Alexis M. Dominguez

PartnerLabor & Employment

he / him / his

adominguez@nge.com

D (312) 269-8476

F (312) 429-3518

Alex counsels and litigates on behalf of public and private companies across a wide range of industries on federal and state labor and employment law matters nationwide. He brings broad experience defending employment discrimination, wage and hour, and restrictive covenant claims, and he guides clients through all stages of matters arising under Title VII, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), and related state and local fair employment laws.

Human resource professionals turn to Alex for help maintaining their organizations’ compliance with evolving state and federal labor and employment laws. He regularly drafts and reviews employment agreements, separation agreements, and employee handbook policies, providing practical guidance tailored to each client’s workforce and business goals. In addition to his employment practice, Alex advises clients on traditional labor matters, including collective bargaining negotiations, responding to unfair labor practice charges, and representing employers in union arbitrations.

Committed to giving back to the community where he lives and works, Alex is actively involved in public service and pro bono efforts. He currently serves as member of the board for Chicago SHRM (Society of Human Resources Management). Alex is also a former Equip for Equality Public Interest Law Initiative Fellow and regularly takes on pro bono matters on behalf of Equip for Equality clients. In addition, he supports Latino law students by serving on the board of trustees for the Hispanic Lawyers Scholarship Fund of Illinois, which provides financial support and networking opportunities to Latinx law students.

Prior to law school, Alex served as a Teach For America Corps Member, teaching fifth‑and sixth‑grade students with behavioral disorders in high‑need areas. That experience, together with his ongoing work advancing the rights of people with disabilities, gives Alex a practical and empathetic perspective on the real‑world challenges employers face in the private sector.

Litigation Experience

Prevailed at state court emergency TRO hearing, securing former employee’s immediate return of substantial assets to a technology company.
Secured summary judgment for food manufacturing client in race and gender discrimination lawsuit filed by former employer.
Defended multiple corporate clients in response to state and federal claims of discrimination and retaliation on the basis of race, national origin, sex, religion, age, disabilities, marital status and other protected categories.
Successfully defended meat processing client in response to disability discrimination claims asserted by former employee, resulting in early dismissal of case with prejudice on timeliness grounds.

Successfully prosecuted claims through AAA arbitration based on employee’s breach of contract and conversion of company property.
Defended nursing home client in AAA arbitration relating to claims of race and gender discrimination and retaliation, resulting in a favorable settlement of claims.
Successfully defended Illinois wage payment claims brought by former employee of public company vehicle retailer, resulting in the dismissal with prejudice of all claims.
Successfully defended various-size companies and organizations in dozens of administrative charges filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and parallel administrative state agencies alleging discrimination based on race, national origin, sex, religion, age, disabilities, marital status and other protected categories.

Wage and Hour Experience

Defended FLSA collective action claims alleging improper tip pooling arrangement under the FLSA and resulting failure to pay minimum wage to employees. Favorable early settlement of claims through court mediation.
Defended FLSA collective action claims brought by nursing home employees alleging misclassification and failure to pay required overtime to employees. Successful settlement of claims through private mediation.
Defended FLSA collective action alleging failure to pay overtime for all hours worked. Allegations included failure to pay for “off the clock” work performed by employees. Defeated plaintiff’s request for class certification resulting in favorable settlement on an individual basis.
Defended FLSA and IMWL claims asserted by employees based on alleged failure to pay employees overtime for all time worked. Successful settlement of claims through court mediation.
Defended FLSA, IWML and CMWO class and collective action claims asserting failure to pay overtime and the required minimum wage to employees. Favorable settlement obtained.

Traditional Labor Experience

Serve as chief spokesperson for negotiations on behalf of manufacturing and school-based clients.
Represented multiple clients in collective bargaining, contract administration, arbitration, labor strategy and NLRB proceedings.
Successfully defended claims asserted by unions on behalf of terminated employees through arbitration hearing and post-arbitration briefing.
Successful petition for review to D.C. Court of Appeals concerning NLRB decision regarding alleged “unilateral changes” to work rules and the duty to bargain. Order granting petition for review obtained based on NLRB’s admission that its order was unenforceable and did not apply controlling circuit law.

Employment Counseling

Draft and/or negotiate employment agreements, separation agreements and restrictive covenants on behalf of corporate clients.
Day-to-day counseling on all aspects of labor and employment laws for national senior care company operating in 20 states, including FMLA administration and enforcement, EEO and FLSA compliance.
Advise companies on and conduct internal investigations involving high-level executives and allegations of sexual and other types of harassment, discrimination and retaliation in the workplace.
Conduct various employment-related training sessions and seminars, including preventing discrimination, harassment and retaliation in the workplace, leave-related matters and workplace technology and social media.
Review and revise employee handbooks and various stand-alone policies.