Natalie C. Chan

Natalie defends businesses in litigation before government agencies and in federal and state court in class and collective actions, as well as single- and multi-plaintiff cases, with respect to a broad array of employment matters, including employment discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, wage and hour, contract disputes, and restrictive covenant issues. In addition, Natalie regularly counsels employers on compliance with employment laws and provides practical, business-oriented advice on matters that arise in sensitive workplace and crisis management situations. Her counseling practice involves drafting all forms of employment-related policies and agreements that span the life cycle of a worker’s engagement, as well as training businesses and managers on topics such as workplace culture, anti-harassment, and anti-discrimination. Natalie also provides strategic support on complex employment and labor issues arising in mergers and acquisitions and other corporate transactions. Further, Natalie regularly conducts internal investigations into myriad employment-related claims, including discrimination, harassment, and other forms of workplace misconduct or policy violations involving employees at all levels.

Natalie was recognized as an “On the Rise – Top 40 Young Lawyer” by the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division in 2018. Natalie has also been recognized as a leading lawyer in the 2021–2025 editions of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in the area of Labor and Employment Law – Management.

Prior to joining Sidley, Natalie served as a judicial extern at the Cook County Circuit Court in the Law and Chancery Divisions. Natalie earned her law degree, magna cum laude and Order of the Coif, from Washington University School of Law, where she served as managing editor of the Washington University Law Review and co-taught an undergraduate course on “Women and the Law.” She also graduated magna cum laude from Northwestern University with a B.S. in Journalism.

Firm Leadership

Natalie is committed to improving diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal profession. At Sidley, Natalie served as the Chicago Associate Co-Leader of the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee and Co-Chair of Sidley’s Chicago Associate Diversity Council, through which she led efforts to advance the firm’s diversity and inclusion goals. Natalie has been involved in various firm-sponsored diversity initiatives, including the 1L Diversity Mentorship Program, Sidley Scholars Program and other pipeline programs. Natalie is also actively involved in the firm’s recruiting efforts both on and off campus and has served on the firm’s Summer Associate Program Committee. In addition, Natalie was a member of the Chicago Associate Relations Committee and formerly led a mentoring group as part of SidleyWomen’s efforts to foster personal and professional growth for female lawyers.