RICHARD H. WESSELS, the firm's founder, received his law degree from DePaul University in 1967. During his final year of law school, Mr. Wessels worked full time for a major manufacturer dealing with the UAW. This was his start in labor law. The 1960's were the heyday of union influence. Mr. Wessels was fascinated to observe the workings of labor unions at close hand and to note the effect unions could exert upon corporations, as well as upon the average worker. From this early exposure grew his life-long interest in working with unionized companies or companies facing the threat of unionization.

Mr. Wessels' career path included top officer-level positions with two major Chicago corporations where his experience in negotiating with unions was put to the test. His work involved extensive and continual travel throughout the United States. After years spent sharpening his skills in the corporate world, Mr. Wessels decided to open his own labor and employment boutique law firm. The firm opened in 1985 and became known as Wessels & Pautsch, P.C., now Wessels Pautsch & Sherman P.C..

Behind Mr. Wessels' leadership, Wessels Pautsch & Sherman P.C. has established a solid reputation as one of the leading labor and employment law firms in the Midwest. Wessels Pautsch & Sherman P.C. has won recognition from the prestigious Martindale-Hubbell Legal Directory, and Mr. Wessels has been honored as a top attorney by numerous legal publications. He is proud of his recent recognition as an "Illinois Super Lawyer."

Now that the firm is solidly established and growing, Mr. Wessels continues to oversee its development and expansion. While remaining true to its original purpose, Mr. Wessels has overseen W&P's creation of innovative new programs to serve companies as they cope with the complexities of labor and employment law in the first decade of the 21st century. As always, excellence and service continue to be the firm's guiding objectives. Mr. Wessels continues in his leadership role, and is actively involved not only in employment law matters for his clients, but particularly in continuing to do what he does best-helping companies deal with their union issues.