Leadership

He represents employees in complex disputes involving harassment, discrimination, retaliation, wage theft, biometric privacy, and institutional misconduct. Before joining the firm, Max was a partner at a plaintiff-side firm and clerked for two federal judges in the Northern District of Illinois.

Max's work focuses on proving who made the call, what alternatives were available, and why one option was chosen over another. He reconstructs events across digital records, internal communications, and policy application to demonstrate intent embedded in judgment.

His work has produced multiple seven-figure resolutions, removal of corporate officers, and one of Illinois's highest per-head Biometric Information Privacy Act arbitration awards.

As President of the National Employment Lawyers Association – Illinois, Max has testified before the Illinois legislature and helped amend the Illinois Human Rights Act, the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act, and the Illinois Gender Violence Act.

Max is a graduate of Chicago-Kent College of Law and holds a bachelor's degree with honors from the University of Michigan. Max is admitted to practice in the State of Illinois, Northern District of Illinois (Trial Bar), and the Central District of Illinois.

He brings more than a decade of experience litigating for and against government entities, insurance companies, self-insured institutions, and large organizations. He previously served as an Assistant Attorney General in Illinois's Government Representation Division and later defended hospitals, universities, and institutional clients.

This background gives Matthew a precise understanding of how business decisions are later defended as neutral process—and how to dismantle that narrative through disciplined litigation.

Matt is admitted to practice in the State of Illinois, Northern District of Illinois (Trial Bar), Central District of Illinois, Eastern and Western District of Wisconsin, District of Colorado, and the Eastern District of Michigan.

Matt received his B.A. in Political Science from Miami University in 2006, and his J.D. from DePaul University College of Law in 2011.

Wayne concentrates on cases involving violations of the Illinois Whistleblower Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and state and federal false claims statutes. His work is grounded in a clear understanding of how organizations respond when internal wrongdoing is exposed—who controls information, how narratives are shaped, and how retaliation is often justified as routine management action.

Before joining the firm, Wayne served as Chief Assistant Inspector General for the City of Chicago Office of Inspector General, where he investigated corruption, fraud, and abuse by city employees, contractors, and elected officials. In that role, he was responsible for evaluating allegations of misconduct, directing complex investigations, assessing credibility, and developing findings that withstood scrutiny from political leadership, law enforcement, and the public.

That experience shapes Wayne's approach to litigation. He understands how misconduct is concealed, how internal investigations are constrained, and how decision-makers balance exposure against accountability. As a result, he is particularly effective in whistleblower matters where institutions attempt to reframe retaliation as performance management or isolate wrongdoing as individual error.

Wayne's work reinforces the firm's commitment to litigating decisions, not explanations. He approaches each matter with an investigator's discipline, focusing on documentary evidence, internal communications, and inconsistencies between what organizations knew internally and what they later claimed.

Wayne earned his B.A. in Political Science from Morehouse College and his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center. He is admitted to practice in Illinois and the Northern, Central, and Southern Districts of Illinois. He is a member of NELA-Illinois, the Chicago Bar Association, the Cook County Bar Association, and the Black Men's Law Association.

Alex's work is defined by careful preparation and analytical rigor. He approaches each case by reconstructing the factual record, testing claims against governing law, and developing litigation strategies designed to withstand procedural and evidentiary scrutiny. His matters are litigated with the expectation that they will be examined closely by courts and opposing counsel alike.

Alex has served as lead trial counsel in numerous state and federal cases, where he has been responsible for trial strategy, witness examination, evidentiary presentation, and courtroom execution. That experience informs his practical, outcome-oriented approach to litigation at every stage of a case.

Alex began his legal career clerking for two federal trial court judges, where he developed a deep understanding of judicial decision-making, motion practice, and the standards that govern credibility and proof. That experience continues to inform his approach to litigation, particularly in matters where factual precision and procedural discipline determine outcomes.

Prior to joining the Garfinkel Group, Alex practiced at leading Chicago law firms, where he conducted depositions, briefed and argued motions, and appeared regularly before state and federal courts. Earlier in his career, he worked at a firm representing labor unions and their members in litigation and grievance proceedings, giving him early exposure to complex employment disputes and collective workplace dynamics.

Alex's commitment to precision is reflected in his academic record. A summa cum laude graduate and Class Valedictorian of The John Marshall Law School, he earned multiple CALI Awards for the highest achievement in core legal subjects. That same standard of excellence carries through his litigation practice.

At the Garfinkel Group, Alex plays a critical role in advancing matters through discovery, motion practice, and trial, ensuring that cases are built on verified facts and prosecuted with consistency and care.

Alex is admitted to practice in Illinois and the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.