Anna Wermuth

Vice Chair, Labor & Employment Department

Recent News:

Lawdragon Names Six Cozen O’Connor Attorneys to Its Annual List of Leading Corporate Employment Lawyers

Lawdragon has named six members of Cozen O’Connor’s Labor & Employment Department to its annual list of Leading U.S. Corporate Employment Lawyers. Among the honorees are Joseph Tilson, A. Martin Wickliff, Jr., Anna Wermuth, Jeremy Glenn, Susan Eisenberg, and Michael Schmidt.

Anna serves as the vice-chair of Cozen O’Connor’s Labor & Employment Department, where she has been integral to the growth and success of the firm’s L&E practice. Working out of the Chicago office, employers engage her to represent them in high-stakes, high-profile labor and employment litigation before state and federal courts and administrative agencies.  She is also widely recognized as a “go to” legal resource for institutions of higher education, representing prestigious colleges and universities in leading collective bargaining negotiations and labor arbitrations, developing employee-engagement strategies for union-organizing campaigns, and litigating a myriad of faculty, staff, and student matters.

For over 20 years, Anna has brought both innovative and practical approaches to complex employment law matters to achieve favorable and precedent-setting results, whether in large-scale class actions or single-plaintiff cases involving the full range of employment-related disputes, including discrimination, wage and hour and non-compete agreements. Anna also has a robust traditional labor practice, representing employers in managing unionized workforces, negotiating collective bargaining agreements, developing employee engagement strategies, and litigating labor arbitrations and matters at the NLRB.  She also regularly counsels employers on the full range of novel legal issues facing employers, from addressing the impact of national current events in the workplace, to navigating the patchwork of state and local obligations in the workplace, executing human resources strategies, and conducting internal investigations. Anna is praised by clients for being an “extraordinary litigator and trial lawyer;” and “extremely skilled, very good with clients and strategic.”

Anna is also an active member of the American Bar Association’s Labor & Employment Law Section, where she has held several leadership positions.  In 2021, Anna was appointed employer vice-chair of the ABA L&E Section’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Legal Profession Committee.  She also currently serves as the management co-vice chair for the Section’s National Trial Advocacy Competition.  

She is the past management co-chair of the Section’s Development of the Law Under the NLRA Committee and has served as an associate editor of Developing Labor Law - the leading traditional labor law treatise jointly published by Bloomberg/BNA and the ABA. Anna is also the past-chair of the Chicago Bar Association’s Labor & Employment Law Committee.

In addition, in 2021 Anna was appointed to the Advisory Committee for the Study of the Rules of Practice and Internal Operating Procedures of the District and Bankruptcy Courts of the Northern District of Illinois.

Inducted in 2020 as a fellow of the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers (CLEL), Anna has been recognized by several law and business publications for sustained outstanding performance in the legal profession, including Crain’s Chicago Business, the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, and Lawdragon/HRE magazine. She is also consistently recognized by her peers as one of the top labor and employment attorneys in Chambers USA, Best Lawyers and SuperLawyers.

Anna writes and speaks on a variety of contemporary labor and employment topics for the American Bar Association, the National Association of College and University Attorneys, the Corporate Counsel Institute, the Practicing Law Institute, the Society of Human Resource Management, and other business, bar, legal education, and academic associations.

Prior to entering private practice, Anna served as law clerk to the Honorable Rebecca R. Pallmeyer of the District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. In addition to her legal practice, Anna serves on the board of directors of the Chicago Youth Centers, a 64-year-old nonprofit organization that services more than 4,000 children and families in Chicago each year with early childhood education, out-of-school, and teen leadership programs.

Anna received her J.D. from the Loyola University Chicago School of Law where she graduated second in her class and served as an editor of the Loyola University Chicago Law Journal. Anna received an M.A. from Northwestern University and graduated with high honors from DePaul University where she also competed in NCAA Division I Women’s Track and Cross Country. Before practicing law, Anna taught Spanish for the City Colleges of Chicago and worked for community-based nonprofit organizations.

Experience

News

Lawdragon Names Six Cozen O’Connor Attorneys to Its Annual List of Leading Corporate Employment Lawyers

October 01, 2024

Lawdragon has named six members of Cozen O’Connor’s Labor & Employment Department to its annual list of Leading U.S. Corporate Employment Lawyers. Among the honorees are Joseph Tilson, A. Martin Wickliff, Jr., Anna Wermuth, Jeremy Glenn, Susan Eisenberg, and Michael Schmidt.

Best Lawyers Honors More Than 200 Cozen O'Connor Attorneys in its Best Lawyers in America 2025 Edition

August 15, 2024

Best Lawyers selected 242 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 24 of the firm’s U.S. offices for inclusion in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America.

Nearly 100 Cozen O’Connor Lawyers, 27 Practices Earn Top Recognition in Chambers USA 2024 Guide

June 10, 2024

Chambers USA rankings are based on an “assessment of a firm’s work and opinions from external market sources, with an emphasis on client feedback.” In order to be ranked in the guide, lawyers and firms must demonstrate “sustained excellence.”

Leading Lawyers Network Recognizes 19 Cozen O’Connor Lawyers as Top Illinois Practitioners

March 05, 2024

Ira Bodenstein, Jack Carriglio, Janet Davis, John Dunn, Mitch Edlund, Wendy Enerson, Gary Gassman, Tia Ghattas, Jeremy Glenn, Erin Bolan Hines, Mark Rabinowitz, Peter Roberts, Brian Shaw, Joseph Tilson, Julie Trester, Peter Valeta, Anna Wermuth, and Brian Williams were recognized as Leading Lawyers, Christina Sanfelippo was recognized as an Emerging Lawyer.

Eleven Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Named 2024 Illinois Super Lawyers

January 29, 2024

The Cozen O’Connor attorneys who have been recognized by their peers in Illinois as Super Lawyers are Jack Carriglio, Janet Davis, Jeremy Glenn, Allen Guon, Peter Roberts, Brian Shaw, Joe Tilson, and Anna Wermuth. Amy Doig, David Doyle, and Corey Hickman were named to this year’s Illinois Rising Stars list. This is Hickman’s first year on the Rising Stars list.

Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Anna Wermuth and Jeremy Glenn Named to Crain’s 2023 Notable Leaders in Employment and Labor Law

December 01, 2023

Cozen O’Connor Labor & Employment lawyers Anna Wermuth and Jeremy Glenn have been named to the 2023 list of Notable Leaders in Employment and Labor Law by Crain’s Chicago Business magazine.

Lawdragon Names Six Cozen O’Connor Attorneys To Its Annual List Of Leading Corporate Employment Lawyers

September 27, 2023

Lawdragon has named six members of Cozen O’Connor’s Labor & Employment Department to its annual list of Leading U.S. Corporate Employment Lawyers.

Best Lawyers Honors More Than 200 Cozen O'Connor Attorneys to its Best Lawyers in America 2024 Edition

August 17, 2023

Best Lawyers selected 232 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 24 of the firm’s U.S. offices for inclusion in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

Business Today Names 32 Cozen O'Connor Attorneys to Its Top 10 Lists

July 28, 2023

These lists recognize lawyers “mastering,” “leading,” “revolutionizing,” and “dominating” their fields in their respective states and nationwide.

Eighty-eight Cozen O’Connor Lawyers, 23 Practices Earn Top Recognition in Chambers USA 2023 Guide

June 05, 2023

Of the 88 lawyers ranked, 17 lawyers have been recognized nationally, and eighteen were recognized in Band 1. Eight of the firm's practice areas have been recognized nationally, and nine were ranked Band 1.

Eleven Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Named 2023 Illinois Super Lawyers

January 26, 2023

Super Lawyers has named 11 attorneys at Cozen O’Connor to its 2023 lists of top practitioners in Illinois.

Cozen O’Connor Attorney Anna Wermuth Named one of Crain’s 2022 “Notable Women in Law”

September 08, 2022

Anna Wermuth, vice-chair of Cozen O’Connor’s national Labor & Employment Department, has been named to the 2022 list of Chicago’s “Notable Women in Law” by Crain’s Chicago Business.

Lawdragon Names Six Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Among The Top 500 Leading U.S. Corporate Employment Lawyers

August 24, 2022

Lawdragon has named six members of Cozen O’Connor’s Labor & Employment Department to its 2022 list of the Top 500 Leading U.S. Corporate Employment Lawyers.

More Than 200 Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Named Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch

August 22, 2022

210 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 24 of the firm’s nationwide offices for inclusion in the 2023 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

Six Cozen O’Connor Lawyers Named 2023 “Lawyers of the Year” by Best Lawyers

August 22, 2022

Geoffrey Ferrer, James Forsyth, J. Bruce Maffeo, Suzanne Mayes, Jason Shargel, and Anna Wermuth received the highest annual ratings from their peers.

Chambers Ranks 86 Cozen O’Connor Lawyers, 22 Practice Areas in Chambers USA 2022 Guide

June 02, 2022

Chambers USA, the leading annual guide to the top lawyers and law firms in the United States, has ranked 86 Cozen O’Connor lawyers as leaders in their respective fields in the guide’s 2022 edition.

Cozen O’Connor’s Anna Wermuth Named to The American Lawyer’s 2022 Midwest Trailblazers List

May 16, 2022

Anna Wermuth, vice-chair of Cozen O’Connor’s national Labor & Employment Department, has been named to The American Lawyer’s 2022 list of Midwest Trailblazers.

Leading Lawyers Network Recognizes 23 Cozen O’Connor Lawyers as Top Illinois Practitioners

March 02, 2022

The Leading Lawyers Network has named 22 Cozen O’Connor lawyers to its annual list of Illinois’ top practitioners and named one other as an Emerging Lawyer in its 2022 survey results.

Eleven Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Named 2022 Illinois Super Lawyers

January 28, 2022

Nine were recognized as Super Lawyers and two were named to its list of "Rising Stars," a list that recognizes attorneys under the age of 40.

Lawdragon Names six Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Among the Top 500 Leading U.S. Corporate Employment Lawyers

November 19, 2021

Lawdragon has named six members of Cozen O’Connor’s Labor & Employment Department to its 2021 list of the Top 500 Leading U.S. Corporate Employment Lawyers.

More Than 205 Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Named Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch By The Best Lawyers In America

August 19, 2021

Best Lawyers selected 210 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 23 of the firm’s nationwide offices for inclusion in the 2022 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

Cozen O’Connor Attorney Anna Wermuth Receives Women in Law Honor from Chicago Daily Law Bulletin & Chicago Lawyer

July 09, 2021

Anna Wermuth, vice-chair of Cozen O’Connor’s national Labor & Employment Department, has been named to the second annual Salute! Women in Law Award list by the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and Chicago Lawyer magazine.

Cozen O’Connor Attorney Anna Wermuth Named to Illinois Northern District Rules Advisory Committee

June 24, 2021

Anna Wermuth, Vice-Chair of Cozen O’Connor’s national Labor and Employment Department, has been appointed to the Rules Advisory Committee of the U.S. District Court, of the Northern District of Illinois.

82 Cozen O’Connor Lawyers, 19 Practices Earn Top Recognition in Chambers USA 2021 Guide

May 26, 2021

Chambers USA, the leading annual guide to the top lawyers and law firms in the United States, has ranked 82 Cozen O’Connor lawyers as leaders in their respective fields in the guide’s 2021 edition; of those, 15 lawyers have been recognized nationally.

Eleven Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Named 2021 Illinois Super Lawyers

January 29, 2021

Super Lawyers has named eleven attorneys at Cozen O’Connor to its 2021 lists of top practitioners in Illinois.

Leading Lawyers Network Recognizes 26 Cozen O’Connor Lawyers as Top Illinois Practitioners

January 26, 2021

The Leading Lawyers Network has named 24 Cozen O’Connor lawyers to its annual list of Illinois’ top practitioners and named two others as Emerging Lawyers in its 2021 survey results.

Lawdragon names six Cozen O’Connor Attorneys among the Top 500 Leading U.S. Corporate Employment Lawyers

December 14, 2020

Lawdragon has named six members of Cozen O’Connor’s Labor & Employment Department to its 2020 list of the Top 500 Leading U.S. Corporate Employment Lawyers.

Member Monday: Anna Wermuth

October 26, 2020

Anna Wermuth was highlighted by the Women's Bar Association of Illinois in recognition of her contributions to her practice and community.

Cozen O’Connor Attorney Anna Wermuth Named One of Chicago’s “Notable Women in Law”

September 08, 2020

Anna Wermuth was recently named to the list of Chicago’s “Notable Women in Law” by Crain’s Chicago Business.

200 Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Named Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch By The Best Lawyers In America

August 20, 2020

Best Lawyers selected 200 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 23 of the firm’s nationwide offices for inclusion in the 2021 edition of The Best Lawyers in America© (Copyright 2020 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, SC).

Thomas Giotto, Anna Wermuth Elected Fellows of The College of Labor and Employment Lawyers

July 07, 2020

Cozen O’Connor labor and employment attorneys Thomas Giotto and Anna Wermuth have been elected Fellows in The College of Labor and Employment Lawyers.

63 Cozen O’Connor Lawyers, 16 Practices Earn Top Recognition in Chambers USA 2020 Guide

May 14, 2020

Chambers USA, the leading annual guide to the top lawyers and law firms in the United States, has ranked 63 Cozen O’Connor lawyers as leaders in their respective fields in the guide’s 2020 edition.

Six Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Named 2020 Illinois Super Lawyers

January 29, 2020

Super Lawyers has recognized six Cozen O'Connor attorneys to its 2020 lists of top practitioners in Illinois, including Joe Tilson who was again named one of the "Top 100" Illinois Super Lawyers.

Anna Wermuth and Joe Tilson lead ABA Student Trial Advocacy Competition in Chicago

December 03, 2019

Anna Wermuth and Joe Tilson led the ABA Student Trial Advocacy Competition Midwest Regionals in Chicago, Illinois.

Anna Wermuth Quoted in Sports Illustrated Article About Northwestern Football

February 25, 2016

Anna Wermuth, vice chair of Cozen O'Connor's Labor & Employment department, was quoted in a recent Sports Illustrated article regarding the Northwestern Football teams attempt to unionize last year.

Publications

Employers Must Vigilantly Evaluate WARN Obligations As Pandemic Continues [Alert]

July 28, 2020

Dave Hackett and Anna Wermuth discuss what employers must do to ensure they are complying with all applicable laws.

Illinois Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act – What You Need to Know [Alert]

August 16, 2019

Adam Gutmann and Anna Wermuth discuss what employers should do to comply with the new Illinois Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act.

Newly Issued Mandatory Advice Submissions List Reveals NLRB GC’s Priorities [Labor & Employment Alert]

December 05, 2017

Joseph Tilson and Anna Wermuth discuss the general counsel memorandum that signals to many employers that new agency officials will take a more employer-friendly approach.

Illinois Ban on Salary History Inquiries Dies on Governor’s Desk [Labor & Employment Alert]

August 28, 2017

Joseph E. Tilson and Anna Wermuth discuss why Governor Rauner’s veto is good news for Illinois employers.

NLRB General Counsel Takes a Bold Stance on Student Athletes [Labor & Employment Alert]

February 07, 2017

Joseph Tilson and Anna Wermuth discuss the NLRB General Counsel Richard Griffin's announced that scholarship football players at Division I FBS private colleges and universities are employees entitled to protection under the National Labor Relations Act.

Industry Sectors

Education

  • Loyola University Chicago School of Law, J.D., 1999
  • Northwestern University, M.A., 1992
  • DePaul University, B.A., 1991

Awards & Honors

Chambers USA, 2017-2024

The American Lawyer Midwest Trailblazers, 2022

Lawdragon Top Leading U.S. Corporate Employment Lawyers, 2018-2025

Top 20 Lawyers in Traditional Labor and Employment Law by Lawdragon, 2017-2021

2022 Employment Law - Management Lawyer of the Year in Chicago by The Best Lawyers in America 

Best Lawyers in America 2019-2024

Woman Leader in the Law, ALM and Martindale Hubbell, 2020

Business Today Top 10 Impactful Labor and Employment Lawyers in Illinois, 2023

Crain's Chicago Business, Notable Leaders in Employment Law, 2023

Crain's Chicago Business, Most Influential Women Lawyers, 2017; Notable Women in Law, 2018, 2020, and 2022

Woman Making an Impact, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2014

Illinois Super Lawyer, 2010, 2012-2024

Illinois Rising Star, 2008-2009

Leading Lawyers Network Illinois 2009-2022, 2024

Benchmark Labor & Employment Star for the Midwest, 2019

  • Illinois
  • U.S. District Court -- Central District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court -- Northern District of Illinois
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit

The Honorable Rebecca R. Pallmeyer, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

American Bar Association, Section of Labor and Employment Law:

Management Program Co-Chair for the Development of the Law under the NLRA Committee

Former Employer Vice-Chair, National Programs (BASICS) Subcommittee

Former Employer Vice-Chair for Membership Development Retention Subcommittee

Participant in Labor & Employment Law Section’s Leadership Development Program

Chicago Bar Association: 

2012-13 Chair, Labor & Employment Law Committee

2011-12, Vice-Chair, Labor & Employment Law Committee

Alliance for Women Member

Fellow, American Bar Foundation

Women’s Bar Association of Illinois Member

Coalition of Women’s Initiatives in Chicago Law Firms - Delegate

Nominated, American Institute of Legal Counsel