Chicago, IL. Nixon Peabody LLP has expanded its Labor & Employment practice with the addition of Sarah K. Quinn, who joins as a partner in the firm’s Chicago office.
Sarah brings extensive experience spanning both private practice at large law firms and in-house roles to help employers navigate across the full spectrum of workforce challenges. Serving as a workforce problem-solver for job creators, Sarah provides reactive support when issues arise—including navigating complex internal investigations, employee claims, agency actions, and high-stakes employment litigation—and proactive guidance that includes compliance counseling, policy development, training, and strategic workforce planning. Sarah advises a diverse range of clients, from small businesses to high-profile entertainment groups, with a particular focus on the restaurant and hospitality industry. She provides practical, business-aligned guidance on complex regulatory requirements and day-to-day operational challenges.
“Sarah’s deep experience in employment litigation and strategic counseling, combined with her entrepreneurial mindset, makes her a tremendous addition to our practice,” said Jeffrey Gilbreth, leader of Nixon Peabody’s Labor & Employment practice. “We’re excited to welcome her to the firm and look forward to introducing her to our clients and colleagues.”
Sarah handles appeals in the US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit and has extensive experience litigating Fair Labor Standard Act (FLSA) collective actions, state wage-and-hour class actions, non-compete claims, and employee misclassification in state and federal courts. She also represents clients before administrative boards such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR). Sarah previously served as assistant general counsel to one of the nation’s largest school districts and as a federal law clerk in the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
“Sarah will be an excellent cultural fit for our firm and our Chicago office,” said David R. Brown, managing partner of Nixon Peabody’s Chicago office. “As our litigation teams continue to grow, her knowledge of the Chicago market and reputation in the community further strengthen our ability to serve clients locally and nationally.”
Sarah earned her JD from Notre Dame Law School, her MA from Johns Hopkins University, and her BA from the University of Iowa. She was selected for inclusion in Chambers USA for 2026 in the field of Labor & Employment and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for 2024 and 2025 in the field of Litigation – Labor and Employment. Sarah was also named to Benchmark Litigation’s “40 & Under” list for 2024 and 2025, and recognized by Law Bulletin Media’s 2023 “40 Under Forty: Illinois Attorneys to Watch” list.
