Police Forum: The Impact of the “SAFE-T” Act on the Workplace

David Amerson Related seminars and products

Staff Attorney

Policemen's Benevolent & Protective Association of IL

David Amerson is a staff attorney with the Police Benevolent Labor Committee. David is also the Chair of the Illinois State Bar Association’s Labor and Employment Law Section Council, and is an adjunct faculty member with the University of Illinois’ Labor Education Program. Previously, David was the coordinator of AFSCME Retirees - Chapter 31, and Executive Vice-President of the Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans. He has also represented federal workers in the legal department of the AFGE, and as a legal advisor to the Graduate Employee Organization (IFT-AFT). Additionally, David provides legal counsel to a number of national non-profits.  He is a graduate of the University of Illinois- College of Law and is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps.

Tamara Cummings Related seminars and products

General Counsel

Illinois Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council

Tamara Cummings serves as General Counsel to the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police, a large public sector union representing law enforcement bargaining units. She has held that position since January, 2010.  She has worked as an attorney for the Labor Council since 2003, and in this capacity she has represented law enforcement officers and civilian employees in all areas of labor and employment relations.  She has acted as lead counsel in contract negotiations, grievance arbitrations, interest arbitrations, discipline hearings and various court cases in circuit and appellate courts throughout the State of Illinois. Tamara has been responsible for organizing picket lines and civic protests.  Tamara oversees member and employee training and is the chief speaker at Labor Council Critical Incident Seminars which have been held across the State and attended by union members, State’s Attorneys, Chiefs of Police and County Sheriffs. Tamara is also actively involved in the legislative process, working closely with lobbyists to analyze and draft legislation. She has testified on numerous occasions both in support of and in opposition to various pieces of legislation that impact the membership. Tamara is a fellow of the American Bar Association’s College of Labor & Employment Lawyers. The College of Labor & Employment Lawyers is a non-profit professional association honoring the leading lawyers nationwide in the practice of Labor and Employment Law. Prior to joining the Labor Council, Tamara worked for the Law Offices of Joseph V.  Roddy where she primarily defended and represented Chicago Police Officers in administrative, criminal and civil matters. She tried cases in the Cook County Law, Municipal and Criminal Divisions as well as in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.  She also prepared and argued appeals before the Illinois Appellate Courts, and the United States Court of Appeals, both the Seventh and Eighth Circuits. Tamara received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Chicago and her Juris Doctor degree from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. 

Jennifer Dunn Related seminars and products

Partner

Franczek P.C.

Yvette Heintzelman Related seminars and products

Clark Hill PLC

Yvette Heintzelman represents public sector employers in state and federal litigation, and in grievance arbitrations, and administrative proceedings before various state and local agencies. 

Her experience in disability matters includes analysis of the intersection between FMLA, ADA and workers compensation as well as analysis and defense of municipal decisions under public safety pension statutes, the Public Employee Safety Benefit Protection Act and the Public Employee Disability Act.

Yvette defends employers against discrimination claims filed under Title VII, Americans with Disabilities Act, Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Family and Medical Leave Act, wrongful discharge, and various other employment related claims. She has extensive experience defending employers against claims filed by the EEOC as well as in multi-party employment litigation

Yvette also provides advice and counsel to employers on personnel and liability issues. She assists municipal employers on complicated public safety personnel matters and provides training on investigation of internal complaints, development of policies and procedures and compliance with applicable law. She routinely  presents for professional organizations such as the Northwest Police Academy, the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, the Illinois Municipal League, Illinois Public Employer Labor Relations Association and the International Association of Police Chiefs.

Public and private sector employers rely on Yvette to help them address labor and employment issues and avoid litigation through a proactive approach to responding and resolving various employment problems. She works with her clients to navigate labor relations issues, establish human resources policies and procedures necessary to comply with constantly evolving labor and employment law while supporting operations.