Richard L. Samson

Richard L. Samson

Chicago, IL recognized lawyers icon Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2015
Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart PC

317 Best Lawyers awards

Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart PC logo

Awarded Practice Areas

Labor Law - Management

Biography

Mr. Samson has represented management in all aspects of labor and employment law for over 27 years with a particular emphasis on traditional labor law. He has also litigated cases before federal and state courts as well as state and local agencies in employment discrimination and wrongful discharge actions. He routinely advises clients on a host of employment-related issues including employer investigations, claims of harassment, employment policies and social media.

In the traditional labor arena, his experience covers the gamut of issues arising under the National Labor Relations Act including matters affecting both unionized and non-union employers in litigation, trial work and day to day counseling. He has experience in a variety of industries including construction, ready mix supply, material supply (aggregate mining), steel, light and heavy manufacturing, retail, food distribution, theatrical production, casinos, meatpacking and assisted living. He regularly appears on behalf of employers before the National Labor Relations Board in the defense of unfair labor practice charges and in representation cases. Over the course of his career he has handled such matters throughout the country in the Labor Board's various regional offices including Chicago, Milwaukee, Peoria, Minneapolis, Indianapolis, Detroit, Kansas City, Cincinnati, Cleveland, St. Louis, Oakland, New Orleans and Philadelphia.

Mr. Samson has been an adjunct professor of law at IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law where he taught a course on the law of employment relationships and established a seminar class on employee privacy rights.

Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart PC

317 Best Lawyers awards

Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart PC logo

Overview

  • Chicago-Kent College of Law at IIT, J.D., graduated 1985

  • Illinois, Illinois State Bar Association

  • American Bar Association - Member
  • Associated General Contractors Labor and Employment Lawyers Council - Member and Chair-Elect 2015
  • Chicago Bar Association - Member
  • Illinois, Illinois State Bar Association
  • American Bar Association - Member
  • Associated General Contractors Labor and Employment Lawyers Council - Member and Chair-Elect 2015
  • Chicago Bar Association - Member
  • Chicago-Kent College of Law at IIT, J.D., graduated 1985

Client Testimonials

Awards & Focus

Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
  • Labor Law - Management
Awards:
  • Fellow, The College of Labor and Employment Lawyers
  • AV Preeminent Rating - Martindale Hubbell
  • Leading Lawyer's Network (Illinois, Employment Law: Management)
  • Illinois Super Lawyer

Additional Information

  • Court Admissions
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois including Trial Bar
  • U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan

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