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Week of May 20, 2013

 

SANDRA P. ZEMM 2013 WINNER

It gives us great pleasure to announce that Daniel Zapata has been awarded the 2013 Sandra P. Zemm Labor Law Prize. The Prize was established in 2009 at IIT Chicago-Kent by the law firm of Seyfarth Shaw to honor the memory of Sandra P. Zemm, who died in September 2008 after a lengthy battle with cancer.

The Zemm Prize is awarded each year to a graduating senior in the Certificate program who exemplifies the qualities that Ms. Zemm possessed: "a commitment to pursue a career in labor and employment law, a pioneer spirit and willingness to take the initiative wherever possible, and a gracious and generous attitude toward helping those in need." Recipients are selected by the Chicago-Kent faculty who teach in the law school's program in labor and employment law.

Daniel has amply demonstrated a commitment to a career in Labor and employment law, a pioneer spirit, and concern for those in need. Daniel graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington. He received a degree in Political Science with a minor in Mathematics. Daniel has interned with the Cook County State's Attorney's Office, worked as a student-attorney at the Chicago-Kent Low Income Taxpayer Clinic, clerked at Asher, Gittler & D'Alba, externed at the Illinois Labor Relations Board, and is currently a legal intern at the Federal Labor Relations Authority. Prior to entering law school, Daniel worked for United Parcel Service as a payroll and benefits supervisor. Daniel is the current President of the Labor and Employment Law Society and is a Student Editor for the Illinois Public Employee Relations Report. Daniel has also volunteered his time in a variety of ways. Prior to attending law school, Daniel coordinated his office's United Way fundraising activities and served as a volunteer at a homeless shelter and rehabilitation center. Daniel has also volunteered at Special Olympics events since 2005.


A Chicago native, Sandra P. Zemm earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois. She received her J.D. from Florida State University, where she served as managing editor of the law review. Sandra Zemm joined Seyfarth Shaw in 1975 as the first female associate in the Labor and Employment practice. In 1982, Ms. Zemm became the firm's first female equity partner in Labor and Employment. Her practice concentrated on traditional labor matters, and on matters involving employment discrimination, wage-hour, and employment litigation. She negotiated collective bargaining and/or shutdown agreements with major labor unions, and represented management in more than 200 hearings before arbitrators, the National Labor Relations Board and various state labor agencies. In 2002, Ms. Zemm was elected to the American College of Labor and Employment Lawyers.


"Sandy was beloved by her colleagues and clients and respected by her opponents. She was a no-nonsense labor lawyer and an elegant, sophisticated woman at the same time. Her ability to stand up to the toughest adversaries while always carrying herself with style and grace inspired many of us who came to the firm after her," said Allegra Rich, Pro Bono and Philanthropy Partner at Seyfarth Shaw. "This award is our way of keeping her in our thoughts and honoring her legacy."


Seyfarth Shaw has over 750 attorneys located in 10 offices throughout the United States, including: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Sacramento, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., as well as internationally in London. Seyfarth Shaw provides a broad range of legal services in the areas of labor and employment, employee benefits, litigation, corporate, and real estate.

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LELS Executive Board

Joe Sexauer - President
Matthew Jarka - Vice President of External Affairs
Brendan Crowley -Vice President of Internal Affairs
Mike Adler - Secretary
Kelly Carson - Treasurer
Charlie Burns - IIT Director

 

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