Illinois state Rep. Chris Nybo (R-41st, Elmhurst) was named an associate in the Labor and Employment group of Chicago law firm Much Shelist, according to a press release issued by the firm on Wednesday.

Before joining Much Shelist, Nybo was an associate at Vedder Price in Chicago. He holds a juris doctorate from the University of Chicago School of Law and a bachelor's degree from Dartmouth.

Nybo's term in the Illinois House of Representatives, which began in 2011, will end this year. He ran for state Senate in the new, redrawn 24th District in the March 20 Primary, but he lost to state Sen. Kirk Dillard (R-Hinsdale), who has served the original 24th District since 1993.

Prior to his term in the House, Nybo was an Elmhurst alderman from 2007-2010, and an Elmhurst Fire and Police commissioner from 2005-2007. He also served on the DuPage County Zoning Board of Appeals from 2003-2005.

At Much Shelist, Nybo represents clients in a wide array of employment issues and disputes. He counsels employers on matters of wrongful discharge, discrimination, harassment and wage and hour claims, according to a press release from the lawfirm. He represents clients before federal and state courts, as well as state and local administrative agencies, such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Illinois Department of Labor and the Illinois Department of Human Rights.

The firm, founded in 1970, has about 85 attorneys practicing in corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, securities and corporate finance, taxation and business planning, commercial real estate and bankruptcy, among other areas.

In announcing Nybo's position, the firm also announced the addition of David Rieser, who specializes in environmental law, and Tracy Kocourek, who practices intellectual property and technology law.

“These new attorneys add even greater depth to core practice areas that are vital to Much Shelist and its clients,” Mitchell Roth, chairman of the firm’s Management Committee, said in a prepared statement. “We are excited to add these high-caliber individuals to our growing firm.”