Illinois Lawyer Finder

Strategic legal executive with 20+ years of progressive leadership advising municipalities, executive leadership teams, boards, and government entities on complex labor, employment, regulatory, governance, and litigation matters. Proven record in high-risk litigation in Federal court; state court; Labor Board and in front of Arbitrators; negotiating collective bargaining agreements, drafting ordinances and policy frameworks, collections, and serving as trusted legal advisor to senior leadership.

Recognized for aligning legal strategy with operational objectives, risk mitigation, compliance integrity, and fiscal accountability. Experienced in federal and state litigation, public-sector governance, regulatory oversight, contract negotiation, and executive advisory functions. Background includes partnership-level leadership in private practice and senior in-house municipal counsel.
  CORE EXECUTIVE COMPETENCIES

 

• Labor & Employment Strategy
• Executive Advisory & Governance Counsel
• Collective Bargaining & Union Negotiation
• Regulatory & Compliance Oversight
• Municipal & Administrative Law
• Federal & State Litigation Management
• Policy Architecture & Ordinance Drafting
• Risk Mitigation & Investigations
• Board & Commission Advisory
• Contract Negotiation & Drafting

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Deputy Corporation Counsel
City of Bloomington, Illinois | January 2020 – August 2026

Senior in-house legal advisor to municipal leadership and departments, overseeing labor and employment strategy, litigation management, governance compliance, and high-level contract negotiations.
 

• Represent the City in federal, state court and administrative proceedings including EEOC, IDHR, IDOL, IDES, OSHA and Labor Board matters
• Served as primary Labor & Employment counsel advising executive leadership on personnel investigations, compliance exposure, and risk mitigation strategy
• Lead negotiation and drafting of collective bargaining agreements and municipal contracts; real estate contracts and entertainment contract review and drafting.
• Draft ordinances, regulatory frameworks, and policy updates to ensure statutory compliance and operational efficiency
• Design and deliver legal training programs for department heads and leadership teams

Impact: Brought in-house as former outside counsel partner to strengthen institutional legal strategy and reduce external spend while enhancing labor negotiation outcomes.

Partner / Shareholder
Sorling Northrup | Springfield, IL | February 2014 – January 2020

Equity partner representing municipalities, employers, and public entities in complex litigation and governance matters.
 

• Led federal and state litigation for municipal and private clients
• Negotiated labor contracts and advised on employment handbooks and compliance architecture
• Represented clients in regulatory, disciplinary, and civil rights proceedings
• Managed real estate and land-use transactions including zoning, acquisitions, and leasing
• Served as outside General Counsel to townships, park districts, and housing authorities

Impact: Built reputation as trusted municipal strategist, resulting in transition to in-house executive counsel role.


Senior Assistant Corporation Counsel
City of Springfield, Illinois | October 2003 – September 2013

Promoted to Senior Assistant Corporation Counsel in 2010; managed all federal litigation and served as Police Legal Advisor.
 

• First female Police Legal Advisor in Springfield history
• Led federal jury trials and appellate matters
• Negotiated police union contracts
• Advised Civil Service Commission and municipal boards
• Directed code enforcement litigation and supervised staff
• Developed departmental policies and compliance training

 

Additional Legal Experience

Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office – Domestic Violence Chief Prosecutor and Felony Prosecutor
Attorney – Lewis Adams Law Firm
Adjunct Professor & Program Chair – Broadview University
Adjunct Professor – Lincoln College
 

EDUCATION

Juris Doctor
Indiana University School of Law – Indianapolis

Bachelor of Arts
Valparaiso University

Honors include U.S. Department of State Foreign Service Institute Internship and OECD Mission Assignment – U.S. Embassy, Paris.
 

LICENSURE & ADMISSIONS

Illinois (2002)
Utah (2013)
United States Supreme Court
Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals
U.S. District Court – Northern District of Illinois
U.S. District Court – Central District of Illinois
U.S. District Court – Central District of Utah
Certified Mediator, Hearing Officer, and Arbitrator – Illinois State Bar Association
 

PROFESSIONAL LEADERSHIP & SPEAKING

Illinois State Bar Association – Labor & Employment Section; Government Lawyers Committee; Local Government Lawyers Section Council
Illinois Government Lawyers Association – Municipal Prosecutors Section
Frequent presenter at statewide labor relations and employment law conferences, including Chicago-Kent Public Labor Relations Conference and Illinois Municipal League.