Drew O'Donnell Tressler LLP

O'Donnell, Drew Associate

O'Donnell, Drew Associate

Practice Focus

Drew O’Donnell is an associate in Tressler’s General Defense Litigation Practice Group. Drew concentrates his practice in the areas of employment, tort and personal injury litigation. He provides both consultation and litigation services to corporate, insurance, local government and not-for-profit clients.

Drew defends employers in both state and federal court. He frequently provides advice and counsel against claims such as wage and hour, wrongful termination, sexual harassment, discrimination and retaliation. Drew has obtained extensive litigation experience defending corporate and government clients and has first chaired multiple civil trials.

Professional Background

Prior to joining Tressler, Drew was an Assistant Attorney General for the Office of the Illinois Attorney General (OAG) in the Employment and Prisoner Litigation Units. Drew represented the State of Illinois and its employees in federal court against discrimination claims under Title VII and the ADA. During his tenure with the OAG, Drew successfully chaired several federal jury trials, including those involving constitutional issues under the First and Eighth Amendments such as retaliation, failure to protect and excessive force. 

Drew started his career as Claims Counsel for the Commonwealth Edison Company, where he represented ComEd in construction, personal injury and property damage litigation. While in law school, he worked as a judicial extern to the Honorable Jeffrey Lawrence in the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Recent Articles and Blogs

"Illinois Paid Leave for All Workers Act: What Employers Need to Know," Tressler's Employment Law Blog, February 13, 2024

"What’s Material in a Fabrication of Evidence Claim?" Local Government Lowdown, December 8, 2022

News

Presentations & Events

Presentations

“2024 Employment Law Update,” IAPD/IPRA Soaring to New Heights Conference, Chicago, January 25, 2024

“Ten Reasons Why Your Agency Could Be Sued Over Employment Issues,” IAPD/IPRA Soaring to New Heights Conference, Chicago, January 28, 2023