UmaChandrasekaran
Partner
Labor & Employment
uchandrasekaran@seyfarth.com
Uma helps employers resolve complex employment disputes and manage risk through practical, cost effective litigation and counseling strategies aligned with long term business goals.
More About Uma
When employment disputes arise, companies need more than standard legal answers—they need creative, strategic, and cost effective solutions aligned with their business objectives. Uma partners closely with her clients to understand both their immediate legal challenges and long term goals, developing practical strategies that advance both. She puts her clients’ business interests first, using the law as a powerful tool to help them move forward with confidence.
Uma has extensive litigation experience defending employers against a wide range of employment claims, including claims of age, sex, race, national origin, disability, and retaliation under Title VII, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Equal Pay Act. She brings deep trial and appellate experience to every case and has successfully tried numerous jury and bench trials, as well as arbitrations.
She also works proactively with clients to reduce litigation risk, advising on day-to-day workplace legal issues. Her counseling experience includes drafting employee policies and handbooks, conducting workplace policy audits, and delivering anti‑harassment training for employees and managers. A significant portion of Uma’s practice is dedicated to conducting workplace investigations, including allegations of serious misconduct against high-level executives, as well as advising clients on post-investigation steps, such as discipline, training, and implementation of new policies and best practices.
Uma serves as co-lead of the Chicago Inclusion Committee, where she provides strategic leadership for the office’s inclusion initiatives. Uma values the opportunity to collaborate with firm leadership to advance the firm’s inclusion goals and to help embed these principles meaningfully into firm and office culture.
Uma has extensive litigation experience defending employers against a wide range of employment claims, including claims of age, sex, race, national origin, disability, and retaliation under Title VII, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Equal Pay Act. She brings deep trial and appellate experience to every case and has successfully tried numerous jury and bench trials, as well as arbitrations.
She also works proactively with clients to reduce litigation risk, advising on day-to-day workplace legal issues. Her counseling experience includes drafting employee policies and handbooks, conducting workplace policy audits, and delivering anti‑harassment training for employees and managers. A significant portion of Uma’s practice is dedicated to conducting workplace investigations, including allegations of serious misconduct against high-level executives, as well as advising clients on post-investigation steps, such as discipline, training, and implementation of new policies and best practices.
Uma serves as co-lead of the Chicago Inclusion Committee, where she provides strategic leadership for the office’s inclusion initiatives. Uma values the opportunity to collaborate with firm leadership to advance the firm’s inclusion goals and to help embed these principles meaningfully into firm and office culture.
- JD, University of Illinois College of Law
Legal Research and Writing honors
Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition best oralist - BA, Smith College
Government and Russian LiteratureDean's list, 1996-2000
- Illinois
- US Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
- US Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
- US Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
- US District Court, District of Colorado
- US District Court, Central District of Illinois
- US District Court, Northern District of Illinois
- US District Court, Southern District of Illinois
- US District Court, Northern District of Indiana
- US District Court, Southern District of Indiana
- US District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
- US District Court, Western District of Michigan
Related Services
Representative Class and Collective Actions
- Nationwide class action for gender discrimination alleging denial of promotions against a national retailer
- EEOC alleged a pattern and practice of racial harassment and discrimination against an international shipping and logistics company.
- Multiplaintiff case involving financial executives alleging defamation and violations of the FCRA against an insurance company
- Multistate wage-hour class action alleging failure to pay overtime against an oil and gas company
- EEOC application to enforce an administrate subpoena attempting to convert a single charge into systemic class allegations against a staffing company
Representative Single-Plaintiff Litigation and Charges
- Disability discrimination and FMLA retaliation case filed against a national retailer
- Age discrimination and retaliation case filed against a beverage manufacturer
- Age harassment and disability discrimination case filed against a national retailer
- Sex harassment and retaliation case filed against a staffing company
Related News & Insights
-
Legal Update
Jun 5, 2023
Reminder: Looming June 30, 2023 Sexual Harassment Training Deadlines for Chicago Employers
-
Seyfarth Event
Sep 28, 2022
Best Practices and Considerations for Employee Demand Letters, Charges and Early-Stage Lawsuits
-
Webinar
May 27, 2021
Breaking Barriers & Building Bridges
-
Webinar Recording
Mar 16, 2021
Webinar Recording: Now What!? Mid-West State of Employment - What’s In Store in 2021?
- Named among the "Top 15 Business Women in Illinois" by the Illinois Diversity Council (2017)
- Named to Lawyers of Color's "Nation's Best 2019" list
- National Employment Law Council
- Leadership Council on Legal Diversity
- South Asian Bar Association of Chicago
- South Asian Bar Association of North American
- American Bar Association
- Co-Author, "Reminder: Looming June 30, 2023 Sexual Harassment Training Deadlines for Chicago Employers," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 5, 2023)
- Co-Author, "Chicago Amends and Clarifies Its COVID-19 Anti-Retaliation Ordinance," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 14, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Chicago Passes COVID-19 Anti-Retaliation Ordinance," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 29, 2020)
- “Ban the Box: What Illinois Employers Need to Know,” Illinois Business Leader Magazine (April 2015)
- “Tackling Workplace Bullying: Lessons from the Miami Dolphin’s Locker Room,” Seyfarth Shaw Employment Law Lookout Blog (November 2013)
- “Social Media and Confidentiality in Workplace Investigations,” Seyfarth Shaw Employment Law Lookout Blog (October 2013)
- “Taking the Bull by the Horns: Is Workplace Bullying the Next Major Battleground in Employment Law?” Seyfarth Shaw Employment Law Lookout Blog (September 2013)
- Co-Presenter, "Best Practices and Considerations for Employee Demand Letters, Charges and Early-Stage Lawsuits," Seyfarth Event, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 28, 2022)
- Panelist, "Wait…. You Want What?? Tips, Tools, and Talking Points for Navigating Accommodation Issues," Seyfarth Shaw Breakfast Briefing (October 29, 2018)
- Panelist, "All Things Accommodation," Seyfarth Shaw Breakfast Briefing (March 15, 2018)
- Panelist, "Best Practices for Investigating and Addressing Sexual Harassment Complaints in the Workplace," Seyfarth Shaw Webinar (February 1, 2018)
- Panelist, “Social Media and the Workplace: What Every Employer Needs To Consider,” Seyfarth Shaw Breakfast Briefing (March 22, 2016)
- Panelist, “Employee Training and Education to Avoid Litigation,” South Asian Bar Association of North America National Conference, Orlando, FL (June 2015)
- Presenter, “Labor & Employment Law Developments: What Happened in 2014 & What Healthcare Employers Need to Watch,” Chicago Area Healthcare Recruiters, Elmhurst, IL (February 2015)
- Presenter, “Independent Contractors vs. Employees,” Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Legal Clinic, Chicago, IL (February 2014)
- Co-Author, “Overview of Certain Federal Anti-Discrimination Laws,” prepared for the Practicing Law Institute, Understanding Employment Law 2013 Seminar (May 8, 2013)
- Co-Author, “Recent Developments in Reasonable Accommodation Issues,” prepared for the American Bar Association, National Conference on Equal Employment Opportunity Law (April 5, 2013)
- Presenter, “Walmart v. Dukes: A Defense Perspective,” Young Lawyer’s Section, Labor & Employment Committee Meeting, Chicago Bar Association (September 22, 2011)
- The People's Music School board of directors (2018-present)
Uma helps employers resolve complex employment disputes and manage risk through practical, cost effective litigation and counseling strategies aligned with long term business goals.
More About Uma
When employment disputes arise, companies need more than standard legal answers—they need creative, strategic, and cost effective solutions aligned with their business objectives. Uma partners closely with her clients to understand both their immediate legal challenges and long term goals, developing practical strategies that advance both. She puts her clients’ business interests first, using the law as a powerful tool to help them move forward with confidence.
Uma has extensive litigation experience defending employers against a wide range of employment claims, including claims of age, sex, race, national origin, disability, and retaliation under Title VII, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Equal Pay Act. She brings deep trial and appellate experience to every case and has successfully tried numerous jury and bench trials, as well as arbitrations.
She also works proactively with clients to reduce litigation risk, advising on day-to-day workplace legal issues. Her counseling experience includes drafting employee policies and handbooks, conducting workplace policy audits, and delivering anti‑harassment training for employees and managers. A significant portion of Uma’s practice is dedicated to conducting workplace investigations, including allegations of serious misconduct against high-level executives, as well as advising clients on post-investigation steps, such as discipline, training, and implementation of new policies and best practices.
Uma serves as co-lead of the Chicago Inclusion Committee, where she provides strategic leadership for the office’s inclusion initiatives. Uma values the opportunity to collaborate with firm leadership to advance the firm’s inclusion goals and to help embed these principles meaningfully into firm and office culture.
Uma has extensive litigation experience defending employers against a wide range of employment claims, including claims of age, sex, race, national origin, disability, and retaliation under Title VII, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Equal Pay Act. She brings deep trial and appellate experience to every case and has successfully tried numerous jury and bench trials, as well as arbitrations.
She also works proactively with clients to reduce litigation risk, advising on day-to-day workplace legal issues. Her counseling experience includes drafting employee policies and handbooks, conducting workplace policy audits, and delivering anti‑harassment training for employees and managers. A significant portion of Uma’s practice is dedicated to conducting workplace investigations, including allegations of serious misconduct against high-level executives, as well as advising clients on post-investigation steps, such as discipline, training, and implementation of new policies and best practices.
Uma serves as co-lead of the Chicago Inclusion Committee, where she provides strategic leadership for the office’s inclusion initiatives. Uma values the opportunity to collaborate with firm leadership to advance the firm’s inclusion goals and to help embed these principles meaningfully into firm and office culture.
- JD, University of Illinois College of Law
Legal Research and Writing honors
Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition best oralist - BA, Smith College
Government and Russian LiteratureDean's list, 1996-2000
- Illinois
- US Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
- US Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
- US Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
- US District Court, District of Colorado
- US District Court, Central District of Illinois
- US District Court, Northern District of Illinois
- US District Court, Southern District of Illinois
- US District Court, Northern District of Indiana
- US District Court, Southern District of Indiana
- US District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
- US District Court, Western District of Michigan
Related Services
Representative Class and Collective Actions
- Nationwide class action for gender discrimination alleging denial of promotions against a national retailer
- EEOC alleged a pattern and practice of racial harassment and discrimination against an international shipping and logistics company.
- Multiplaintiff case involving financial executives alleging defamation and violations of the FCRA against an insurance company
- Multistate wage-hour class action alleging failure to pay overtime against an oil and gas company
- EEOC application to enforce an administrate subpoena attempting to convert a single charge into systemic class allegations against a staffing company
Representative Single-Plaintiff Litigation and Charges
- Disability discrimination and FMLA retaliation case filed against a national retailer
- Age discrimination and retaliation case filed against a beverage manufacturer
- Age harassment and disability discrimination case filed against a national retailer
- Sex harassment and retaliation case filed against a staffing company
Related News & Insights
-
Legal Update
Jun 5, 2023
Reminder: Looming June 30, 2023 Sexual Harassment Training Deadlines for Chicago Employers
-
Seyfarth Event
Sep 28, 2022
Best Practices and Considerations for Employee Demand Letters, Charges and Early-Stage Lawsuits
-
Webinar
May 27, 2021
Breaking Barriers & Building Bridges
-
Webinar Recording
Mar 16, 2021
Webinar Recording: Now What!? Mid-West State of Employment - What’s In Store in 2021?
- Named among the "Top 15 Business Women in Illinois" by the Illinois Diversity Council (2017)
- Named to Lawyers of Color's "Nation's Best 2019" list
- National Employment Law Council
- Leadership Council on Legal Diversity
- South Asian Bar Association of Chicago
- South Asian Bar Association of North American
- American Bar Association
- Co-Author, "Reminder: Looming June 30, 2023 Sexual Harassment Training Deadlines for Chicago Employers," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 5, 2023)
- Co-Author, "Chicago Amends and Clarifies Its COVID-19 Anti-Retaliation Ordinance," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 14, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Chicago Passes COVID-19 Anti-Retaliation Ordinance," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 29, 2020)
- “Ban the Box: What Illinois Employers Need to Know,” Illinois Business Leader Magazine (April 2015)
- “Tackling Workplace Bullying: Lessons from the Miami Dolphin’s Locker Room,” Seyfarth Shaw Employment Law Lookout Blog (November 2013)
- “Social Media and Confidentiality in Workplace Investigations,” Seyfarth Shaw Employment Law Lookout Blog (October 2013)
- “Taking the Bull by the Horns: Is Workplace Bullying the Next Major Battleground in Employment Law?” Seyfarth Shaw Employment Law Lookout Blog (September 2013)
- Co-Presenter, "Best Practices and Considerations for Employee Demand Letters, Charges and Early-Stage Lawsuits," Seyfarth Event, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 28, 2022)
- Panelist, "Wait…. You Want What?? Tips, Tools, and Talking Points for Navigating Accommodation Issues," Seyfarth Shaw Breakfast Briefing (October 29, 2018)
- Panelist, "All Things Accommodation," Seyfarth Shaw Breakfast Briefing (March 15, 2018)
- Panelist, "Best Practices for Investigating and Addressing Sexual Harassment Complaints in the Workplace," Seyfarth Shaw Webinar (February 1, 2018)
- Panelist, “Social Media and the Workplace: What Every Employer Needs To Consider,” Seyfarth Shaw Breakfast Briefing (March 22, 2016)
- Panelist, “Employee Training and Education to Avoid Litigation,” South Asian Bar Association of North America National Conference, Orlando, FL (June 2015)
- Presenter, “Labor & Employment Law Developments: What Happened in 2014 & What Healthcare Employers Need to Watch,” Chicago Area Healthcare Recruiters, Elmhurst, IL (February 2015)
- Presenter, “Independent Contractors vs. Employees,” Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Legal Clinic, Chicago, IL (February 2014)
- Co-Author, “Overview of Certain Federal Anti-Discrimination Laws,” prepared for the Practicing Law Institute, Understanding Employment Law 2013 Seminar (May 8, 2013)
- Co-Author, “Recent Developments in Reasonable Accommodation Issues,” prepared for the American Bar Association, National Conference on Equal Employment Opportunity Law (April 5, 2013)
- Presenter, “Walmart v. Dukes: A Defense Perspective,” Young Lawyer’s Section, Labor & Employment Committee Meeting, Chicago Bar Association (September 22, 2011)
- The People's Music School board of directors (2018-present)