Top Environmental And Natural Resources Lawyers Near Me in Chicago Area

Ryan Frierott focuses his litigation practice in the fields of toxic torts, products liability, complex insurance coverage, and professional liability. He has represented clients in state and federal courts throughout the United States, and has extensive experience defending cases involving fires, product defect, expert witness challenges, and toxic tort exposure.. Ryan currently serves as national discovery counsel in toxic tort cases. In this capacity, he is responsible for identifying product issues, uniform discovery compliance, assisting local defense counsel in product-related issues to prepare for discovery, and presenting corporate witnesses for deposition. These cases involve defending alleged exposure to asbestos, manganese, and benzene contained in furnaces, welding rods, dry cleaning equipment, plastics, photographic chemicals, home appliances, and other industrial products.. Ryan has been involved in several significant cases, including:Winning summary judgment and Daubert exclusion of plaintiffs’ experts for product manufacturer in a $2 million-plus property loss/fire case in Arkansas involving alleged defects in a home applianceObtaining summary judgment and Daubert exclusion ruling affirmed for product manufacturer in a personal injury/property loss/fire case in Eighth Circuit involving alleged defects in a home applianceWinning summary judgment for surveyor in Illinois case where plaintiff suffered significant personal injuries when she tripped over a construction stakeRyan is a products liability columnist for the Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel's quarterly publication and has written for the Defense Research Institute. These articles involve substantial product liability issues, including the investigation of fire scenes and the applicability of the malfunction theory in fire and medical device cases. He also is the co-editor of the firm's Trial by Fire blog.

My purpose in leaving big law firms and forming my own small firm was to provide the same big firm legal services to clients at a lower cost with more personalized service. The goal has more than been accomplished. I (and more importantly my clients) have been thrilled with the result.

Mark Sargis has practiced environmental, zoning and land use law since 1986, representing corporate clients, small businesses, financial institutions, and individuals. He focuses his practice in Illinois and neighboring Midwestern states, dealing with federal and state law, as well as local ordinances and regulation.

I am an attorney at Peckar & Abramson, P.C. I represent businesses and individuals in litigation matters.  My mission is to work hard to see that you get the best possible result in the most cost-effective manner. I will be there to protect your interests, whether you are the plaintiff or the defendant.My experience includes claims for insurance coverage, products liability, defamation, fraud, and breach of contract. My environmental expertise includes handling significant litigation matters, including Superfund cases and wrongful death, personal injury, and property damage claims arising out of underground storage tank leaks, spills of chlorinated solvents, and other chemical releases. I have represented clients before the U.S. EPA, the Illinois EPA, and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality in enforcement matters. I have counseled clients on compliance and/or permitting issues under the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and Toxic Substances Control Act. I have also helped clients take advantage of state and federal audit policies. In addition, I have advised clients on mergers and acquisitions concerning environmental liability and permitting issues, and conducted due diligence and prepared representations and warranties for corporate transactions.I received a Bachelor of Arts degree, magna cum laude, from Marquette University, and a Juris Doctor, summa cum laude, from DePaul University College of Law. While at DePaul, I was on law review and an extern for The Honorable Blanche M. Manning, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.I am accepting new clients and appreciate any referrals. You are welcome to meet with me for free, without cost or obligation of any kind. To set up a free initial consultation, please contact my office by phone at or e-mail at