Laura Leahy

Strategic and results-oriented attorney with strong litigation experience across public and private sectors. Skilled in managing complex case dockets, developing litigation strategy, leading legal teams, collective bargaining and advising leadership on risk and compliance. Adept at policy management, contract drafting and negotiation, and cross-functional collaboration with outside counsel. Proven ability to thrive in high-stakes environments and pivot seamlessly across legal disciplines including labor, employment and litigation.

I am a strategic, results-driven attorney with extensive litigation experience across both the public and private sectors. In my current role as Assistant General Counsel for Teamsters Local 700, I lead legal strategy for over 8,000 union members across more than 100 bargaining units. I represent the union in arbitrations, labor board proceedings, and court, while also negotiating high-impact contracts involving millions in wages and benefits. I regularly advise the Executive Board, oversee outside counsel, and have successfully brought over 90% of outsourced work back in-house—cutting legal costs by more than 50%. I’ve maintained a 98% success rate in arbitration.

Before joining Teamsters, I served over a decade as a Litigation Attorney in the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. There, I handled high-profile felony trials, supervised legal teams, and developed litigation strategies for hundreds of complex cases. My experience spans trial advocacy, labor and employment law, legislative drafting, and compliance, and I thrive in high-stakes, fast-paced environments where adaptability and leadership are key.

I have a JD from The John Marshall Law School (now, the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Law) and a BA from Elmhurst College.