Rachel Mahoney

Associate

Rachel.Mahoney@lewisbrisbois.com

Rachel S. Mahoney is a senior associate in the Chicago office of Lewis Brisbois. She represents employers in a broad range of business and employment matters in state and federal courts, as well as before administrative agencies nationwide. Ms. Mahoney’s practice primarily focuses on defending employers in individual, multi-plaintiff, and class action litigation involving claims of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, wage and hour violations, and labor disputes. She also advises and defends businesses in matters related to website accessibility under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and similar statutes.

In addition to employment litigation, Ms. Mahoney has experience in correctional healthcare defense and commercial litigation, including disputes involving breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, restrictive covenants, and settlement enforcement. She manages cases through all phases of litigation, including discovery, settlement conferences, mediations, and administrative proceedings, and she is frequently entrusted with conducting sensitive workplace investigations.

Ms. Mahoney works closely with business owners and executive leadership to assess and mitigate legal risk, develop compliant employment practices, and align legal strategies with broader organizational objectives. Her counseling spans the full employment lifecycle, including hiring and onboarding, drafting employee handbooks and policies, compensation programs, leave and accommodation issues, termination counseling, separation agreements, and restrictive covenant agreements.

She has significant experience defending class actions under the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) and regularly collaborates with national insurers and private clients on defense strategies, compliance, and risk management related to biometric privacy laws.

Ms. Mahoney routinely appears before administrative agencies, including the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Illinois Department of Human Rights, and the National Labor Relations Board.

In addition to her litigation and counseling work, Ms. Mahoney serves as a mentor in the firm’s Women’s Initiative Program.

Primary Area(s) of Practice

  • Labor & Employment
  • Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA)
  • ADA Compliance & Defense

Additional Experience

Associations

  • Chicago Bar Association
  • Mentor for the Lewis Brisbois Women's Initiative Mentoring Program

Awards & Honors

  • International Moot Court Competition Quarterfinalist - Midwest Regional Rounds, 2017 International Phillip C. Jessup Competition
  • Highest grade distinction in the area of Criminal Procedure at Valparaiso School of Law (awarded Course and consecutive Semester Honors)

Education

Valparaiso School of Law

Juris Doctor, May 2018

  • Member, International Moot Court Competition  
  • Assistant Professor for over a hundred first year law students

Saint Louis University

Bachelor of Arts, May 2015

  • President of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars

Publications

2024 Illinois Labor & Employment Year End Review.

Pro Bono & Philanthropy

  • Chicago Legal Clinic-Chancery Division
    • Provided advice on mortgage foreclosure, adult and child name changes, and administrative appeals
  • Valparaiso Criminal Clinic
    • Represented and advised low income clients on criminal defense matters