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Caroline E. Rdzanek
PARTNER
Ms. Rdzanek, Partner at Abrahamson Rdzanek & Wilkins, earned her B.A. from the University of Michigan in 1985 and her J.D. from DePaul University College of Law in 1990. She is admitted to the Illinois Bar, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, and is also a member of the Federal Trial Bar.
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Ms. Rdzanek launched her legal career with Abrahamson Rdzanek & Wilkins (then Abrahamson & Associates) in 1987, where she built a strong foundation representing employees in a wide range of employment law matters. Her early practice gave her a deep appreciation for the challenges individuals face in the workplace, as well as the importance of strategic advocacy in employment disputes.
She later broadened her perspective by serving as in-house counsel for the Chicago Park District, gaining first-hand experience with the legal, practical, and organizational issues confronting large public employers. Ms. Rdzanek went on to practice with Neal, Murdock & Leroy, where she represented employers in litigation and advised them on compliance, personnel policies, and workplace risk management. This combination of employee- and employer-side experience provides her with a rare, balanced perspective that continues to shape her practice today.
Beyond litigation, Ms. Rdzanek has been called upon by employers to conduct workplace investigations and deliver training on issues such as sexual harassment, reflecting both her credibility and her commitment to fostering fair and compliant workplace environments.
In 2008, she returned to ARW, where her leadership and litigation skills quickly distinguished her. She was named Partner in 2012 and has since played a key role in the firm’s continued success. Her peers have recognized her excellence in the field by selecting her as a Leading Lawyer in Labor & Employment Law – Employee, and as a Super Lawyer in Employment & Labor, Employee.
Ms. Rdzanek has handled numerous significant cases, with several resulting in reported decisions, including Freeman v. Chicago Park Dist., 189 F.3d 613 (1999); Tuohey v. Chicago Park Dist., 148 F.3d 735 (1998); Mendoza v. Chicago Park Dist., 2002 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 18384 (Sept. 24, 2002); among others. These matters highlight both the depth of her litigation experience and her long-standing role in shaping employment law within the Chicago area.
