Ryan

Trusted advisor and experienced litigator Ryan Gehbauer represents employers of all sizes in his national employment law practice. Providing clients with strategic, insightful counsel, he helps organizations successfully navigate a wide range of workplace issues, disputes and transactions.

Ryan handles matters stemming from all aspects of employment, including wage and hour issues, hiring disputes, background checks and restrictive covenants. He also advises clients on employee terminations and workforce reductions; leaves of absence; workplace investigations and policies; workplace safety and OSHA claims; and complaints of discrimination, retaliation and harassment. Additionally, Ryan brings clients up to speed on non-compete, proper competition and trade secret topics and counsels them on related litigation.

Always taking in the big picture, Ryan thinks strategically and looks for the most effective and efficient paths forward. He enjoys partnering with clients and working as part of their internal leadership, human resources and legal teams to avoid liability and solve problems.

When litigation proves unavoidable, Ryan brings a calm and professional demeanor to the courtroom while vigorously protecting and advancing his clients’ best interests. Flexible and adaptive, he thinks on his feet and adjusts his tactics to fit evolving trial dynamics. Ryan advocates in federal, state and appellate courts, including many appeals before the 7th Circuit. Additionally, he represents clients in arbitrations, mediations and government agency hearings.

On the transactional side of his practice, Ryan offers guidance to health care entities and other businesses and institutions on a full spectrum of employment issues inherent in workplace-altering events such as mergers and acquisitions. He also drafts and negotiates employment and severance agreements, particularly for hospital and other medical institution employers.

In recent years, Ryan has frequently defended employers against claims under the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) and counseled them on avoiding or minimizing liability under it.