Greater Chicago Area
Ally Pruitt is Senior Counsel in the Chicago office of GRSM whose practice includes employment and commercial litigation in federal and state court. She has successfully litigated, mediated, and negotiated a variety of cases on behalf of her clients before administrative agencies, including the IDHR and EEOC, and in various courts across the country. Ms. Pruitt frequently provides forward-thinking counseling to employers, including drafting and implementing anti-discrimination policies and procedures, discipline, work performance polices, leave policies, and workplace accommodations. In her commercial ligation practice, she represents clients at each turn of the litigation process, keeping in mind each client’s unique needs. Ms. Pruitt has successfully resolved a multitude of case through arbitration and mediation, as well as prepared cases for trial. Further, she is one of six first-term fellows with the ABA - Dispute Resolution Section and a Co-Chair of the Associates’ Committee - Coalition of Women’s Initiatives in Law. In addition to her practice, Ms. Pruitt is an Adjunct Professor at her alma mater, UIC School of Law. She graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2021, as well as earned two CALI awards for her top grades in Constitutional Law II and International Commercial Dispute Resolution. In 2020, Ms. Pruitt was named the National Law Student of the Year by National Jurist Magazine, an honor given to just one student in the country each year. While in law school, Ms. Pruitt externed at the Illinois Appellate Court – First District with Justice Carl A. Walker, the Cook County Public Defender’s Office – Homicide Task Force, and at the Chicago Transit Authority. She gained significant research experience as a research assistant for Professor Hugh Mundy and spent two full years as a Student Attorney in the school’s Pro Bono Litigation Clinic, where she appeared in front of the Illinois Prisoner Review Board, worked with the wrongfully convicted, and assisted with adoptions in circuit court. Prior to law school, Ms. Pruitt earned her bachelor’s degree in Journalism from DePaul University. Her focus was on sports broadcast, which led to her employment at NBC Sports Chicago where she worked throughout law school. Outside of her legal work, Ms. Pruitt is the CEO/Founder of The Impact Project, a 501(c)(3) organization aimed at impacting the lives of youth in underserved communities by providing resources, mentorship and guidance. As a pillar of the mission, Ms. Pruitt and her team work directly with first-generation students across the United States.
Practicing in the firm’s employment, commercial litigation and toxic tort practice groups.
Founded a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization to impact the lives of youth in underserved communities by providing resources, mentorship, and guidance. Working to help youth realize and understand their potential by providing different and unique blueprints of how to reach success from individuals who come from similar circumstances. Created a free nine-week program for pre-law and 1L law students to help them find success in law school and beyond. “Success Sessions” were held bi-weekly on Zoom with an average of 50 participants from all over the country in attendance. Co-hosted a Book Bag Drive with Secretary of State Jesse White, Chicago Neighbor’s United, Alderman Walter Burnett Jr., and other Illinois elected officials to hand out over 1,000 book bags filled with supplies to Chicago Public School youth on Chicago’s west side. Spearheaded The Impact Project Mentorship Program working directly with underserved youth in small groups and matching them with mentors in career areas of their interest.
Drafted and presented the company’s first social media policy and revised the sexual harassment and discrimination policy to meet legislative standards. Wrote a successful position statement for an EEOC claim which led to immediate dismissal. Wrote a closing arbitral brief opposing a shift premium to overtime pay and paid time off for union workers. Reviewed advertisement requests from Uber, YWCA, and CW26 for compliance with the company’s advertisement policy. Drafted a multi-million dollar property ordinance between the City of Chicago and the CTA. Drafted an intergovernmental agreement regarding federal funding and government programs between the City of Chicago and the CTA. Wrote a motion for summary judgment, a 619/615 motion, and memorandum on ADA violations. Interviewed witnesses, shadowed depositions and arbitrations, and participated in budget meetings.
Presented two cases in Springfield, IL in front of the parole board and submitted two 50 page parole plans with multiple exhibits. Wrote a habeas corpus petition filed in the United States District Court – Northern District of IL. Retained and prepared expert witnesses including psychologists, public health officials, and criminologists. Filed a successful adoption petition in the First Municipal District of Cook County. Conducted client intakes and drafted intra-office memoranda regarding initial recommendations. Engaged in pre-trial discovery, settlement negotiations and court proceedings for criminal and civil cases.