Substantial Success

SCS recently obtained an Order summarily dismissing a putative class action lawsuit brought against our client, Pace Suburban Bus Division of the Regional Transportation Authority. The plaintiff attempted to bring a class action on behalf of all Pace bus operators, alleging that Pace violated the Illinois Minimum Wage Law and the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act.

Attorneys Thomas Draths and Florence Schumacher moved to dismiss the lawsuit based on the plaintiff’s failure to exhaust the administrative remedies requiring grievance/arbitration set forth in the parties’ collective bargaining agreement. The trial court dismissed all counts with prejudice, terminating the action at a very early stage in the litigation.

SCS Welcomes Thomas G. Draths

For four decades Tom has concentrated his practice on labor and employment litigation and counseling as well as commercial litigation, residential and commercial real estate and corporate transactions

He has practiced before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, OSHA, the National Labor Relations Board, the Illinois Human Rights Commission, the Illinois Department of Employment Security, the Illinois Public Labor Relations Board, the Illinois Department of Labor, and the Cook County Commission on Human Rights.  He has represented employers in  the public and private sectors in collective bargaining and in both grievance and interest arbitrations, and before municipal Civil Service Commissions.  He has argued successfully before the  Supreme Court of Illinois.

He is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Illinois, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois including its Trial Bar, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, and the United States Claims Court.

Tom received his undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College, where he majored in Government.  He received his juris doctor degree from DePaul University College of Law.