Gerald L.Pauling
Partner
Labor & Employment
gpauling@seyfarth.com
Gerald is an accomplished litigator and trial lawyer, and a member of the firm's Executive Committee.
More About Gerald
Gerald has extensive trial and courtroom experience, and has represented employers in a wide variety of state and federal employment matters, including complex discrimination litigation and class actions, employment contracts, harassment claims, and claims brought under Title VII, the ADEA, the ADA, and various other state and federal statutes. He also provides advice, training, and counseling to clients regarding employment policies and practices and diversity issues.
Gerald is a member of Seyfarth’s seven-member executive committee, the leadership team that guides the firm’s growth and business strategy, and manages its global operations.
Gerald’s achievements as an accomplished litigator and trial lawyer—whose court room advocacy includes numerous jury trial wins, summary judgments and "no money" settlements—have been broadly recognized. He was inducted as a Fellow of the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, and also is a Fellow of Leadership Greater Chicago. Gerald has consistently been listed in Illinois Super Lawyers in the area of Labor & Employment (Thomson Reuters) (2009-2020). In 2021, Crain’s Chicago Business recognized Gerald on its list of "Notable Black Leaders & Executives." Chicago United, one of Chicago's preeminent organizations devoted to business, leadership, and diversity, selected Gerald as a "Business Leader of Color." Gerald has been featured in Minority Corporate Counsel Association's Diversity and The Bar magazine as a "Cutting Edge Labor and Employment Practitioner," and in other prominent publications, such as the ABA Journal, Savoy Magazine, and the Law Bulletin.
Prior to joining Seyfarth Shaw, Gerald served as a clerk at the City of Chicago Law Department and an extern with the Honorable Terry J. Hatter, Jr., federal judge of the United States District Court for the Central District of California in Los Angeles.
Gerald’s achievements as an accomplished litigator and trial lawyer—whose court room advocacy includes numerous jury trial wins, summary judgments and "no money" settlements—have been broadly recognized. He was inducted as a Fellow of the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, and also is a Fellow of Leadership Greater Chicago. Gerald has consistently been listed in Illinois Super Lawyers in the area of Labor & Employment (Thomson Reuters) (2009-2020). In 2021, Crain’s Chicago Business recognized Gerald on its list of "Notable Black Leaders & Executives." Chicago United, one of Chicago's preeminent organizations devoted to business, leadership, and diversity, selected Gerald as a "Business Leader of Color." Gerald has been featured in Minority Corporate Counsel Association's Diversity and The Bar magazine as a "Cutting Edge Labor and Employment Practitioner," and in other prominent publications, such as the ABA Journal, Savoy Magazine, and the Law Bulletin.
Prior to joining Seyfarth Shaw, Gerald served as a clerk at the City of Chicago Law Department and an extern with the Honorable Terry J. Hatter, Jr., federal judge of the United States District Court for the Central District of California in Los Angeles.
- JD, University of California, Los Angeles School of Law
UCLA Moot Court Competition, winner (1990-1991)
UCLA National Team, National Moot Court Tournament (1991-1992)
UCLA Moot Court, executive board of justices (1991-1992)
National Black Law Journal, business managing editor (1990-1991)
Black Law Students Association, treasurer (1990-1991)
Legal Research and Writing, teaching assistant (1990-1991) - BS, University of Illinois, College of Commerce
- Illinois
- US Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
- US Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
- US Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
- US Court of Appeals, DC Circuit
- US District Court, Northern District of Illinois
- US District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
Related Services
Related Key Industries
Blogs
Related News & Insights
-
Recognition
09/23/2024
Seyfarth’s Gerald Pauling Selected as a 2024 Notable Black Leader by Crain’s Chicago Business
-
Firm News
08/15/2024
220 Seyfarth Attorneys Chosen as Leaders in Their Fields by Best Lawyers in America 2025
-
Media Mentions
12/13/2023
Gerald Pauling Discusses Appellate Ruling Discrimination Attorneys Should Be Aware of in Law360
-
Recognition
08/17/2023
210 Seyfarth Attorneys Chosen as Leaders in Their Fields by Best Lawyers in America 2024
- Listed in Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.) for Litigation - Labor and Employment (2023-2025)
- Recognized for Labor & Employment (Illinois) by Chambers USA (2024)
- Crain’s Chicago Business, "Notable Black Leaders & Executives" (2021)
- Listed in Illinois Super Lawyers for Employment & Labor (Thomson Reuters) (2009-2020)
- Savoy Magazine, "Most Influential Black Lawyers" (2018, 2022)
- Chicago United, "Business Leader of Color" (2011)
- American Bar Foundation's Legal Diversity Steering Committee, Mmmber
- American Bar Association's CLE National Programs Committee, employer vice chair
- American Bar Association Trial Practice Institute, instructor/coach
- College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, fellow
- Cook County Bar Association, member
- Great Lakes Community Bank, board director
- The John Marshall Law School Center for Tax Law and Employee Benefits, advisory board member
- Leadership Greater Chicago, fellow
- National Association for African Americans in Human Resources, advisory board member
-
National Employment Law Council, advisory board member
- Co-Author, "National 'Strike For Black Lives' Planned For Monday, July 20, 2020," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 15, 2020)
- Commentator, "Time's Up," ABA Journal (2018)
- Co-Presenter, "Webinar Series: Thriving as a Diverse Professional: The Belonging Project: Advice I Would Give My 30 Year Old Self," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 10, 2020)
- Presenter and Moderator, "What Returning Military Personnel, Unions and Employers Need to Know about USERRA," 12th Annual Labor and Employment Law Conference (2018)
- Panelist, "Social Media and Jury Selection 101: Guidelines Every Litigator Should Know," ABA's Trial Practice Webinar (August 29, 2017)
- Presenter, "Key Cutting-Edge Developments in Complex Employment Discrimination Litigation," Breakfast Briefing, Seyfarth Shaw LLP, Chicago, IL (September 11, 2013)
- Presenter, "Employment Law Land Mines," Corporate Leadership Forum, National Bar Association (2013)
- Presenter, "Key Cutting-Edge Developments in Complex Employment Discrimination Litigation," Seminar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (2013)
- Presenter, "Employment Law Updates: Employment Law in the Current Economy," Black Women Lawyers' Association Program (November 4, 2011)
- Quoted, "4 Ways Employers Can Stamp Out Bias Against Natural Hair," Law360 Employment Authority (April 9, 2021)
- Interviewed, "L&E Issues in C-19 and BLM with Gerald Pauling of Seyfarth with hosts Richard Levick and Derede McAlpin," Podcast, In House Warrior (October 20, 2020)
- Quoted, "Unions and Advocates Plan 'Strike for Black Lives'," SHRM (July 17, 2020)
- Quoted, "How can employers stop discrimination during the coronavirus pandemic?" ABA Journal (April 1, 2020)
- Interviewed, "Asked and Answered," ABA Journal Podcast (November 26, 2018)
- Quoted, "Time's up: Legal, judicial systems slow to adapt to sexual harassment and assault issues," ABA Journal (June 1, 2018)
- Quoted, "Diversity at Law Firms," New York Law Journal (August 24, 2010)
- Quoted, "Points to Ponder," Chicago Lawyer (September 11, 2009)
- Quoted, "Color Codes: New EEOC race and color guidelines highlight contemporary forms of discrimination," Inside Counsel (July 2006)
- Chicago Symphony Orchestra, trustee
- Homewood Flossmoor High School, Board of Education member
- Governors State University, Institutional Review Board member
- Christ Temple Community Baptist Church, Board of Deacons
Gerald is an accomplished litigator and trial lawyer, and a member of the firm's Executive Committee.
More About Gerald
Gerald has extensive trial and courtroom experience, and has represented employers in a wide variety of state and federal employment matters, including complex discrimination litigation and class actions, employment contracts, harassment claims, and claims brought under Title VII, the ADEA, the ADA, and various other state and federal statutes. He also provides advice, training, and counseling to clients regarding employment policies and practices and diversity issues.
Gerald is a member of Seyfarth’s seven-member executive committee, the leadership team that guides the firm’s growth and business strategy, and manages its global operations.
Gerald’s achievements as an accomplished litigator and trial lawyer—whose court room advocacy includes numerous jury trial wins, summary judgments and "no money" settlements—have been broadly recognized. He was inducted as a Fellow of the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, and also is a Fellow of Leadership Greater Chicago. Gerald has consistently been listed in Illinois Super Lawyers in the area of Labor & Employment (Thomson Reuters) (2009-2020). In 2021, Crain’s Chicago Business recognized Gerald on its list of "Notable Black Leaders & Executives." Chicago United, one of Chicago's preeminent organizations devoted to business, leadership, and diversity, selected Gerald as a "Business Leader of Color." Gerald has been featured in Minority Corporate Counsel Association's Diversity and The Bar magazine as a "Cutting Edge Labor and Employment Practitioner," and in other prominent publications, such as the ABA Journal, Savoy Magazine, and the Law Bulletin.
Prior to joining Seyfarth Shaw, Gerald served as a clerk at the City of Chicago Law Department and an extern with the Honorable Terry J. Hatter, Jr., federal judge of the United States District Court for the Central District of California in Los Angeles.
Gerald’s achievements as an accomplished litigator and trial lawyer—whose court room advocacy includes numerous jury trial wins, summary judgments and "no money" settlements—have been broadly recognized. He was inducted as a Fellow of the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, and also is a Fellow of Leadership Greater Chicago. Gerald has consistently been listed in Illinois Super Lawyers in the area of Labor & Employment (Thomson Reuters) (2009-2020). In 2021, Crain’s Chicago Business recognized Gerald on its list of "Notable Black Leaders & Executives." Chicago United, one of Chicago's preeminent organizations devoted to business, leadership, and diversity, selected Gerald as a "Business Leader of Color." Gerald has been featured in Minority Corporate Counsel Association's Diversity and The Bar magazine as a "Cutting Edge Labor and Employment Practitioner," and in other prominent publications, such as the ABA Journal, Savoy Magazine, and the Law Bulletin.
Prior to joining Seyfarth Shaw, Gerald served as a clerk at the City of Chicago Law Department and an extern with the Honorable Terry J. Hatter, Jr., federal judge of the United States District Court for the Central District of California in Los Angeles.
- JD, University of California, Los Angeles School of Law
UCLA Moot Court Competition, winner (1990-1991)
UCLA National Team, National Moot Court Tournament (1991-1992)
UCLA Moot Court, executive board of justices (1991-1992)
National Black Law Journal, business managing editor (1990-1991)
Black Law Students Association, treasurer (1990-1991)
Legal Research and Writing, teaching assistant (1990-1991) - BS, University of Illinois, College of Commerce
- Illinois
- US Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
- US Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
- US Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
- US Court of Appeals, DC Circuit
- US District Court, Northern District of Illinois
- US District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
Related Services
Related Key Industries
Blogs
Related News & Insights
-
Recognition
09/23/2024
Seyfarth’s Gerald Pauling Selected as a 2024 Notable Black Leader by Crain’s Chicago Business
-
Firm News
08/15/2024
220 Seyfarth Attorneys Chosen as Leaders in Their Fields by Best Lawyers in America 2025
-
Media Mentions
12/13/2023
Gerald Pauling Discusses Appellate Ruling Discrimination Attorneys Should Be Aware of in Law360
-
Recognition
08/17/2023
210 Seyfarth Attorneys Chosen as Leaders in Their Fields by Best Lawyers in America 2024
- Listed in Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.) for Litigation - Labor and Employment (2023-2025)
- Recognized for Labor & Employment (Illinois) by Chambers USA (2024)
- Crain’s Chicago Business, "Notable Black Leaders & Executives" (2021)
- Listed in Illinois Super Lawyers for Employment & Labor (Thomson Reuters) (2009-2020)
- Savoy Magazine, "Most Influential Black Lawyers" (2018, 2022)
- Chicago United, "Business Leader of Color" (2011)
- American Bar Foundation's Legal Diversity Steering Committee, Mmmber
- American Bar Association's CLE National Programs Committee, employer vice chair
- American Bar Association Trial Practice Institute, instructor/coach
- College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, fellow
- Cook County Bar Association, member
- Great Lakes Community Bank, board director
- The John Marshall Law School Center for Tax Law and Employee Benefits, advisory board member
- Leadership Greater Chicago, fellow
- National Association for African Americans in Human Resources, advisory board member
-
National Employment Law Council, advisory board member
- Co-Author, "National 'Strike For Black Lives' Planned For Monday, July 20, 2020," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 15, 2020)
- Commentator, "Time's Up," ABA Journal (2018)
- Co-Presenter, "Webinar Series: Thriving as a Diverse Professional: The Belonging Project: Advice I Would Give My 30 Year Old Self," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 10, 2020)
- Presenter and Moderator, "What Returning Military Personnel, Unions and Employers Need to Know about USERRA," 12th Annual Labor and Employment Law Conference (2018)
- Panelist, "Social Media and Jury Selection 101: Guidelines Every Litigator Should Know," ABA's Trial Practice Webinar (August 29, 2017)
- Presenter, "Key Cutting-Edge Developments in Complex Employment Discrimination Litigation," Breakfast Briefing, Seyfarth Shaw LLP, Chicago, IL (September 11, 2013)
- Presenter, "Employment Law Land Mines," Corporate Leadership Forum, National Bar Association (2013)
- Presenter, "Key Cutting-Edge Developments in Complex Employment Discrimination Litigation," Seminar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (2013)
- Presenter, "Employment Law Updates: Employment Law in the Current Economy," Black Women Lawyers' Association Program (November 4, 2011)
- Quoted, "4 Ways Employers Can Stamp Out Bias Against Natural Hair," Law360 Employment Authority (April 9, 2021)
- Interviewed, "L&E Issues in C-19 and BLM with Gerald Pauling of Seyfarth with hosts Richard Levick and Derede McAlpin," Podcast, In House Warrior (October 20, 2020)
- Quoted, "Unions and Advocates Plan 'Strike for Black Lives'," SHRM (July 17, 2020)
- Quoted, "How can employers stop discrimination during the coronavirus pandemic?" ABA Journal (April 1, 2020)
- Interviewed, "Asked and Answered," ABA Journal Podcast (November 26, 2018)
- Quoted, "Time's up: Legal, judicial systems slow to adapt to sexual harassment and assault issues," ABA Journal (June 1, 2018)
- Quoted, "Diversity at Law Firms," New York Law Journal (August 24, 2010)
- Quoted, "Points to Ponder," Chicago Lawyer (September 11, 2009)
- Quoted, "Color Codes: New EEOC race and color guidelines highlight contemporary forms of discrimination," Inside Counsel (July 2006)
- Chicago Symphony Orchestra, trustee
- Homewood Flossmoor High School, Board of Education member
- Governors State University, Institutional Review Board member
- Christ Temple Community Baptist Church, Board of Deacons