Jeffrey Taren

Jeffrey L. Taren is a highly respected civil rights and employment attorney with decades of experience litigating complex federal cases across the United States. He is known for his success in class action lawsuits, housing discrimination, and employment rights, having recovered millions on behalf of clients and nationwide classes.

Mr. Taren graduated With Highest Distinction from Rutgers College in 1974 and earned his Juris Doctor cum laude from Boston College Law School in 1977. He is admitted to practice in Washington, Illinois, and multiple U.S. District and Circuit Courts, including the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals.

Mr. Taren is nationally recognized as an expert in federal Fair Housing Law. He has litigated hundreds of housing discrimination cases, including zoning disputes and challenges to exclusionary housing practices. He co-authored a leading law review article on mortgage discrimination and served for over 25 years as General Counsel to Chicago-area Fair Housing Centers.

In employment law, Mr. Taren has secured major victories, including a landmark case for African-American FBI agents and one of the first rulings under the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act. His advocacy has delivered significant results in disability rights, whistleblower retaliation, FMLA violations, and wage and hour claims.

Mr. Taren also has extensive experience in arbitration and mediation. He serves on the American Arbitration Association’s employment panels and has adjudicated civil rights cases for the Chicago Human Relations Commission. He was selected to help distribute a $160 million race discrimination settlement in a major class action against Merrill Lynch.

Through leadership roles in civil rights organizations and impactful litigation, Jeffrey L. Taren continues to shape the landscape of justice and equality. His work consistently delivers meaningful legal change and restitution for marginalized communities.

Law Office Affiliations

• Attorney, MacDonald Hoague & Bayless
• Member, Washington State Bar Association
• Member, Washington Employment Lawyers Association
• Member, Illinois State Bar Association
• Member, Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals
• President, Chicago Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law

Licensed State

• Washington
• Illinois

Education

• Boston College of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Rutgers College
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges