CYNTHIA L. DeCOLA represents school districts, park districts and other public and private sector clients in all areas of law, with a concentration in labor, personnel and employment discrimination matters.  As an attorney, Ms. DeCola has extensive experience in collective bargaining, grievance arbitration, contract administration, leave administration, employee discipline matters and employment litigation.  Prior to joining the firm, Ms. DeCola worked in corporate management for Jewel Food Stores, Delray Farms and Osco Drug Stores.  Among the positions held, she served as Manager of Human Resources and a Manager of Labor Relations and has practical experience in employee benefits, pension, compensation, and payroll matters.  Ms. DeCola is a frequent lecturer and instructor on a variety of employment-related topics, including employee discipline, wage and overtime issues and harassment in the workplace.  She is a certified trainer in Interest Based Bargaining techniques and is an active member of several state and national organizations devoted to the interests of human resources and labor relations professionals.  Ms. DeCola graduated summa cum laude from Elmhurst College and received her law degree from Chicago-Kent College of Law, where she was honored as a Chicago-Kent Merit Scholar.