Laura B. Bacon

In the News

• Privacy & Cybersecurity Law Report

  NP thought leadership in leading journal

  This industry journal, which covers the latest legal issues involving cybersecurity and data privacy, includes two NP articles based on client alerts. Complex Disputes practice group leader John Ruskusky, partners Rich Tilghman and Laura Bacon, and associate Kate Letcher, all in Chicago, contributed an article entitled, “The Seventh Circuit certifies question regarding accrual of BIPA claims to Illinois Supreme Court.” John and Rich also contributed a second article, “Workers’ Compensation Act does not bar claims under the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act, Illinois Supreme Court rules.” Both pieces provide insight on the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act and its litigation impacts to date.
  March 21, 2022
• Chicago Daily Law Bulletin

  7th circuit assesses class certification for disparate impact discrimination claims

  Chicago Complex Commercial Disputes partner Laura Bacon contributed this article covering the Seventh Circuit’s recent decision regarding a class-action lawsuit alleging discriminatory hiring practices for correctional officers in Cook County, Illinois. She details the court’s rationale for vacating a previous ruling and what it means for class certification criteria.
  Jan 20, 2022
• Crain’s Chicago Business

  Notable Rising Stars in Law

  Chicago Complex Commercial Disputes partner Laura Bacon has been named to the publication’s “Notable Rising Stars in Law” list and is featured in a Q&A article on a recent litigation win, her pro bono work and community involvement, and organizations she’s passionate about.
  Sep 9, 2021
• Law360

  Illinois attorneys hope virtual hearings will endure post-pandemic

  This article on the efficiencies gained through virtual hearings quotes Chicago Complex Commercial Disputes partner Laura Bacon for her thoughts on time saved from commuting to county courts and training opportunities for more junior attorneys. Laura is also quoted on her outlook on being able to present a motion and make an argument in person in a courtroom, when health guidelines permit.
  March 12, 2021
• Chicago Daily Law Bulletin

  Postmates' challenge must be arbitrated; decision appealed

  Chicago Complex Commercial Disputes partner Laura Bacon contributed article for her outlook on the case relating to the employee classification of the online delivery platform’s couriers.
  Sep 3, 2020
• Crain’s Chicago

  People on the Move

  This roundup of personnel moves in the Chicago business world highlights the promotion of Chicago Complex Commercial Disputes partner Laura Bacon, who is part of NP’s new partner class for 2020.
  Feb 24, 2020
• The Deal

  Movers & Shakers

  This column of notable executive moves in the legal industry included a write-up on the promotion of Nixon Peabody’s 2020 new partner class: Laura Bacon, Shariff Barakat, Katie Baynes, Robert Fisher, Kimberly Harding, Brian Mahoney, Sonia Nayak, Dara Newman Histed, Morgan Nighan, Chris Porzio, Rachel Pugliese, Dana Roper, and Peter Trimarchi.
  Feb 4, 2020
• Reuters Legal

  Career Tracker: Lawyers on the Move

  This roundup of personnel moves in the legal industry highlights the 13 members of Nixon Peabody’s 2020 new partner class: Laura Bacon, Shariff Barakat, Katie Baynes, Robert Fisher, Kimberly Harding, Brian Mahoney, Sonia Nayak, Dara Newman Histed, Morgan Nighan, Chris Porzio, Rachel Pugliese, Dana Roper and Peter Trimarchi.
  Feb 3, 2020
• Chicago Daily Law Bulletin

  7th Circuit clarifies pleading standard for bias claims

  Chicago Complex Commercial Disputes partner-elect Laura Bacon wrote this contributed article analyzing the 7th Circuit’s latest ruling in a Department of Veterans Affairs employment discrimination case that has lasted for more than 10 years.

  Jan 23, 2020
• Chicago Daily Law Bulletin

  Overly broad post-employment restrictive covenants unenforceable

  Chicago Complex Commercial Disputes associate Laura Bacon wrote this contributed article analyzing a recent Illinois Appellate Court decision that found that the plaintiff, a wholesale seafood company, could not enforce the overly restrictive post-employment contract it had signed with a former sales associate.
  Aug 7, 2019
• Chicago Daily Law Bulletin

  Noncompete covenant gets quick exit; pact termed unenforceable

  Chicago Complex Commercial Disputes associate Laura Bacon authored this article about the Illinois Appellate Courts affirming the dismissal of an employer's suit to enforce post-employment restrictive covenants. This sends a strong message to Illinois employers on the unenforceability of overly broad geographic and activity restrictions.

  Aug 7, 2019
• Crain’s Chicago Business

  The gender pay gap won’t fix itself

  Chicago Complex Commercial Disputes associate Laura Bacon wrote this contributed article analyzing the US Women’s Soccer team’s battle for equal pay, and highlighting their remarkable record of success on the pitch.
  July 11, 2019
• Chicago Daily Law Bulletin

  Employer zero-tolerance drug policies put into question

  Chicago Complex Commercial Disputes associate Laura Bacon authored this article about the issues employers may face related to marijuana use policies and drug testing, as more states pass recreational and medical cannabis laws.

  April 25, 2019
• Chicago Daily Law Bulletin

  Poorly pleaded discrimination case leaves court, defendants peeved

  Chicago Complex Commercial Disputes associate Laura Bacon wrote this contributed article analyzing a recent Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals ruling, which affirmed a lower court’s decision to dismiss with prejudice an employment discrimination suit in which the plaintiffs repeatedly failed to amend flaws in their filings.
  Feb 13, 2019
• Medium.com

  Growing up as a Title IX kid

  Chicago Complex Commercial Disputes associate Laura Bacon authored this column about women and leadership in the legal industry. She recaps her experience at an ALAS conference focused on advancing women in law firm leadership and how discussions about implicit bias and inclusion—inside and outside the law firm—are helping create concrete solutions for the future.
  Feb 1, 2019
• Chicago Daily Law Bulletin

  Second chance on retaliation claim due to suspicious timing

  Chicago Complex Commercial Disputes associate Laura Bacon wrote this contributed article analyzing a 7th Circuit Court of Appeals decision to reverse a summary judgment finding in the matter of a woman who claims she was fired from her company under false pretenses after reporting the sexual harassment of a colleague.
  Nov 29, 2018
• Law360

  EEOC's Costco case sheds light on Title VII liability

  Chicago Complex Commercial Disputes associate Laura Bacon and Labor & Employment associate Brittany Bogaerts, co-wrote this contributed article analyzing a Seventh Circuit ruling that held Costco responsible for a hostile work environment created by a customer harassing an employee.
  Nov 15, 2018
• Chicago Daily Law Bulletin

  Threats on social media draw sanctions

  Chicago Complex Commercial Disputes associate Laura Bacon authored this article about a recent opinion issued by the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals related to a Title VII action filed by a former Cook County Department of Corrections officer against her employer and how the plaintiff’s Facebook post during the litigation impacted the case.
  Sep 4, 2018
• Chicago Daily Law Bulletin

  Be cautious with settlement releases

  Chicago Complex Commercial Disputes associate Laura Bacon wrote this contributed article on a California employment discrimination matter that offers important lessons for employers entering into settlement agreements.
  July 2, 2018
• Chicago Daily Law Bulletin

  Some work environments, hostile as advertised, are not actionable

  Chicago commercial litigation associate Laura Bacon wrote this article analyzing a recent claim of hostile work environment brought by an employee of the Illinois Department of Human Services.
  April 19, 2018
• Law360

  When employers are liable for nonemployee conduct

  Chicago Commercial Litigation associate Laura Bacon and Chicago Labor & Employment associate Brittany Bogaerts co-authored this column about how the conduct of nonemployees in the work place could present employers with potential liability.
  Nov 1, 2016
• Inc. Magazine

  5 Surprising Things You Should Know About Generation Z

  Labor & Employment practice group co-leader Stacie Collier and Chicago associate Laura Bacon provide commentary throughout this piece discussing how Generation Z is impacting business.
  May 13, 2016
• Law360

  How EEOC's Costco Case Impacts Customer Harassment Claims

  Chicago associates Laura Bacon and Brittany Bogaerts co-authored this column noting that EEOC v. Costco serves as a reminder that employers may be held responsible for customer harassment of employees and that hostile work environment claims are not limited to claims of harassment by other employees.
  Jan 19, 2016
• Chicago Tribune

  Should Workers Get Overtime for Answering Emails After Hours?

  Chicago Commercial Litigation associate Laura Bacon provides third-party commentary on increasing litigation risks and greater need for employers to establish clear policies surrounding work-related communication by employees.
  July 17, 2015