Title: Attorney
Company: Lázaro Law Group
Location: Chicago, Illinois, United States
Rafael E. Lázaro, Attorney at Lázaro Law Group, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Lawyers for dedication, achievements, and leadership in Employment Law.
Mr. Lázaro has dedicated more than a decade to advancing civil rights litigation and championing the interests of vulnerable populations. As the managing partner of Lázaro Law Group since 2013, he has overseen a team of five lawyers in Chicago, Illinois, and San Juan, Puerto Rico, ensuring consistent business development, leading marketing initiatives, and supervising payroll and staff compensation. In addition to his managerial responsibilities, Mr. Lázaro handles a personal litigation caseload on both plaintiff and defense sides, manages the client intake process, evaluates cases and assigns attorneys within his firm. His practice is centered on civil rights litigation, with a particular focus on sexual harassment, gender discrimination and disability discrimination cases that predominantly serve female clients.
Among Mr. Lázaro’s most significant professional milestones was securing a million-dollar settlement for the family of a student with a disability in a landmark trial against the Chicago Public Schools involving sexual assault. His expertise has also been demonstrated through his work on employment class action lawsuits, further solidifying his reputation as an expert in employment law. Mr. Lázaro’s commitment to public interest is reflected in his extensive pro bono work, including spearheading a federal retaliation lawsuit on behalf of a former U.S. Environmental Protection Agency worker who faced adverse employment actions after exposing government misconduct.
Before founding Lázaro Law Group, Mr. Lázaro spent several years at Stowell & Friedman Ltd., where he specialized in plaintiff-side employment class action litigation. This role allowed him to deepen his understanding of large-scale employment disputes and develop strategies that would later inform his own practice.
From 2004 to 2007, Mr. Lázaro served as an attorney at Seyfarth Shaw LLP in Chicago, one of the city’s most prominent law firms. There, he gained valuable experience learning defense strategies for a large firm environment and observed the operations of highly successful attorneys. Earlier in his career, Mr. Lázaro practiced at a small law firm in Puerto Rico, which provided foundational exposure to diverse legal matters and client advocacy.
Mr. Lázaro began his legal career as a law clerk for the Honorable Juan Pérez-Giménez at the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico. This formative experience offered him insight into federal court proceedings and judicial decision-making processes.
In preparation for his future, Mr. Lázaro earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science with a minor in economics from Cornell University in 1997, followed by a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Cornell University in 2000. His education has been instrumental to his success, equipping him with analytical skills and legal acumen that underpin his achievements in complex litigation. After acquiring his law degree, Mr. Lázaro was admitted to practice by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the Illinois Bar Association.
Active within the legal community, Mr. Lázaro serves as a board member for the National Employment Lawyers Association Illinois, the state chapter. His professional affiliations include membership in the Federal Bar Association, the Hispanic National Bar Association and the Hispanic Lawyer Association of Illinois, and service as an arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association.
Mr. Lázaro’s dedication extends beyond private practice through significant civic involvement. As a pro bono representative for Lawyers for Good Government, he has litigated religious cases without compensation and continues to advocate for justice by representing individuals facing governmental retaliation.
Recognition among peers is reflected by Mr. Lázaro’s inclusion in Super Lawyers for nearly 10 consecutive years from 2017 to 2026, an honor determined by nominations and evaluations from fellow attorneys who recognize excellence within their field. Throughout his career, he has attributed his accomplishments to empathy and kindness when working with clients, recognizing that many face personal hardships that can impact their relationship with legal counsel. Mr. Lázaro emphasizes the importance of returning calls promptly and maintaining responsibility across all aspects of his work.
Mr. Lázaro credits much of his growth to mentorship from highly skilled lawyers early in his career, particularly during his time at Seyfarth Shaw LLP. He also acknowledges the contributions of his current team as essential to the ongoing success of Lázaro Law Group.
Born in San Juan, Mr. Lázaro exemplifies dedication to justice, professional excellence, and community engagement throughout every facet of his distinguished career and personal pursuits. Looking ahead, he aims to expand his firm’s services into California while continuing to build upon its established presence in Illinois and Puerto Rico.
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