Haskell Garfinkel – Managing Partner
Haskell Garfinkel is the founding partner of Garfinkel Group, LLC. After a 20 plus year career advising Fortune 500 companies in all aspects of their business from human capital strategies, to insurance and risk retention programs and crisis management, Haskell formed Garfinkel Group, LLC. Over the years, his clients have included such notable companies as Apple, Nissan, Toyota, J.B. Hunt, Tesla, Turner Construction, Experian, and Morgan Stanley.
Leveraging his decades of experience advising clients in the C-Suite and the board room, from inception, the mission of the firm has been to champion the rights of those who have been treated unfairly by larger more powerful organizations and to provide equal access to the justice system. Haskell brings to his legal practice a deep understanding of a wide range of industries including financial services, automotive/transportation, entertainment, technology, long-term care and construction. In addition, as an experienced CPA, Haskell combines his extensive behind the scenes experience advising corporate America with a vast knowledge of the tax and financial implications of complex employment law matters, at both litigation and settlement.
At the Garfinkel Group, Haskell focuses his practice on complex whistleblower matters, ranging from violations of the Illinois Whistleblower Act, Sarbanes Oxley, state and federal false claims (qui tam), securities law violations under Section 21(f) and a host of other legal matters at the intersection of employment law and white collar criminal activity. He has extensive experience handling client matters before numerous governmental agencies including: the Department of Labor, Department of Justice, Department of Defense, the National Labor Relations Board and the Securities and Exchange Commission.
In addition, as both a father and grandfather, Haskell is a zealous advocate on behalf of minors, women and other victims of sexual assault in the workplace. He has successfully delivered multi-million dollar results on behalf of #metoo and other similarly situated clients.
Haskell holds a Bachelor of Business Management from Loyola University of Chicago and a JD from the Chicago-Kent College of Law. In addition, he is a certified public accountant and member of the National Employment Law Association-Illinois. He is admitted to practice in the State of Illinois, the US Tax Court and the Northern District of Illinois.
Max Barack – Head of Litigation & Chief Client Officer
Max Barack leads the Garfinkel Group, LLC’s litigation practice. He represents workers experiencing unfair pay practices, such as minimum wage and overtime pay violations, as well as other forms of wage theft. Max actively litigates class and collective action lawsuits on behalf of workers subject to biometric privacy violations and other company-wide illegal pay practices. Max’s practice is also focused on representing survivors of workplace sexual and racial harassment, discrimination, retaliation, as well as whistleblowers.
Max believes that workers need a strong advocate and someone who will listen to them and fight on their behalf. Max’s experience in employment law has led him to take an aggressive approach in fighting for his clients. He combines his unique knowledge of ESI with his attention to detail in advocating for his clients. He enjoys fighting on behalf of the most vulnerable workers.
Max has been named to Super Lawyers’ “Rising Stars” list each year from 2020-2023 for employment & labor and employment litigation and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in 2022 and 2023. Max has published articles on using social media and email in discovery in discrimination cases, using the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act, best practices in representing employment law clients, the tort of retaliatory discharge, representing whistleblowers in claims for retaliatory discharge, using the Illinois Gender Violence Act in the #MeToo era, and the Workplace Transparency Act. He has given presentations on employee privacy and social media in discovery, the Illinois Right to Privacy in the Workplace Act, the tort of retaliatory discharge, and new legislative developments in Illinois. He is also a recurring presenting attorney for the “Financial Poise” webinar series about best practices for companies in creating workplaces.
Max is currently NELA-Illinois’ Vice President and has been a member of its Board of Directors since 2019, and is the Co-Chair of its Legislative and Communications Committees. He is a noted speaker and co-host of the Employee to Lawyer podcast by NELA Illinois. He has been a member of the Decalogue Society of Lawyers’ Board of Managers since 2019. He is a member of the Chicago Bar Association and co-chair of its Media Productions committee. In that capacity, he has participated in televised roundtable discussions on returning to work during the pandemic and led televised discussions on defending transgender rights in 2022, combatting sexual abuse, and working towards racial diversity in the law, among others. He is also a member of the Illinois State Bar Association and the Legal Network for Gender Equity.
Max is a graduate of Chicago-Kent College of Law and holds a bachelor’s degree with honors from the University of Michigan. Max is admitted to practice in the State of Illinois, Northern District of Illinois (Trial Bar), and the Central District of Illinois. Previously, Max was a partner at Favaro & Gorman, Ltd. Max is fluent in Spanish and frequently represents primarily Spanish-speaking clients.
Matthew Fletcher – Partner
Matt is an experienced trial attorney. He found his passion for labor and employment law after a nearly decade long career with a strong focus on civil tort litigation including medical malpractice, premises liability and representation of railroad workers injured on the job.
Before joining the Garfinkel Group, Matt was with the law firms of Marc J. Bern & Partners and Johnson & Bell as a member of the firm’s Health Care Group where he specialized in medical malpractice and Nursing Home Care Act litigation. Prior to that, he was an Assistant Attorney General with the Office of the Illinois Attorney General. While there, he defended State agencies, officials, and employees in federal civil rights litigation, including cases related to the provision of medical care to persons incarcerated in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Matt is admitted to practice in the State of Illinois, Northern District of Illinois (Trial Bar), Central District of Illinois, Eastern and Western District of Wisconsin, District of Colorado, and the Eastern District of Michigan.
Matt received his B.A. in Political Science from Miami University in 2006, and his J.D. from DePaul University College of Law in 2011. In his free time, he provides pro bono appellate representation to indigent persons appealing their criminal convictions. He also enjoys golf, woodworking, and playing with his son.
Andrew Fullett- Senior Counsel
Andrew Fullett is an experienced employment attorney with a strong background in the banking and lending industry. Andrew’s experience representing both individuals and businesses allows him to proactively analyze issues from both sides. With that in mind, Andrew concentrates his practice in the area of civil rights and employment law, including fighting for individuals who are the victims of wage theft and related wage and hour matters. Notably, Andrew has represented employees in class and individual actions to recover unpaid minimum wages, overtime compensation, bonuses, commissions, and other owed wages.
Andrew’s notable recoveries for wage and hour violations include recovering: (1) a six-figure signing bonus on behalf of a former executive of a waste management company; (2) commissions on behalf of a sales representative whose company refused to pay his earned and agreed to commissions after leaving the company; and (3) promised and agreed to wages on behalf of a medical sales representative.
Andrew also advocates for the legal rights of people facing discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in the workplace, in addition to those employees who have been unfairly targeted for reporting illegal conduct. Andrew has represented clients before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Illinois Department of Human Rights.
While attending law school, Andrew focused his studies on labor and employment law, earning a certificate through Chicago-Kent College of Law’s Labor and Employment Certificate Program and gained significant experience as an intern in the Chicago-Kent Law Group’s Plaintiffs Employment Clinic.
Andrew holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Relations and Policy from Michigan State’s James Madison College and is a 2017 graduate of Chicago-Kent College of Law. He is a member of NELA-Illinois, the Chicago Bar Association and the Illinois Bar Association, where he also serves as a Member on the Labor & Employment Section Council. Andrew has also been named to Super Lawyers’ “Rising Stars” 2024 list for plaintiff’s side employment litigation.
wayne@garfinkelgroup.com
Wayne Garris – Senior Counsel
Wayne concentrates his practice on labor and employment law, with a focus on whistleblower matters, including violations of the Illinois Whistleblower Act, Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and state and federal false claims acts.
Before joining the Garfinkel Group, Wayne investigated corruption and misconduct by City of Chicago employees, contractors, and elected officials during his tenure as the Chief Assistant Inspector General for the City of Chicago Office of Inspector General. Wayne enjoys advocating for workers who speak out against corporate wrongdoing, leveraging his experience fighting fraud and abuse in city government.
Wayne earned his B.A. in Political Science from Morehouse College in 2007 and his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center in 2010. Wayne is admitted to practice in the State of Illinois, Northern District of Illinois, Central District of Illinois, and Southern District of Illinois. He is a member of NELA-Illinois, the Chicago Bar Association, the Cook County Bar Association, and the Black Men’s Law Association.
Alex Stamatoglou – Senior Counsel
Alex’s passion is fighting for employees who have been unfairly and unlawfully exploited by their bosses. Alex counsels and brings lawsuits on behalf of employees who have been the victims of discrimination, retaliation, harassment, and wage theft.
Alex’s dedication to achieving a just result for his clients has been lauded by his clients, supervisors, and colleagues. A summa cum laude graduate of The John Marshall Law School, Alex earned distinction as the Class Valedictorian and received five CALI Awards for achieving the highest grades in critical legal subjects. Alex’s commitment to excellence is evident in every aspect of his legal practice.
Alex began his legal career as a Judicial Law Clerk for two federal trial court judges, where he honed his analytical skills and gained invaluable experience in the intricacies of the legal system. As an attorney at top Chicago law firms, Alex conducted numerous depositions and frequently appeared before state and federal courts on a number of matters. Prior to graduating from law school, Alex served as a Law Clerk at a Chicago law firm specializing in representing labor union clients and their membership in litigation and the grievance process.
Alex is admitted to the Illinois Bar and the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. With a reputation as a compassionate advocate for his clients and an unwavering dedication to the law, Alex continues to make a significant impact in the legal profession, ensuring that the principles of justice are upheld for those he represents.
alex@garfinkelgroup.com
gabriella@garfinkelgroup.com
Gabriella Fanter – Head of Operations
Meet Gabriella, a dynamic and driven professional with a passion for business and a flair for leadership. Having graduated from Northern Illinois University with a degree in Business, she possesses a strong foundation in the corporate world. Her exceptional organizational skills make her an invaluable asset to the firm as she leads and optimizes operations with precision and efficiency. From front office to back office, Gabriella effortlessly navigates various facets of the business, ensuring seamless coordination and collaboration across departments. With a rich background in talent management, she understands the importance of cultivating a skilled and motivated workforce, making her adept at identifying and nurturing top talent within the organization.
Gabriella’s expertise in mortgage financial services compliance adds an extra layer of reliability and trustworthiness to her role. Her meticulous attention to detail ensures that all regulatory requirements are met, safeguarding the firm’s reputation and success. In both her professional and personal endeavors, Gabriella exudes a sense of professionalism and dedication that inspires those around her.
Always seeking opportunities for growth and improvement, she continues to excel and make a significant impact in the world of business. In addition to being a go-getter she enjoys cooking, being active outdoors, and reading in her free time.
