Dennis R. Favaro
Top rated Employment Litigation attorney in Village Of Lakewood, Illinois
Favaro & Gorman, Ltd.
Practice areas: Employment Litigation, Employment & Labor; view more
Licensed in Illinois since: 1986
Education: Valparaiso University School of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2009 - 2026 Call today:
847-318-3347
Favaro & Gorman, Ltd.
9510 Turnberry TrailVillage Of Lakewood, IL 60014 Visit website
Details 
Dennis R. Favaro is a principal and managing partner of Favaro & Gorman, Ltd., in the Village of Lakewood, Illinois, where he has practiced law for more than 35 years. Throughout his career, he has represented thousands of clients with a singular focus: using the law as a powerful tool to correct injustice and make a meaningful, positive difference in people’s lives. His practice centers on employment law, an area in which he is known for combining rigorous legal strategy with genuine care for his clients’ livelihoods and identities.
Mr. Favaro earned a Master of Laws degree from the University of Aberdeen School of Law, a Juris Doctor from Valparaiso University School of Law, a Master of Arts from Wheaton College and a Bachelor of Arts from Illinois Wesleyan University. His academic background reflects a lifelong commitment to intellectual growth and thoughtful legal analysis.
Actively involved in numerous professional organizations, Mr. Favaro has memberships in the Illinois State Bar Association, the National Employment Lawyers Association, the Northwest Suburban Bar Association, the McHenry County Bar Association and the Northwest Suburban Bar Association Foundation. He has also founded employment law committees for two bar associations, further demonstrating his leadership within the legal community.
Mr. Favaro’s professional achievements have earned him widespread recognition. He has been named among America’s Top 100 Attorneys in Illinois and recognized as a Leading Illinois and Leading American Attorney in Employment Law. He is a fellow of both the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers and the Litigation Counsel of America.
Admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, multiple federal courts and the state of Illinois, Mr. Favaro is an experienced trial lawyer, litigator and certified mediator. He describes himself as an aggressive advocate with deep compassion for his clients’ needs. In addition to his practice, he teaches employment law and dispute resolution as an adjunct instructor at Wheaton College and serves on the faculty of William Rainey Harper College, sharing his experience with the next generation of legal professionals.
Practice areas
Employment Litigation: Plaintiff, Employment & Labor: EmployeeFocus areas
Employment Discrimination, Employment Law - Employee, Employment Law - Employer, Labor Law, Retaliation, Sexual Harassment, Wage & Hour Laws, Whistleblower, Wrongful Termination
- 70% Employment Litigation: Plaintiff
- 30% Employment & Labor: Employee
First Admitted: 1986, Illinois
Professional Webpage: https://www.favarogorman.com/our-team/dennis-favaro
Bar / Professional Activity
- Northwest Suburban Bar Association Foundation, President, 2012-2015
- Northwest Suburban Bar Association Foundation, Secretary, 1996-2000
- Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA), 1987-1994
- Northwest Suburban Bar Association Foundation, 1996-2000
- National Employment Lawyers Association, 2006-Present
- National Employment Lawyers Association, 1994-2002
- McHenry County Bar Association, 1996-Present
- Northwest Suburban Bar Association, Budget/Finance Committee, Chair, 1999-2001
- Northwest Suburban Bar Association, Employment Law Committee, Chair, 2001-2003, 1997-1999, 1991-1993, 1987-1989
- Northwest Suburban Bar Association, Treasurer, 1999-2000
- Northwest Suburban Bar Association, Second Vice President, 2000-2001
- Northwest Suburban Bar Association, First Vice President, 2001-2002
- Northwest Suburban Bar Association, Executive Vice President, 2002-2003
- Northwest Suburban Bar Association, 1988-Present
- United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois, 1999
- McHenry County Bar Association, Employment Law Committee, Chair, 2001-2003
- Trial Bar, United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, 1989
- United States Supreme Court, 2003
- Northwest Suburban Bar Association, Secretary, 1998 – 2002
- United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, 1987
- Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA), 2012-2016
- Northwest Suburban Bar Association, Director, 2005 – 2012
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, 1987
- National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA), 1994
- Northwest Suburban Bar Association, President, 2003-2004
- State of Illinois, 1986
Special Licenses / Certifications
- Diploma, Advanced Trial Skills, National Institute of Trial Advocacy (NITA), Boulder, Colorado, 1994
- Graduate Certification, Trial Lawyers College, Dubois, Wyoming, 2010
- Certificate, Trial Advocacy, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association - American Trial Lawyers Association (ITLA – ATLA), Northwestern University School of Law, Chicago, Illinois, 1989
- Mediation Certificate, Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) Springfield, Illinois, 2013
- Diploma, Trial Advocacy Skills, National Institute of Trial Advocacy (NITA), Chicago, Illinois, 1990
Pro bono / Community Service
- Mayor's Prayer Breakfast Committee of Crystal Lake, Member, Board of Directors, Legal Advisor, 1993-1996
- Primary Campaign to Elect Al Salvi to United States Senate, Surrogate Speaker, 1995-1996
- Walcamp Outdoor Ministries (not-for-profit ministry and outreach program for children and teens), Member, Board of Directors, Legal Advisor, 1999-2002
- Illinois YMCA Youth and Government, Member, Board of Director, 2006-2012
- Illinois YMCA Youth and Government, Member, Board of Director, 1979-1989
- Prince of Peace Lutheran Church (LCMS), Crystal Lake, Illinois, Board of Elders, 2003-2014
- Prince of Peace Lutheran Church (LCMS), Crystal Lake, Illinois, Member, Board of Education and Constitution Committee, Legal Advisor, Teacher for Confirmation, Sunday School and adult Bible studies
- International Academy of Dispute Resolution (INADR), Member, Board of Directors, 2013-2016
- Prince of Peace Lutheran Church (LCMS), Crystal Lake, Illinois, Member, Executive Board of Directors, 2015-Present
- Prince of Peace Lutheran Church (LCMS), Crystal Lake, Illinois, 1991-Present
- International Academy of Dispute Resolution (INADR), President Elect, 2018-2020
- International Academy of Dispute Resolution (INADR), At-Large Member of Executive Board, 2016-2018
- County Coordinator, Campaign to Elect State Senator Bill Brady, Governor, 2005-2006
- Surrogate Speaker, Campaign (Primary) to Elect Al Salvi to United States Senate, 1996
- County Coordinator, Primary and General Election Campaigns to Elect and Re-Elect Donald Manzullo to United States House of Representatives, 1992-1994
- Co-Founder, Vice President, Buehler YMCA’s Men’s Club (non-profit service outreach to promote YMCA endeavors), 1987-1990, 1987
- Board of Directors, Advisor to High School Student Delegation, YMCA Youth and Government (a non-profit Model State Government Program for High School Students), 2005
- County Coordinator, Campaign to Elect Andy McKenna to United States Senate, 2003-2004
- Board of Directors, American Cancer Society of Northwest Illinois (non-profit organization to raise funds for cancer research and community education) Chair, Corporate Sponsor Fundraising Committee, 1992-1993
- Board of Directors, CEDA Northwest (non-profit Community Economic Development Association providing transitional social and support services), Member, Board of Directors, 1988-1992, 1988
- Board of Directors, International Academy of Dispute Resolution (INADR), 2013-Present
- Precinct Committeeman, Grafton Township, McHenry County, 2004-2005
- Campaign to Elect Jim Ryan to Attorney General of Illinois, County Coordinator, 1993-1994
- Board of Directors, Legal Advisor, McHenry County Coalition for the Homeless a/k/a McHenry County PADS, Inc. (non-profit organization providing food and shelter to the homeless, needy and temporarily displaced), Member, Board of Directors, Legal Advisor, 1989-1992
- Advisor, Judicial Program Coordinator, YMCA, Youth & Government (non-profit Model State Government Program for High School Students), 1986-1989, 1986
Educational Background
- Wheaton College, Master of Arts, 2017
- Illinois Wesleyan University, Bachelor of Arts, 1983
- University of Aberdeen School of Law, Master of Laws
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- The Role of an Advocate at Mediation (March 2019) training and lecture presented at the 2019, INADR Annual Law School Mediation Tournament and American College of Greece
- Panelist, “Critelli Law’s End of Year Webinar”: relevant mediation topics. (Nov. 11-12, 2019).
- Advocacy at Mediation: Training, Perspectives and Preparation (December 2019) topical lecture and panel member at the International Mediation Competition, 3rd Edition, sponsored by the International Academy of Dispute Resolution, and the University of Bialystok, Poland.
- The Role of an Advocate in Mediation: Perspectives and Recommendations (March 2020). Training lecture presented at the 2020 International Academy of Dispute Resolution, Annual Law School Mediation Tournament, Loyola University School of Law.
- It’s Not About Winning: Effective Mediation Strategies for the Advocate (April 2021). Zoom - virtual presentation; XX International Law School Mediation Tournament, INADR / University of Georgia, Tbilisi, Georgia.
- Opening Statements and Effective Advocacy in Mediation (March 2021). Zoom - virtual presentation; 9th Annual NLIU INADR Law School Mediation Tournament and Training. Bhopal, India.
- Sexual Harassment / Time’s Up (August 2018) topical presentation, Association of Illinois Public Retirement Systems Annual Conference, Chicago, Illinois
- 7th Circuit Fellows’ Fall Program for Law Students: Pathways to Practice (October 2018) panel member / speaker on employee practice. The College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, Chicago, Illinois
- Addressing and Preventing Workplace Violence: Factors to Consider (February 2019) Lecture for MRA 2019 Employment Law Update – Iowa / Illinois and federal, Bettendorf, Iowa; Illinois and federal, Palatine, Illinois
- Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure in the Context of Settlement Agreements: New Law and Trends (January 2020) topical lecture for the Civil Practice Section, McHenry County Bar Association, Woodstock, Illinois
- Wage and Hour: What are the Top 10 Mistakes Employers Make? (February 2020) lecture/presentation for MRA, 2020 Employment Law Update and panel member, Bettendorf, Iowa
- Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure Agreements: The New Transparency Act (March 2020) topical lecture for the Northwest Suburban Bar Association Continuing Legal Education Seminar, Legal Education Seminar, Arlington Heights, Illinois
- Recognizing and Responding to Sexual Harassment: A Primer on the Workplace Transparency Act from the Employee Perspective (November 2020). Zoom Webinar. Sponsored by Prairie State College, Chicago Heights, Illinois
- Employment Law for School Superintendents (January 2021) guest speaker, doctoral class on Illinois superintendent licensures, Concordia University, Chicago
- Current Employment Law Issues (June 1992) presentation of topical materials for the Chicago Area Photo Lab Association, Schaumburg, Illinois
- Current Employment Law Issues (June 1992) presentation of topical materials for the Palatine Chamber of Commerce, Palatine, Illinois
- Employment at Will: Emerging Exceptions, (February 1992) presentation of topical paper and panel member for the Northwest Suburban Bar Association Continuing Legal Education Seminar, Arlington Heights, Illinois
- Employment Law Update (July 1998) presentation of topical materials for the Marengo — Union Chamber of Commerce, Marengo, Illinois
- Your Rights as a Cancer Patient (October 1993, 1995-1997) presentation of topical materials for Northwest Community Hospital, Arlington Heights, Illinois
- Sexual Harassment Claims After Harris v. Forklift Systems, Inc.: a Lessening of Standards? (January 1994) presentation of topical paper for the Northwest Suburban Bar Association Continuing Legal Education Seminar, Arlington Heights, Illinois
- Employment Issues for the General Practitioner (May 1996) presentation of topical paper and panel member for the Northwest Suburban Bar Association Continuing Legal Education Seminar, Arlington Heights, Illinois
- Employment Law Overview (November 1996) presentation of topical materials for the Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce, Crystal Lake, Illinois
- Employment Law Update (February 1997) presentation of topical materials for ParaSource, Inc., seminar for paralegals, Chicago, Illinois
- Retaliation as an Exception to the At-Will Employment Doctrine (April 2005) presentation of topical materials for the Illinois Paralegal Association, Spring Education Conference, Chicago, Illinois
- New Standards for Sexual Harassment: Employer Duties /Employee Rights (February1999) presentation of topical materials for the Broomfield Chamber of Commerce and Norwest Bank, Broomfield, Colorado
- New Standards för Liability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (November 1999) presentation of topical materials and panel member for the Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce and Crystal Lake Economic Development Committee, Crystal Lake, Illinois
- Covenants Not to Compete and Related Restrictive Covenants (February 2002) presentation of topical paper and panel member for the Northwest Suburban Bar Association Continuing Legal Education Seminar, Arlington Heights, Illinois
- An Overview of Federal Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Claims and Defenses, (August 2003 and August 2002), presentation of topical materials and guest lecturer for National Lewis University, Public Safety Law and Civil Liability Course, Palos Hills, Illinois
- Retaliation Claims: Employment Law from A to Z in Illinois (April 2004) presentation of topical paper and panel member for Lorman Education Services Continuing Legal Education Seminar for Lawyers and Human Resource Professionals, Lisle, Illinois
- Retaliation Claims: Employment Law from A to Z in Illinois (May 2004) presentation of topical paper and panel member for Lorman Education Services Continuing Legal Education Seminar to Lawyers and Human Resource Professionals, Rockford, Illinois
- Running the Discrimination Gauntlet: Age and Disability Discrimination from Start to Finish (February 2005) presentation of topical paper and panel member for the Northwest Suburban Bar Association, Continuing Legal Education Seminar, Arlington Heights, Illinois
- Discrimination in the Workplace: What Does this Mean in Legal Terms? (March 2010) presentation of topical subject material for the American Association of University Women, Crystal Lake branch, Crystal Lake, Illinois
- Selected Employment Law Issues (June 2005) presentation of topical paper for the Illinois State Bar Association, Committee on Law Office Economics and Management, Annual Convention, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
- Employment Discrimination and Harassment (March 2006) presentation of topical paper and panel member for Penton Media Group, Fire Chief Keys to Leadership Legal Issues Seminar, Chicago, Illinois
- Employee Rights Under Illinois Workers' Compensation Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (February 2007) presentation of topical paper for the Local AFL-CIO Conference, Gurnee, Illinois
- What Every Real Estate Lawyer Should Know About Employment Law (February 2008) presentation of topical paper for the Professional National Title Network Continuing Legal Education Seminar, Arlington Heights, Illinois
- What Every Illinois-Based Professional Office or Small Business Should Know About Employment Law (August 2007) presentation of topical materials and panel member for Lorman Education Services Continuing Education Seminar for Lawyers and Human Resource Professionals, Chicago, Illinois
- What Every Illinois-Based Professional Office or Small Business Should Know About Employment Law (September 2007) presentation of topical paper and panel member for Lorman Education Services Continuing Legal Education Seminar for Lawyers and Human Resource Professionals, Elk Grove Village, Illinois
- What Every Real Estate Lawyer Should Know About Employment Law (February 2008) presentation of topical paper for the Professional National Title Network Continuing Legal Education Seminar, Arlington Heights, Illinois
- The Tort of Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress in the Context of Employment (May 2009) presentation of topical paper for the Northwest Suburban Bar Association Continuing Legal Education Seminar, Arlington Heights, Illinois
- The Regulated Workplace: Recent Employment Laws (June 2009) presentation of topical subject material for The Rotary Club of Long Grove, Illinois
- The Tort of Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress in the Context of Employment (April 2012) presentation of topical paper for the Kane County Bar Association, Employment and Labor Law Continuing Legal Education Seminar, Geneva, Illinois
- mat Every General Practitioner Should Know About Employment Law (December 2010) presentation of topical materials and panel member for the McHenry County Bar Association, Continuing Legal Education Seminar, Woodstock, Illinois
- Retaliation Claims Under State Law: Recent Developments (March 2011) presentation of topical paper for the Kane County Bar Association, 2011 Employment and Labor Law Continuing Legal Education Seminar, Geneva, Illinois
- Employment Law Update in Illinois (March 2012) presentation of topical paper for Lorman Education Services Continuing Education Seminar for Lawyer and Human Resource Professionals, Schaumburg, Illinois
- The Role of the Advocate at Mediation (March 2017) topical lecture at the 16th Annual International Law School Tournament, Strathclyde University, Glasgow, Scotland
- Current Employment Law Update (May 2012) presentation of topical paper for the DDS Crew Study Club, Barrington, Illinois
- Litigation of Claims Involving Employment Handbooks (May 2014) presentation of topical paper for the Kane County Bar Association, 2014 Employment and Labor Law Continuing Legal Education Seminar, Geneva, Illinois
- What are an Employment Lawyer's Objectives in the Mediation of an Employment Case? (October 2014) presentation of topical paper and panel member for the InterNational Academy of Dispute Resolution, World Congress for Drake University School of Law, Des Moines, Iowa
- What are an Employment Lawyer's Objectives in the Mediation of an Employment Case? (November 2014) presentation of topical paper for the Northwest Suburban Bar Association Continuing Legal Education Seminar, Arlington Heights, Illinois
- Bonus and Commission Compensation Upon Termination: Employee Rights (May 2013) presentation of topical paper for the Kane County Bar Association, 2013 Employment and Labor Law Continuing Legal Education Seminar, Geneva, Illinois
- Litigation of Claims Involving Employment Handbooks (November 2013) presentation of topical paper for the Northwest Suburban Bar Association, Continuing Legal Education Seminar, Arlington Heights, Illinois
- Litigation of Claims Involving Employment Handbooks (May 2014) presentation of topical paper for the Kane County Bar Association, 2014 Employment and Labor Law Continuing Legal Education Seminar, Geneva, Illinois
- What are an Employment Lawyer's Objectives in the Mediation of an Employment Case? (October 2014) presentation of topical paper and panel member for the InterNational Academy of Dispute Resolution, World Congress for Drake University School of Law, Des Moines, Iowa
- What are an Employment Lawyer's Objectives in the Mediation of an Employment Case? (November 2014) presentation of topical paper for the Northwest Suburban Bar Association Continuing Legal Education Seminar, Arlington Heights, Illinois
- Top 10 List of What a Mediator Should Not Do in Mediation (November 2015) topical lecture and panel member for the InterNational Academy of Dispute Resolution, World Congress, Drake University Law School, Des Moines, Iowa
- Harassment, Retaliation and Discrimination: Rights and Reprimands (February 2016) presentation of topical paper for Sterling Education Services Continuing Education Seminar for Lawyers and Human Resource Professionals, Addison, Illinois
- Individual Liability Under State and Federal Statutory Law and Illinois Case Law in the Employment Context (November 2016) presentation of topical paper for the Northwest Suburban Bar Association Continuing Legal Education Seminar, Arlington Heights, Illinois
- William Rainey Harper College, Palatine, Illinois, Adjunct Faculty,Business Law I, Business Law Il, Employment Law, Legal Environment of Business, Hospitality Law, 1988-Present
- Advocacy at Mediation (April 2017) topical lecture and panel member for the McHenry County Bar Association Continuing Legal Education Seminar, Woodstock, Illinois
- Overview of Workplace Laws Affecting Public Employers (January 2018) presentation of topical paper for the Kane County Bar Association Continuing Legal Education Seminar, Geneva, Illinois
- Mediation of Employment Law Cases (March 2018) topical lecture presented at an annual meeting of the InterNational Academy of Dispute Resolution, World Congress, Loyola University School of Law, Chicago
- It's a New Day: Identifying and Managing Workplace Sexual Harassment and Discrimination (April 2018) topical presentation and workshop leader at Prairie State College, Chicago, Illinois
- Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois, Guest Instructor, Adjunct Faculty, Employment Law, Mediation Team Coach, 2017-Present
Honors
- America's Top 100 Attorneys (Illinois), 2018- Present
- Super Lawyer (Illinois) in Employment Law, 2009- Present
- Fellow, College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, 2017-Present
- Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America, 2017— Present
- Leading Illinois Attorney in Employment Law, 1996-1997
- Top Rated Employment Litigation Attorney in Palatine, IL, 2009
- Leading American Attorney in Employment Law, 1994—1996
Office location for Dennis R. Favaro
9510 Turnberry Trail
Village Of Lakewood, IL 60014
Phone: 847-318-3347
Selections
18 Years Super Lawyers
- Super Lawyers: 2009 - 2026
