Women in Law 2023

2023

HEATHER BECKER PARTNER Laner Muchin

H eather Becker is a labor and employment attorney with Laner Muchin’s Litigation practice group. Over the past 20 years, Heather has solidified her reputation as a knowledgeable, reliable resource for her clients. A self-assured and effective communicator, she champions equitable outcomes for employers and employees alike. Heather has a knack for quickly identifying the key issues of a matter without losing sight of the humanity at the core of every employment dispute. She has significant experience in matters related to discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wage payment, civil rights, constitutionality, whistleblowers and employment contracts. Heather represents employers from the public and private sectors before federal and state courts, as well as administrative agencies. Despite her strength as a litigator, Heather’s primary goal is to anticipate and prevent workplace conflict through internal investigations and effective counseling whenever possible. When disputes do arise, she facilitates candid communication amongst all parties. By developing trusting relationships with her clients from the start, Heather is able to help them achieve their goals and resolve matters efficiently. Heather’s crusade for humane workplaces starts at Laner, where she actively contributes to an environment of growth and inclusion. As the chair of Laner College, she helps her colleagues remain at the cutting edge of their respective practice areas, staying up to date

with the latest trends in employment law and legal strategy. Heather is also the chair of Laner’s mentorship program, where she maintains systematic support and inclusion for newer attorneys pursuing professional growth. She champions workplace integrity through her work with Laner’s Ethics Committee. Outside of Laner, Heather hosts roundtables and seminars on issues such as the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act for the Society for Human Resources Management, Chicago Chapter. She also recently served as a panelist for the American Conference Institute, discussing post-pandemic workplace issues. Heather is a widely published thought leader who contributes to Chicago SHRM’s newsletter and has appeared in the ABA Section of Litigation, Employment and Labor Relations Newsletter, the Illinois Bar Journal and the Annual Institute on Employment Law Treatises. In her spare time, Heather volunteers with Cradles to Crayons and Lakeview Food Pantry, ensuring her neighbors have the food and clothing they need to get through harsh Chicago winters. She also engages in pro bono work and recently spent over 100 hours helping a client appeal an application for disability benefits. Heather has received recognition from Law Bulletin Media, Illinois Super Lawyers, Illinois Leading Lawyers, and Best Lawyers. She obtained her JD from DePaul University College of Law, where she served as Editor-in-Chief of the DePaul Law Review, was elected to the Order of the Coif and graduated summa cum laude.

WOMEN IN LAW 2023