Harold A. Katz - a Chicago, IL Labor and Employment Law Lawyer

Chicago Labor and Employment Law Lawyer

Updated: 02/16/2026

Areas of Practice

Labor and Employment Law
Personal Injury
Social Security Disability
Workers' Compensation

Attorney Information

Overview

Harold A. Katz was a founding partner of the law firm along with Irving Friedman more than 50 years ago. Harold and Irving met when they were opposing counsel on a labor relations case in the early 1950s. Harold was representing the UAW. Irv, as the Labor Board's senior trial attorney in its Chicago office, was representing the NLRB. The two, working together, successfully prosecuted an unfair labor practice complaint against a multi-national corporation. It didn't take long for their mutual respect to become a working arrangement that has translated into more than a half-century partnership which has impacted the lives of many working people all over Illinois.

Harold has been an author of two major labor law books and the author of a number of articles published in professional journals. In a classic 1956 article in the Harvard Law Review, Harold spawned the "Crashworthiness Doctrine." The Doctrine, now widely accepted throughout the country, places legal liability upon auto manufacturers to reasonably design vehicles that protect drivers in the event of a crash.

Harold is a lecturer at conferences and institutes on labor and employment discrimination subjects. He has acted as chairperson for a number of organizations including the US branch of the International Society for Labor Law and Social Legislation, the Labor Law Committee of the Illinois State Bar Association, and the Workers' Compensation Section of the American Trial Lawyers' Association. He is a fellow of the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers. Harold in 2001 was one of only 12 Illinois lawyers inducted as a Laureate in the Illinois Academy of Lawyers; he earned the Jurisprudence Award from American Organization for Rehabilitation through Training (ORT), and the Freedom of Expression Award from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). Harold has been a public servant in every branch of government outside of his private law practice. He served as a member of the Illinois House of Representatives with distinction for nine terms; was special counsel to the Governor of Illinois on legislation; and was a Master-in-Chancery at the trial court level in Cook County. He earned his bachelor of arts degree in economics from Vanderbilt University in 1943; and a Doctor of Law degree in 1948 and a masters of arts in labor economics in 1958 both from the University of Chicago. Harold lives in Glencoe with his wife Ethel Mae. He is father of four grown children and five grandchildren. Harold reads voraciously and enjoys traveling whenever he gets the chance.

Awards and Honors

Honors

Laureate in the Illinois Academy of Lawyers, 2001 - Present
Jurisprudence Award, American Organization for Rehabilitation through Training (ORT)
Freedom of Expression Award, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
The Best Lawyers in America, 2009 - Present

Education

Legal Education
- University of Chicago Law School, Chicago, Illinois, 1948
  J.D., Doctor of Jurisprudence
  Law Review: University of Chicago Law Review, Board of Editors
Non Legal Education
- University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, 1958
  M.A., Master of Arts
  Major: Economics
- Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, 1943
  B.A., Bachelor of Arts
  Honors: cum laude
  Major: Economics

Current Employment Position(s)

```
Deceased
```

Past Positions

War Labor Board

Pro Bono Activities

Illinois State Legislature, New Trier Township, 1964 - Present

Published Works

Articles

Labor and the Law (Co-Author, C.O. Gregory), W.W. Norton, New York, 3rd Ed., 1979
Labor Law: Cases, Materials and Comments (Co-Author, C.O. Gregory), Michie, Charlottesville, Virginia, 1948
Liability of Automobile Manufacturers for Unsafe Design of Passenger Cars, Harvard Law Review, March, 1956
Nothing in law or logic insulates manufacturers from liability for deficiencies in design any more than for defects in construction, Harvard Law Review, 1956

Bar Admissions

Illinois, 1948
U.S. Federal Courts, 1948
U.S. Supreme Court, 1955

Other Affiliations

U.S. branch of the International Society for Labor Law and Social Legislation (Chairperson)
Labor Law Committee of the Illinois State Bar Association (Chairperson)
Workers’ Compensation Section of the American Trial Lawyers’ Association (Chairperson)
College of Labor and Employment Lawyers (Fellow)

Be the first to write a review!

There are currently no reviews for Harold A. Katz. Be the first to share your experience.

Write a Review

Contact

Chicago, IL

321 North Clark Street
Suite #1750
Chicago, IL 60654

Directions

Phone: 312-724-5846

Fax: 312-372-5555

Email: Send a message

Website: https://www.kfeej.com

Credit Cards Accepted
Free Consultations
Telephones Answered 24/7
Virtual Appointments

Disclaimer

Your Profile? Update Now

When viewing a listing, consider the state advertising restrictions to which lawyers and law firms must adhere, as well as our FindLaw.com Legal Directory disclaimer. Some lawyers publish comparative information regarding the services that they provide which may be subject to specific comparative communications restrictions.

How do I choose a lawyer?

Consider the following:

Comfort Level – Are you comfortable telling the lawyer personal information? Does the lawyer seem interested in solving your problem?
Credentials – How long has the lawyer been in practice? Has the lawyer worked on other cases similar to yours?
Cost – How are the lawyer's fees structured — hourly or flat fee? Can the lawyer estimate the cost of your case?
City – Is the lawyer's office conveniently located?

Not sure what questions to ask a lawyer?

Here are a few to get you started:

How long have you been in practice?
How many cases like mine have you handled?
How often do you settle cases out of court?
What are your fees and costs?
What are the next steps?

Want to check lawyer discipline?

It is always a good idea to research your lawyer prior to hiring. Every state has a disciplinary organization that monitors attorneys, their licenses, and consumer complaints. By researching lawyer discipline you can:

Ensure the attorney is currently licensed to practice in your state
Gain an understanding of his or her historical disciplinary record, if any.
Determine the seriousness of complaints/issues which could range from late bar fees to more serious issues requiring disciplinary action.

Harold A. Katz - Chicago, IL