Clarissa Pintado
ATTORNEY
Clarissa is an experienced employment law and civil rights litigator serving clients throughout Illinois. Clarissa has successfully litigated hundreds of cases on behalf of employees and employers, including cases involving employment discrimination and retaliation, workplace sexual harassment, breach of employment contract, whistleblower retaliation, FMLA violations, breach of employment agreements, wage and hour claims, and breach of noncompete agreements.
Clarissa began her law career in Washington, D.C. and Virginia. After clerking for three judges in the Circuit Court of Alexandria, Virginia and practicing there for several years, she moved to Chicago where she has been litigating since. She is a tireless advocate for her clients.
Ryan Estes
ATTORNEY
Ryan has practiced employment and civil rights law exclusively since 2013 and devoted his practice to advocating for employee rights. Ryan has represented clients harmed by workplace discrimination, retaliation, unpaid wages/overtime, and contractual disputes.
Ryan has handled all aspects of litigation, including drafting complaints, arguing motions in court, questioning high-level executives at depositions, and cross-examining witnesses before a jury. Ryan’s favorite experiences as an attorney have been the multiple times the jury has found in his client’s favor after difficult trials.
Ryan has also successfully negotiated numerous settlements on behalf of his clients, including severance agreements and in mediations.
Memberships, Awards, & Organizations
- Super Lawyers Illinois Rising Star (2025–2026)
- Super Lawyers Virginia Rising Star (2020–2024)
- Virginia Lawyers Weekly Rising Star (2020)
- Alexandria Chamber of Commerce 40 Under 40 Honoree (2018)
- Member, Chicago Bar Association
- Member, National Employment Lawyers Association
- Member, Alexandria Bar Association
Admissions
- State Bar of Illinois
- State Bar of Colorado
- State Bar of Virginia
- District of Columbia
- Supreme Court of the United States
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Virginia
Education
J.D., American University Washington College of Law, 2013
M.A., from American University School of International Service, 2013
B.A., American University, 2008
Description Title
“Updates in Whistleblower Law” National Business Institute (December 2026)
“Virginia Employment Law: Hiring, Firing, and Disciplining Employees,” National Business Institute (October 2026)
“Whistleblower Law: What You Need to Know Now,” National Business Institute (December 2023)
“Employment Law Ethics Update,” National Business Institute (December 2023)
“Reimagining Lawyer Wellbeing,” Alexandria Bar Association CLE Marathon (October 2020)
“Lawyer Wellbeing: Self Care and Resilience,” Alexandria Bar Association CLE Marathon (October 2019)
Memberships, Awards, & Organizations
- Member, The Anti Fraud Coalition (TAF)
- American Constitution Society
- Austin Bar Association Labor and Employment Section
- Texas Employment Lawyers Association
- National Employment Lawyers Association
- Super Lawyers Rising Star, 2017-2020
Admissions
- State Bar of Texas
- State Bar of Illinois
- Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois
Education
The John Marshall Law School – Juris Doctor
The University of Michigan – Bachelor of Arts with Honors in English Language and Literature
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