Catherine R. Locallo

Catherine R. Locallo

Catherine R. Locallo, a distinguished legal professional, has devoted her career to the realms of labor and employment law, focusing on education and board governance matters. Her commitment is exemplified by her role as a counselor to employers, offering comprehensive guidance on employment law intricacies, collective bargaining, labor relations, and compliance with various acts, including the Freedom of Information Act and Open Meetings Act. 

Catherine’s strengths lie in her client-focused approach, problem-solving skills, and the ability to build strong relationships. Her enjoyment stems from problem-solving and the opportunity to foster improved relations between management and labor.

Catherine’s journey into law began with a significant role as a paralegal before transitioning to become an attorney. Her early career as a paralegal influenced her decision to pursue law, a path that led her to join Robbins Schwartz in 2004. She worked diligently while attending law school at night and was admitted to the bar in 2009. Catherine’s dedication to education law led her to become a partner at Robbins Schwartz in 2017.

Catherine’s upbringing, with her father as an attorney, has instilled a strong work ethic that influences her approach to the law. Beyond her legal endeavors, she is a hockey mom, team manager, and a Peloton enthusiast. A lesser-known fact about Catherine is her passion for running marathons, a tribute to her best friend Farrah, who passed away from Leukemia when she was seven years old.

Awards

• Honorable Gerald L. Sbarbaro Mentoring Award (2023)
• Illinois “Rising Star,” Employment & Labor Law (2015-2018)

Education

• J.D., cum laude, The John Marshall Law School; Order of John Marshall
• B.S., Southern Illinois University

Admitted to Practice

• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
• U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois
• U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
• Supreme Court of Illinois

Organizations

• Chicago Bar Association
• Illinois Council of School Attorneys
• Illinois State Bar Association
• National Council of School Attorneys
• First Vice President, Justinian Society of Lawyers
• Co-Chair, Justinian Society of Lawyers Endowment Fund Scholarship Committee
• Member, Oakton Community College Paralegal Advisory Committee
• Member, Triton College School of Business Advisory Legal Committee
• President, Board of Directors, Glenview Stars Hockey Association
• UNICO National

Recent Publications

• “Substantive Amendments to Whistleblower Act Signed into Law,” Employment & Labor Law, IICLE (2024)
• Contributing author, “Labor Relations: Contract Administration Including Unfair Labor Practices,” Illinois School Law, IICLE (2024)
• “U.S. Supreme Court Resolves Circuit Split for Title VII Claim Related to Job Transfer,” Employment & Labor Law, IICLE (2024)
• “EEOC Releases Proposed Regulations for Pregnant Workers Fairness Act,” Employment and Labor Law Flashpoints, IICLE (2023)
• Co-Author, “Seventh Circuit Addresses Employer Liability for Coworker and Supervisor Harassment and Challenges in Establishing Claims For Retaliation, Defamation, and IIED,” Employment and Labor Law Flashpoints, IICLE (2023)
• “Each Discrete Statutory Violation of Biometric Information Privacy Act Is Actionable by Employees,” Employment and Labor Law Flashpoints, IICLE (2023)
• “Illinois Employers Ring in New Year with Five New Laws,” Employment and Labor Law Flashpoints, IICLE (2022)
• “Recent Seventh Circuit Case Addresses Declaratory Judgment, Equivalent Job, and Attorney’s Fee Awards Under FMLA,” Employment and Labor Law Flashpoints, IICLE (2022)
• “Employee’s Loss of Ability to Maintain Privacy Rights Is Not Injury Compensable Under Workers’ Compensation Act,” Employment and Labor Law Flashpoints, IICLE (2022)

Recent Presentations

• Collective Bargaining 101, Illinois Association of School Administrators Legal Seminar (March 2025)
• Collective Bargaining Strategies and Trends, South Suburban School Business Officials (February 2025)
• 2024 Hot Topics in Labor & Employment Law, The Chicago Bar Association (February 2025)
• Which Hat Am I Wearing? Board Member Conundrums, IASB/IASA/IASBO 2024 Joint Annual Conference (November 2024)
• Legal, Legislative and Ethics Updates, Illinois Community College Trustee Association (November 2024)
• Compliance with Illinois Sunshine Laws, FOIA and OMA Basic Compliance Webinar (September 2023)
• 2022 Hot Topics in Labor & Employment Law, The Chicago Bar Association (February 2023)
• Legal Issues Update, Illinois Community College Trustee Association President’s Council Retreat (January 2022)
• Legal, Legislative and Ethics Update, ICCTA Illinois Council of Community College Presidents Meeting (November 2022)