Lawyer needs lawyer.

In January I left my employ with a Chicago law firm and moved to a new job in Tucson AZ. Part of my compensation at my old firm (7 attorneys)involved an annual bonus which, due to poor record keeping by the head partner, was usually reduced significantly (this occurred for each of the last four years). Despite repeated oral and written representations that I would be paid, I never was. I was told that my 2001 bonus would be brought whole within a few weeks of my departure, but as of yet I have recieved nothing and my efforts to communicate have gone unanswered. I have yet to really look into filing a wage claim but have a variety of questions (jurisdiction, statute of limitations, personal liability, etc.). My claim totals about 75-100K. I am looking to engage experienced counsel to represent my interests.

1 answer  |  asked Apr 2, 2002 12:04 PM [EST]  |  applies to Arizona

Answers (1)

Francis Fanning
Wage claim - wrong state

Since you were employed in Illinois, your claim will be governed by Illinois law and your lawsuit will have to be filed in Illinois. There is no basis for Arizona courts to assert personal jurisdiction over your former employer.
Arizona law provides for the possibility of recovering three times the amount of unpaid wages. The statute of limitations for making the claim is one year from when the wages were due. The term "wages" is currently defined to include all forms of compensation, including bonuses and severance pay. The legislature is currently considering a bill that will limit the amount of a wage claim that can be trebled. I suspect that Illinois may have some kind of wage statute similar to Arizona's but you would have to ask an Illinois attorney for advice on this question. You really need to retain an Illinois attorney if you intend to pursue this claim.

posted by Francis Fanning  |  Apr 2, 2002 7:52 PM [EST]

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