Rebecca Fuentes is an Associate in Pugh, Jones & Johnson's Litigation Practice Group. She litigates a broad range of complex civil matters in both federal and state court. Prior to joining the Firm, she served for two years as a staff law clerk at the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.
Experience
- Representation of private and public employers and universities in employment litigation matters, including lawsuits brought under Title VII, ADA, FMLA, the Illinois Whistleblower Act and the Illinois Ethics Act.
- Representation of area municipalities and their employees in defense against civil rights lawsuits.
- Representation of management in the healthcare and other industries in connection with investigations under the False Claims Act and Stark Law, including qui tam lawsuits.
- Representation of corporations in commercial disputes, including claims of breach of fiduciary duty.
- Representation of commuter rail line in Title VI class action alleging discriminatory funding in the transportation industry.
Ms. Fuentes was a staff editor of the DePaul Law Review and a member of the National Moot Court Team while a student at DePaul University College of Law. She won best brief at the 2005 school-wide moot court competition, and her team won best brief at the 2006 Jerome D. Prince National Evidence Moot Court Competition. She also received four CALI Awards for Excellence in Contracts I, Contracts II, Constitutional Law, and Bankruptcy.
Prior Work History
United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit - Chicago, Illinois – Staff Law Clerk - 2006 – 2008
Worked with all judges of the Seventh Circuit performing duties of judicial clerk: prepared bench memoranda and drafted opinions on cases subject to oral argument. Assisted three-judge panels in deliberative conferences on cases not subject to oral argument.
Robinson Curley & Clayton, P.C - Chicago, Illinois - Summer Associate - 2005
Participated in briefing a case before the Supreme Court of the United States (Scheidler v. National
Organization for Women, 547 U.S. 9 (2006)); question presented was whether a RICO injunction should stand against anti-abortion protesters. Collaborated in drafting motions, including motion to dismiss and for summary judgment.
Office of the Illinois Attorney General - Chicago, Illinois, Spring Extern - 2005
Civil Appeals Bureau drafted sections of appellate briefs. “Mooted” attorneys in preparation for oral arguments.
Babbitt and Melton LLP - Chicago, Illinois - Summer Associate - 2004
Prepared research memoranda on issues of employment and contract law. Participated in deposition
preparations.
Memberships
American Bar Association
Chicago Bar Association
Practice Areas
Education
DePaul University College of Law, J.D., summa cum laude 2006; Order of the Coif
Northwestern University, B.A., 2003
Admissions
Illinois
U.S. District Court, N.D. of Illinois