Atty. Craig R. Thorstenson

Atty. Craig R. Thorstenson

Craig Thorstenson concentrates his practice in the litigation of employment disputes and providing related counseling. Craig Thorstenson concentrates his practice in the litigation of employment disputes and providing related counseling.

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Profile Summary

About Craig R. Thorstenson at a glance

Craig R. Thorstenson is a employment and litigation attorney based in Chicago, Illinois, practicing at FordHarrison. Educated at University of Illinois Chicago (J.D., 1988). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Employment Law - Management (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Labor and Employment (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Special Focus: (2026). Serands clients in Chicago, IL and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • Craig Thorstenson concentrates his practice in the litigation of employment disputes and providing related counseling
  • Craig Thorstenson concentrates his practice in the litigation of employment disputes and providing related counseling
  • His experience includes defending numerous WARN Act, FLSA and Title VII class actions, prosecuting and defending actions over restrictive covenants, and handling complex labor arbitrations
  • He regularly acts as "in-house" employment counsel for several companies that elect to outsource their employment work
  • Craig also provides day-to-day, proactive and common sense counseling to employers on every aspect of the employer-employee relationship
  • In conjunction with counseling, he conducts targeted client training for human resources professionals and company managers, including training on LGBT issues
  • Earlier in his career, Craig formed a partnership specializing in employment discrimination, primarily from the plaintiff's side, an experience that gives him a unique perspective when counseling and litigating
  • Craig is a member of FordHarrison's Executive Committee, oversees the firm's offices in the Upper Midwest, and serves as the Managing Partner of the firm's Chicago office. https://www.fordharrison.com/CraigThorstenson

Practice Areas Explained

Craig R. Thorstenson's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Craig R. Thorstenson handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Employment Law

Employment lawyers represent workers in wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, wage & hour disputes, and severance negotiations.

Craig R. Thorstenson is one of 169,120 employment attorneys indexed nationally. Browse employment attorneys in Illinois →

Civil Litigation

Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.

Craig R. Thorstenson is one of 454,532 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in Illinois →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in Illinois

Practicing law in Illinois. Legal matters in Illinois are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Chicago are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Illinois state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Illinois brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Illinois courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Looking for additional Illinois attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Chicago or all attorneys in Illinois.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about Craig R. Thorstenson

Where is Craig R. Thorstenson's law office located?
Craig R. Thorstenson's law practice is located in Chicago, Illinois. The firm is FordHarrison. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Craig R. Thorstenson handle?
Craig R. Thorstenson focuses on employment, litigation. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in Illinois.
Where did Craig R. Thorstenson go to law school?
Craig R. Thorstenson earned their education at (J.D., 1988).
How can I contact Craig R. Thorstenson for a consultation?
You can contact Craig R. Thorstenson directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has Craig R. Thorstenson received?
Craig R. Thorstenson's notable recognition includes: Best Lawyers in America — Employment Law - Management; Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Labor and Employment; Best Lawyers in America — Special Focus:; Best Lawyers in America — Management; Lawyer of the Year — Litigation - Labor and Employment (Chicago).

Education

J.D.
University of Illinois Chicago
- 1988

Awards

Best Lawyers in America — Employment Law - Management
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Labor and Employment
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Special Focus:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Management
- 2026
Lawyer of the Year — Litigation - Labor and Employment (Chicago)
- 2022

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