“Good, hardworking people representing good, hardworking clients; that is who we are and what we do.” – Leslie Quade Kennedy
Leslie Quade Kennedy graduated from Saint Xavier University with a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration with emphasis in Accounting. She earned her Juris Doctorate from IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law in 1991. She is admitted to practice in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
Prior to joining Odelson, Murphey, Frazier & McGrath, Ltd., Leslie served as an Assistant State’s Attorney for the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. There, she litigated felony jury trials, handled capital case post-conviction and DNA matters, wrote appellate briefs and argued before the Appellate Court. Additionally, she served as the State’s Attorney’s Executive Clemency Coordinator.
At OMFM, Ltd., Leslie’s primary practice consists of representing governmental bodies and religious organizations. She counsels municipalities, schools, and park districts on a wide spectrum of matters, including labor and employment, FOIA, Open Meetings Act, construction projects, policy, and governance. She has advised religious organizations on areas including corporate and employment matters. For school clients, Leslie provides counsel on issues including student discipline and special education and represents public school districts at grievance hearings, arbitrations, and in matters before the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board. Leslie has lectured on the topics of residency, discipline, search and seizure of students, and special education. She is a member of the Illinois Council of School Attorneys.
An experienced litigator, Leslie defends governmental bodies in both federal and state courts. From Section 1983 to tort actions, Leslie is well-versed in the immunities available to governmental bodies and successfully represents them in litigation matters. Leslie heads the law firm’s FOIA practice and defends clients in FOIA litigation.
Leslie has held two elected positions: Alderman for the City of Blue Island and school board member for Cook County School District 130.