VERA IWANKIW focuses on the defense of companies in employment and restrictive covenant matters in both state and federal courts across the United States. Vera also conducts internal investigations for clients in various industries.
Vera advises clients at all stages of the litigation process. She has played key roles in the development of defense strategy and briefed successful temporary restraining orders and motions to dismiss in both state and federal court. She also has experience in fact development and discovery, including drafting and responding to written discovery, preparing fact and company witnesses for depositions, resolving various discovery disputes, and day-to-day case management. Vera has litigated a preliminary injunction in state court, examined a witness and argued a state criminal appeal, and presented findings of fraud to the Department of Justice.
Vera also regularly advises clients on the design and application of a wide variety of employee policies and trainings and has counseled clients regarding employee and executive termination, hiring and leave issues. Vera also has substantial experience advising clients on the labor and employment issues arising in connection with mergers, acquisitions and other corporate transactions, including issues arising under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Vera also regularly assists in corporate due diligence projects in connection with the sale of businesses.
Vera graduated with Honors from the University of Chicago Law School in 2017, where she served as a student attorney for the International Human Rights Clinic and the Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights. She graduated with Highest Honors from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana with a B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies with a concentration in Child and Adolescent Development.