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