Linda D. Friedman

Linda D. Friedman is the founding and managing partner of Stowell & Friedman, Ltd., a nationally recognized civil rights law firm. For over three decades, she has led high-profile class action and multi-plaintiff lawsuits challenging systemic discrimination in the workplace. Her advocacy has helped recover over $750 million for victims of race, gender, age, and disability discrimination.

Ms. Friedman earned her J.D. from DePaul University College of Law and her B.A. from the University of Colorado. She began her legal career as the first law clerk to Hon. Harry D. Leinenweber of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Since founding the firm in 1989, she has litigated precedent-setting cases in federal trial and appellate courts nationwide.

Ms. Friedman has served as lead counsel in some of the largest civil rights settlements in U.S. history, including McReynolds v. Merrill Lynch ($160M), Martens v. Smith Barney ($100M+), and Biondo v. City of Chicago ($50M+). These cases not only secured substantial financial relief but also compelled major institutions to implement long-term diversity and inclusion reforms.

Ms. Friedman is frequently invited to speak at national legal conferences and has lectured at institutions such as the Practising Law Institute, EEOC, and Northwestern University. Her work has been featured by major media outlets, including The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, CNN, and CNBC.

Linda D. Friedman’s honors include selection to the Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America, Illinois Super Lawyers, and multiple “Top 10” lists for plaintiff-side employment law. She has also received the Chicago Bar Association Alliance for Women Founders Award and recognition from the ACLU of Illinois as a Civil Liberties Champion.

With a career defined by impact litigation and passionate advocacy, Ms. Friedman remains a powerful force for justice, reform, and the protection of civil rights in the American workplace.

Law Office Affiliations

• Founding and Managing Partner, Stowell & Friedman, Ltd.
• Member, Chicago Bar Association
• Member, Illinois State Bar Association

Licensed State

• Illinois

Education

• DePaul University College of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• University of Colorado
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges