Zev L. Grumet-Morris advises and litigates on behalf of companies in employment, commercial, and other civil-related matters in state and federal courts and agencies throughout the United States, as well as in arbitration and alternative dispute resolution venues. He also conducts HR training, investigations and audits, and handles company restructuring matters. In addition, Mr. Grumet-Morris counsels businesses on affirmative action compliance and in the development of their affirmation action programs. Mr. Grumet-Morris works with clients ranging from small business to large multinational companies in a variety of industries, including retail, manufacturing, distribution, and healthcare.
Mr. Grumet-Morris is a 2020 magna cum laude graduate of the University of Illinois College of Law, where he was a member of the Elder Law Journal, and a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Representative Matters
Second-chaired defense of retail company in week-long federal jury trial for unpaid overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act and Illinois Minimum Wage Act. In the same litigation, brought counterclaims for breach of contract, fraud, and unjust enrichment. Handled all phases of discovery, motion practice, and questioned multiple witnesses at trial. Received defense verdict on unpaid overtime claim, and received counter-plaintiff verdict on unjust enrichment claim.
Prevailed on dispositive motion brought on behalf of online fashion retailer against charges of violations of federal and state Equal Pay Acts, breach of contract, and discrimination claims under Title VII.
Prevailed on dispositive motion brought on behalf of equipment supplier for petroleum companies on discrimination and retaliation charges in Illinois state court.
Represented several companies in executing nation-wide and successive reductions in force, including counseling clients on disparate impact, WARN analysis, and OWBPA disclosure obligations.
Advise clients on the development of their affirmative action plans and counsel them through audits from the Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contractor Compliance Program (OFCCP), ensuring their affirmative action plans are compliant with federal regulations and acting as their representative with OFCCP to ensure a swift and mutually acceptable conclusion to the audit.
Conducted an FLSA violation internal investigation for a nonprofit client.
Conducted workplace culture and ethics investigation for health and fitness equipment supplier.
Handled discrimination and retaliation charges brought before the Illinois Human Rights Department and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on behalf of multiple clients in different industries.
Defended client against Title VII and Section 1981 claims brought by former employee alleging racial discrimination. Brought to mutual resolution through mediation.
Prevailed on dispositive motion on multi-million construction litigation.
Defended client in non-compete action in Illinois state court concerning hire of competitor salesperson.
Admissions
- Illinois
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
Education
- University of Illinois College of Law, J.D., magna cum laude, 2020
- Member, The Elder Law Journal - University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, B.A., with honors, 2017
Experience
- Duane Morris LLP
- Associate, 2021-present
Professional Activities
- Campaign Vice Chair of Investing in Justice Campaign sponsored by the Chicago Bar Foundation
Selected Publications
- Contributor, Duane Morris UpdatED Blog
- Co-author, "LBJ's Executive Order 11246 Revoked, Ending Decadeslong Race and Gender Affirmative Action Obligations for Federal Contractors and Subcontractors," Duane Morris Alert, January 22, 2025
- Co-author, "Flurry of Illinois Employment Legislation Ushers in More Employee Rights, Regulates Employer Use of AI and Guts Remedies Under Biometric Information Privacy Act," Duane Morris Alert, August 29, 2024
- Co-author, "How To Prepare As Employee Data Reporting Deadlines Near," Law360, April 23, 2024
- Co-author, "OFCCP and EEOC Spring Updates: Reporting Deadlines Approach, Lowered Veterans Hiring Benchmark and EEO-1 and California Pay Data Reporting," Duane Morris Alert, April 10, 2024
- Contributor, Duane Morris Class Action Review – 2024, January 9, 2024
- Co-author, "Healthcare and the Law - As Home- and Community-Based Care Expands, Agencies Focused on M&A and Staffing Challenges Also Face Heightened Labor & Employment Enforcement Environment," Wharton Healthcare Quarterly, Summer 2023
- Co-author, "OFCCP Issues Final Rule Reclaiming Considerable Discretion and Leverage in Pre-Enforcement Procedures for Discrimination Claims," Duane Morris Alert, August 9, 2023
- Co-author, "Illinois Legislature Passes More Employee-Friendly Bills," Duane Morris Alert, July 18, 2023
- Co-author, "An Overview Of OFCCP's Religious-Exemption Reset," Law360, June 21, 2023
- Co-author, "OFCCP Issues Revised Scheduling Letter and Itemized Listing Following Public Comments," Duane Morris Alert, May 9, 2023
- Co-author, "Illinois Adopts Mandatory Paid Leave; Other New Employer Obligations on the Horizon," Duane Morris Alert, March 14, 2023
- Co-author, "OFCCP Rescinds 2020 Rule Expanding Scope of Religious Exemption for Federal Contractors and Subcontractors," Duane Morris Alert, March 3, 2023
- Co-author, "Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs Proposes Significant Changes to Compliance Review Scheduling Letter and Itemized Listing," Republished by The Journal of Federal Agency Action, March 2023
- Co-author, "Illinois and Chicago Employers: Preparing for the New Year," Duane Morris Alert, December 15, 2022
- Co-author, "OFCCP Proposes Significant Changes to Compliance Review Scheduling Letter and Itemized Listing," Duane Morris Alert, December 13, 2022
- Co-author, "OFCCP Revises Recent Pay Equity Directive," Duane Morris Alert, August 23, 2022
- Co-author, "Illinois Employers: Another Wave of Employment Laws Requires Attention," Duane Morris Alert, June 28, 2022
- Co-author, "Illinois Department of Labor Announces Opening of Equal Pay Registration Certificate Application Period for Illinois Employers," Duane Morris Alert, February 3, 2022
- Co-author, "Illinois Employers: 2021 State and Local Employment Laws Require Attention," Duane Morris Alert, August 3, 2021
- Co-author, "Laws and Tax Incentives Fill COVID-19 Paid Leave Void as Vaccinations Increase and More Employers Return to In-Person Work," Duane Morris Alert, April 28, 2021
- Co-author, "Illinois Bill Limits Employers' Use of Criminal Conviction Records, Mandates New Equal Pay Registration Certificate and Employee Composition Data Annual Report," Duane Morris Alert, February 18, 2021
Media Hits
- Quoted, "Commercial Real Estate and New Federal DEI Guidelines: What to Know," Commercial Observer, February 18, 2025
- Quoted, "Trump Rescinds Affirmative Action by Contractors Based on Race, Gender," SHRM, January 24, 2025
Selected Speaking Engagements
- Speaker, "Using Pay Equity Audits to Identify and Mitigate Pay Gap Liability," June 25, 2025
- Speaker, "Artificial Intelligence in the Workplace: Navigating Risk in a New Frontier," Duane Morris Institute (DMi) Webinar, July 18, 2023
- Speaker, "Artificial Intelligence in the Workplace: Navigating Risk in a New Frontier," Duane Morris Institute (DMi) Webinar, January 19, 2023
- Presenter, "Orders of Protection for Employers," Duane Morris LLP, July 21, 2022



