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Sean F. Darke

Member

Sean Darke is an employment and labor litigator whose legal services go far beyond defending businesses in the courtroom. In both union and non-union environments, businesses look to him to resolve matters ranging from everyday workplace disagreements to high-stakes, high-exposure lawsuits.

Beyond the financial exposure and public reputational hits associated with litigation, Sean helps clients navigate everyday employment issues that impact workplace productivity, morale, and resources. Sean provides counsel to his clients early on to avoid risk on the front end by reviewing and drafting employment contracts, instituting arbitration provisions and procedures, anticipating potential claims, and providing practical guidance to avoid liability. When disagreements become disputes, he appears in state and federal courts, dispute resolution forums, and agency tribunals to vigorously defend businesses and deliver practical solutions.

Sean represents an array of diverse businesses and decision-makers who include owners and founders, C-suite executives, corporate officers and directors, general counsel, and human resource managers. The sizes of those companies vary from small businesses to corporations with thousands of workers worldwide.

Through his relationship with various business associations, Sean has produced multiple employment law publications and webinars to help businesses anticipate and avoid employment issues. Many of those companies have then hired him to represent them in engagements that continue today.

Outside the employment space, he defends class actions involving financial services.  In addition, Sean has defended multiple class actions involving the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act, as well as, speaking on the topic throughout the state of Illinois to ensure that Illinois businesses are protected.

Clients quickly recognize and value Sean’s honesty and straightforward approach. They appreciate his astute business judgment as much as his legal counsel and know his interest extends far beyond his legal services. More than a lawyer, Sean is his clients’ trusted partner in areas that extend beyond employment and labor matters.

“Workplace issues occur on a daily basis, so it’s imperative that my clients have immediate access to an employment and labor attorney to thoroughly discuss each matter and resolve the potential risk. My job is to rid them of distractions and let them get back to what they do best—manage their businesses.”
    • Michigan State University College of Law, J.D., 2004
    • University of Dublin College of Law through Duquesne University of Law, 2003
    • State University of New York, Potsdam, B.A., Business Economics, 2001

  • Bar Admissions

    • Illinois
    • Michigan
    • Trial Bar for the Northern District of Illinois

  • Court Admissions

    • United States Court of Appeals, Third Circuit
    • United States Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
    • United States District Courts, Northern District of Illinois,
    • United States District Courts, Central District of Illinois
    • United States District Courts, Northern District of Indiana

    • Named to Lawdragon's "500 Leading Corporate Employment Lawyers" List, 2025

    • Recognized by Michigan Lawyers Weekly, "Go To Lawyers" for Employment Law, 2024

    • Selected as an Illinois Leading Lawyer annually since 2017 by peers in the practice area of employment and labor law, a designation received by fewer than five percent of all lawyers licensed in Illinois

    • Selected to the Super Lawyers Chicago, Illinois Rising Stars list 2014-2016 in the practice area of Employment and Labor, a designation received by fewer than 2.5 percent of attorneys in the state

    • American Bar Association

    • Chicago Bar Association

    • Illinois Bar Association

    • Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Business Advisory Committee

Contact

Bloomfield Hills248-203-0755
Chicago312-876-1700

Latest News and Insights

Webinars8.22.24

Major Changes Coming to Michigan’s Minimum Wage and Sick Time Laws – Be Prepared!

The Michigan Supreme Court’s July 31, 2024 decision in Mothering Justice v. Attorney General has…

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Speaking Engagements5.8.24

Understanding Employment Law Pitfalls for 2024

Sean Darke and Abad Lopez will serve as featured presenters for the Illinois Chamber seminar,…

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Webinars5.2.24

New U.S. DOL Rules Explained: Will Your Workforce Be in Compliance?

Join Dykema employment and labor attorneys Rob Boonin and Sean Darke as they discuss the DOL new…

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