Jeffrey R. Kulwin

I am a trial lawyer driven by results, with a steadfast commitment to justice in employment litigation, business disputes, and civil rights cases.

For nearly three decades, I have represented clients in high-stakes lawsuits that focus on safeguarding legal rights in the workplace and emphasizing the importance of people in business settings.

My practice is devoted to championing justice at work, handling a wide range of cases for clients who have faced retaliation, sexual harassment, discrimination, wrongful termination, defamation, privacy breaches, and fraudulent misrepresentations.

I am dedicated to a client-centered approach that enables individuals to stand up for what is right against what is wrong.

My work involves:

• Prioritizing people in the workplace.
• Navigating business litigation.
• Maximizing severance payouts.
• Protecting individuals from retaliation.
• Vindicating privacy invasions.
• Managing shareholder disputes.
• Defending whistleblowers.
• Enforcing contracts.
• Challenging civil rights violations.
• Combating fraud.
• Litigating real estate conflicts.

• Privacy Invasions
• Litigation Involving Whistleblowers and Retaliation

• Free Consultation
  I’m happy to offer a free first consultation to talk about your legal issue. This meeting will last about 15–30 minutes and will give us a chance to go over your situation and talk about next steps. Here’s what will happen during the consultation: We’ll go over the details of your legal issue, discuss if legal action might work for you, and talk about possible costs. Keep in mind, this consultation is just to give you an idea of your situation. A full legal opinion or solution will need more time and information than we’ll cover in this first meeting.
• Credit Cards Accepted
• Contingent Fees
  My law firm works hard to offer flexible fees that fit our clients' needs. For some cases, we might offer full or partial contingency fees. These are decided on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the firm.

Illinois

Supreme Court of Illinois

Since 1996

Founding Partner

Kulwin, Masciopinto & Kulwin, LLP

2006 - Current

KMK represents clients in complex civil cases including commercial litigation, fraud cases, employment litigation, whistleblower claims, defamation and invasion of privacy claims, civil rights violations and serious personal injury cases. KMK also defends clients in complex white-collar criminal cases including securities fraud, mortgage fraud, health care fraud, racketeering conspiracy, public corruption, tax offenses and federal tax investigations.

Drake University Law School

J.D.

Illinois State Bar  # 6237490

Member

Current

Q. Right to sue letter for racial discrimination; employer not paying wages in IL.

August 21, 2025

A: It's important to consult with an attorney who focuses in employment law for advice tailored to your specific circumstances. Here's a general outline of steps you could take:

1. Document Everything

Keep detailed notes of all incidents of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation, including dates, times, locations, and individuals involved.

Document your unpaid wages, including the hours worked and the amount owed.

2. File a Lawsuit

Since you have a "right to sue" letter, it means you've already filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

If you haven't yet pursued legal action, you can now file a lawsuit in federal or state court within the timeframe specified in the letter (usually 90 days).

3. Contact Your State Labor Department

For the unpaid wages, file a complaint with your state’s labor department or wage and hour division. They can investigate and help recover your missing payments.

Many states have strict laws requiring employers to pay employees on time, and failure to do so can result in penalties for the employer.

You can also file a lawsuit for unpaid wages.

4. Consider Filing a Retaliation Claim

If your employer is withholding payment or taking other adverse actions because you reported discrimination or harassment, this could be considered retaliation, which is illegal under federal and state laws.

Your attorney can help you include this in your legal claims.

4. Consult an Employment Attorney

An attorney can help you evaluate your case, file a lawsuit for discrimination, retaliation, and harassment, and pursue legal action for unpaid wages.

They can also communicate with your employer’s lawyer on your behalf and ensure your rights are protected.

Consider the Consequences of Suing Your Current Employer

Filing a lawsuit against your current employer can have significant consequences for your working relationship. While retaliation is illegal, it can still happen in subtle or overt ways, making your work environment more challenging.

Before taking legal action, consult with an employment attorney to weigh the risks and benefits, and to explore whether other resolutions (e.g., mediation or settlement) might be possible.

Be prepared for the emotional and professional impact this may have, especially if you plan to remain employed with the company during the legal process.

Taking these steps can help you address both the discrimination and the issue of unpaid wages. Again, consulting with an experienced employment attorney is crucial to ensure you take the right actions and protect your rights.

Good luck. ... Read More

Q. Do I have a wrongful termination case after 30 years due to alleged harassment and misconduct? Possible retaliation involved.

August 13, 2025

A: It does sound suspicious, especially if you weren’t aware of any complaints until you were fired. However, retaliation only applies if you were punished for doing something legally protected, like reporting discrimination, harassment, or unsafe work conditions. Why would your employer retaliate against you? If you didn’t engage in any protected activity, it might not count as retaliation. It might be a good idea to talk to a lawyer to better understand your situation.

Please note, I am an Illinois lawyer and not licensed to practice in Arkansas. I’m only providing general information to help answer your question. You should consult with an attorney licensed in Arkansas to get advice specific to your situation and ensure compliance with Arkansas law. ... Read More

Q. Was my suspension due to camera footage wrongful?

August 12, 2025

A: Hi

Please note, I am an Illinois lawyer and not licensed to practice in California. I’m only providing general information to help answer your question. You should consult with a California attorney to get advice specific to your situation and ensure compliance with California law.

Generally speaking, in California, employers are generally not allowed to secretly record employees without their knowledge because of privacy laws like the California Invasion of Privacy Act and constitutional privacy protections. California is a "two-party consent" state, which means everyone involved in a conversation must agree to being recorded.

Based on your question, it looks like the union knew about the cameras, but the workers weren’t told directly. This means the employer might be allowed to use the information from the cameras. ... Read More