While the business of law can often involve abstract academic theorizing on behalf of faceless corporations, I am fortunate enough to do something quite different. I represent individual employees, which means I never lose touch with who I am fighting for or the goals of obtaining real-world positive results. My aim is to advise my clients thoroughly and advocate relentlessly on their behalf, because I understand that they often have no other places to turn when confronting what are typically stressful and frightening crossroads in their careers.
“I never lose touch with who I am fighting for or the goals of obtaining real-world positive results.”
Adam Herzog, a partner of Katz Banks Kumin, joined the Firm in December 2013.
Mr. Herzog has represented numerous clients pursuing whistleblower tips before the SEC and CFTC and has successfully assisted them in earning millions of dollars in award payments. For instance, the Securities and Exchange Commission recently awarded a client of Mr. Herzog’s $3.2 million for supplying critical information that led directly to a successful enforcement action against a large financial institution. He regularly represents for-profit and non-profit executives in negotiating employment agreements. He also counsels employees from all levels of organizations negotiating separation and severance agreements. A dedicated advocate, Mr. Herzog has successfully represented clients through various employment disputes, including the pursuit of claims for race, gender, disability and age discrimination, as well as for protections offered under whistleblower and wage and hour laws.
For instance, in EEOC v. WRS, he represented eleven construction workers, alongside the EEOC, in obtaining a $2.75 million settlement from a national corporation in an action involving allegations of hangman's nooses and other invidious acts of discrimination. In another matter, Mr. Herzog served as first chair in successfully representing a banker against his former employer in a five-day FINRA arbitration focusing on whistleblowing and defamation issues.
Prior to joining Katz Banks Kumin, Mr. Herzog worked with the firms Robinson, Curley & Clayton P.C. and Latham & Watkins LLP in Chicago. In the legal community, Mr. Herzog previously served as the co-chair for the social action committee of Decalogue Society of Lawyer’s – Chicago’s Jewish law association. He also participated in the University of Chicago’s Civil Rights and Police Accountability Clinic Project, focusing on issues of criminal justice. He has taught continuing legal education courses on employment agreements, employment law and disability discrimination for the District of Columbia Bar and American Law Institute Continuing Legal Education. Prior to law school, Mr. Herzog served with the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps, a team-based national community service organization.
Mr. Herzog was recognized from 2019-2021 as a top employment attorney in the D.C. area by Super Lawyers, after being honored as a "Super Lawyers Rising Star" in 2014, and from 2016-2018.
Adam earned his J.D. in 2004 from the University of Chicago Law School and his undergraduate degree in Finance in 2000 from the University of Pennsylvania – The Wharton School. Mr. Herzog served as law clerk for the Honorable Judge Philip Simon of the Northern District of Indiana.
