The basics of “Employment Law for the General Practitioner” will be provided by the ISBA Labor and Employment Law Section during a Law Ed seminar from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19, at the UBS Tower Conference Center, Chicago. (MCLE accredited 3.0 hours)

Clinical Prof. Richard J. Gonzalez of the Chicago-Kent College of Law will be the speaker for the first two sessions, on the following topics.

9 a.m. – Filing Charges in the Administrative Agencies: Nuts and Bolts, including Administrative Agency Basics and Understanding Agency Statutes of Limitation.

9:30 a.m. – Identifying Statutory Causes of Action: Elements and Prerequisites for a Cause of Action, including protections and eligibilities of the ADEA, ADA, FMLA, VESSA and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Michael H. Cramer of Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, Chicago, will speak at 10 a.m. on a variety of issues related to State Court Claims.

Topics are the potential for personal liability, as opposed to solely employer liability, in incidents of Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress, Defamation, and Aggravated Sexual Assault and Battery.

Sherrie Travis of Wildman, Harrold, Allen & Dixon, Chicago, will speak at 11 a.m. on Responding to the Complaint or Charge of Discrimination.

She will cover thorough investigation of facts, assessment of personal damages, and possible use of arbitration or mediation.

John C. Hendrickson, regional attorney for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Chicago, will speak at 11:45 a.m. on Ethical Considerations in Practicing Law in the Employment Arena.

He will discuss running up fees with summary judgment motions, scaring plaintiffs with immigration status inquiries, insistence on impossible settlement terms, and what to do when a plaintiff's case goes south.

The seminar will conclude with a 15-minute question and answer period at 12:15 p.m.

Program coordinators and moderators are section council members Cathy A. Pilkington of the Law Offices of Cathy A. Pilkington, Chicago and Kathryn M. Woodward of the Sara Lee Food Corp., Downers Grove.