Top best Civil Lawyers Near me in ZIP 60602

Terry J. Smith is a partner with Smith O'Callaghan & White. He has represented employers in all aspects of labor and employment law for more than 30 years, representing and regularly advising corporate defendants in litigation involving labor and employment matters in federal and state courts, and administrative agencies, throughout the United States. Prior to founding a boutique firm, Mr. Smith was a partner with Schiff Hardin & Waite in Chicago and began his career with Foley & Lardner in Milwaukee.. He has been named an Illinois Super Lawyer for the past 13 consecutive years (2007-2019), representing the top 5% of all attorneys in the State of Illinois. Mr. Smith has been awarded the AV® Preeminent Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest rating for ethics and legal ability. He has led Smith O'Callaghan & White to a place among "Go-To Law Firms" for corporate counsel and national recognition as a "best-in-class" boutique law firm providing exemplary client focus and service.. Mr. Smith deals extensively with all phases of employment-related litigation in the federal and state courts — from pre-litigation counsel, to discovery, to dispositive motions, to trial. He has represented employers in single-party and multi-party litigation. His experience encompasses cases involving employment discrimination, sexual harassment, wrongful discharge, breach of employment contract, trade secret misappropriation, covenants not-to-compete, unfair competition, employee pirating, breach of fiduciary duty, ERISA obligations in reductions-in-force, workplace defamation and many other labor and employment issues. He has successfully litigated these cases throughout the country.. Mr. Smith also has represented employers in a number of precedent-setting cases, including cases involving: the doctrine of inevitable disclosure of trade secrets, legal obligations of employers in reductions-in-force, workplace defamation law favorable to all Illinois employers on absolute privilege and self-publication, no individual supervisor liability under Title VII, notice requirements in alleged harrassment cases, arbitration of private employment contract disputes and the first case to reach the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit substantively interpreting the FMLA. He also has successfully defended employers in many cases involving claims of employment discrimination, sexual harassment and other workplace issues that have resulted in reported decisions favorable to employers in the federal and state courts. He has extensive experience representing employers in administrative agency investigations, and in labor arbitrations and mediations.. Mr. Smith regularly counsels companies and other law firms on legal compliance, avoidance of employee claims and alternative dispute resolution. His labor and employment counsel encompasses problematic terminations, employment contracts and restrictive covenants, harassment issues, disability accommodation, FMLA compliance and a wide range of other workplace issues.

Since beginning in the practice of immigration law more than 30 years ago, the most important thing I have learned is to not predict or anticipate a negative outcome to a case.  I will not accept a legal matter that I think is frivolous or not supported by law, but there are many cases in which hard work, study of the law and creative advocacy can influence the interpretation of a difficult issue, or gain favorable exercise of discretion of an  immigration official or judge. As a colleague taught me a long time ago, if something is not prohibited, it is permitted.  Immigration lawyers occupy a peculiar space where, often, government practices are not policies, policies are not rules, rules are not law, and both rules and law seem to be dispensed with, with hardly a second thought.  We are persuasive advocates when we bring whatever authority we can muster to bear on a given situation.  The adjudicator or IJ will say, "what? there is a rule or a law to apply?"  And that can make all the difference in a given case.

Recognized by her peers as an Illinois "Super Lawyer" and/or "Leading Lawyer"  for every year since 2007, Ms. Stewart has built a successful litigation practice in the areas of ethics and professional liability, ARDC defense, and commercial litigation.After graduating from Northwestern University's School of Law in 1994, Ms. Stewart served as a prosecutor at the ARDC where she investigated and litigated numerous attorney disciplinary cases. In 1999, she was promoted to Senior Counsel to the Administrator of the ARDC, a position she held until leaving the ARDC for private practice.In 2002, she joined the law firm of prominent trial attorney Donald Hubert, where she was promoted to partner in 2005 and litigated a wide range of sophisticated matters. For example, she represented the City of Chicago in a high-profile police brutality case, was appointed as a Special Assistant Attorney General to represent the Illinois Gaming Board and successfully defeated claims for injunctive relief sought by Emerald Casino, and obtained a favorable settlement for a private business in a lawsuit filed by the State's Attorney's Office alleging multiple violations of the Illinois Consumer Fraud Act.  At the Gloor Law Group, Ms. Stewart has represented numerous corporate clients in litigation matters, including Exelon Corporation, one of the nation's largest electric utilities.  Widely regarded as a top "lawyer's lawyer," Ms. Stewart has testified as an expert in legal ethics and regularly advises and represents governmental entities, corporations, law firms, and individual lawyers in ethics matters. For example, she has conducted internal ethics investigations, including "Himmel" investigations, for some of the largest law firms in Chicago. She also regularly represents attorneys before the ARDC and has obtained dismissals of formal complaints in several matters.  Ms. Stewart has also successfully represented applicants at all stages before the Illinois Board of Admission to the Bar.  She has represented both plaintiffs and defendants in professional liability matters, recently obtaining a $3.5 million settlement in a case involving architectural negligence and a $500,000 settlement in a legal malpractice matter involving a divorce case.

Practice focuses on resolving commercial disputes, with offices in both Chicago, Illinois and Doha, Qatar.  Also one of the few lawyers to specialize in disputes over cryopreserved embryos.

Laura A. White is a partner with Smith O'Callaghan & White and has extensive experience advising corporations in employment-related litigation. She has in-depth knowledge of the employment discrimination laws, employer compliance and federal and state court litigation in the employment law arena.. Ms. White holds the AV® Preeminent Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, its highest rating for ethics and legal ability. Ms. White was selected by her peers and recognized as an Illinois Rising Star in Labor and Employment Law in 2008 and 2009, and an Illinois Super Lawyer in 2010, 2011 and 2012. www.superlawyers.com In addition, she is a Leading Lawyer in Illinois, named by her peers as a top lawyer in the category of Employment Law: Management. www.leadinglawyers.com. Ms. White has been a partner with Smith O'Callaghan & White since its formation, and was previously an associate with Kessler Smith & Powen. Prior to her years in private practice, Ms. White gained legal experience with the University of Dayton Office of Legal Affairs and was an attorney with Loyola University of Chicago's Office of the General Counsel.. Ms. White represents employers in numerous federal court and administrative agency proceedings, involving allegations of race discrimination, sex discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful discharge, age discrimination, disability discrimination and state handicap discrimination, to name a few. She consistently obtains favorable resolutions to discrimination and harassment charges and complaints filed with various federal, state and local fair employment practices agencies, including the U. S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Illinois Department of Human Rights, the Illinois Human Rights Commission, the City of Chicago Commission on Human Rights, the Wisconsin Equal Rights Division, and the Indiana Civil Rights Commission, among others. Ms. White was a member of the defense team representing one of the first corporations to be sued under the Family and Medical Leave Act ("FMLA"), a case that resulted in the first matter to be heard by the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals interpreting the FMLA. She also recently obtained the dismissal of FMLA and retaliatory discharge claims in a matter involving novel interpretation of judicial estoppel arguments.. Ms. White actively counsels employers on navigating the requirements of the ADA to ensure statutory compliance in dealing with employees with alleged disabilities and requests for reasonable accommodation. Ms. White's record of success in obtaining dismissal or summary judgment on ADA and other discrimination claims is a direct result of her expertise in the area of employment discrimination law and her impassioned result-oriented approach to representing her clients. Most recently, Ms. White has secured victory for her clients in contentious litigation involving alleged pattern and practice claims of age and disability discrimination in federal court, as well as numerous EEOC investigations.. Ms. White also represents employers in breach of employment contract litigation, wrongful discharge claims, wage and hour claims, including the recent vindication of an employer in a wage claim in which the employee abused the judicial process, and employment-related torts, such as employee theft and wrongdoing and workplace defamation. She frequently provides critical counseling to her clients on problematic discipline and termination decisions in order to limit potential exposure and liability.

Kevin Durkin is a partner at Clifford Law Offices. Over a career that spans more than 35 years, Mr. Durkin has successfully represented clients in many practice areas, including:. Mr. Durkin has been named a top-tier attorney by U.S. News-Best Lawyers in the areas of personal injury litigation, aviation law and product liability since 2011. Most recently he was named the Lawyer of the Year in 2020 in the area of Plaintiffs' Product Liability Litigation. These accolades are based on peer reviews and his legal ability, professionalism and integrity. He has also been named an Illinois Super Lawyer and a Leading Lawyer since 2003, its inception in the state.. While he is an established attorney for personal injury, Mr. Durkin is perhaps best known for his work as an aviation accident attorney. He has been involved in nearly every major commercial airline crash of the last four decades, often serving as lead counsel.. With his experience and success as an aviation accident attorney, Mr. Durkin served for four years as the Co-Chair of the Aviation Committee for the 75,000-member American Bar Association's Section of Litigation. In that position, he chaired an annual program that brings together the best and the brightest to discuss cutting-edge issues in aviation litigation. He often still serves as a speaker for that annual program. Mr. Durkin served for two years as Co-Chair of the Mass Torts Litigation Committee and has served as Vice-Chair of the Aviation and Space Law Committee of the Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section of the American Bar Association.. After he graduated from DePaul University College of Law, Mr. Durkin served as an Assistant State's Attorney in the Cook County State's Attorney's Office in Chicago for eight years from 1980 to 1988. Since then, he has focused on civil litigation at Clifford Law Offices.

Keith Hebeisen is a partner at Clifford Law Offices. One of the most respected medical malpractice attorneys in Illinois, Mr. Hebeisen has achieved great results for clients in settlements and trials. Although Mr. Hebeisen concentrates his practice in the area of medical malpractice cases against doctors and hospitals, he has represented individuals in a wide variety of cases, including transportation, product liability and toxic torts. We are proud to have him on our team.. Mr. Hebeisen has been a trial attorney for over 37 years. He is known for his no-nonsense style and has garnered the respect of both plaintiff and defense attorneys. Mr. Hebeisen is thorough in the investigation, preparation, and trial of each of his cases, which are often highly complex with many defendants, putting his clients in the best position to have successful outcomes. Mr. Hebeisen has handled numerous appeals in the Illinois appellate and supreme courts.. Mr. Hebeisen also makes time to give back to the profession in substantial ways. He served as President of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association from 2005 to 2006. He has served as the Chair of the American Bar Association Standing Committee on Medical Professional Liability. He is also very active in numerous other bar associations. Mr. Hebeisen has been an active leader in the fight to preserve the right to trial by jury. He has been an outspoken advocate against caps on damages in the legislature and courts of Illinois. He also has written extensively on these subjects, and Illinois lawyers throughout the state consult him on these very important issues.. Mr. Hebeisen enjoys using his strong writing skills and is the author of many publications. He has been the Editor of the Illinois Bar Journal for two years and has edited ITLA’s Medical Malpractice Trial Notebook since 1992. Using his background as a medical malpractice attorney, he has presented numerous lectures at seminars for professional associations on a wide range of topics. Mr. Hebeisen has planned and moderated numerous continuing legal education programs, including the ITLA Medical Malpractice Seminar, a widely attended all-day program held annually in Chicago.

Joseph W. Balesteri is a partner at the Chicago-based plaintiff’s law firm Power Rogers. He joined the firm in 2000, and since that time, has handled many cases successfully, resulting in more than $400 million in verdicts and settlements for his clients, an average of $25 million per year. In recognition of his dedication to plaintiffs and achievements in the field, Mr. Balesteri has been awarded with honors such as “Super Lawyers” and “Leading Lawyers” by the Law Bulletin Publishing Company.

Jeremy S. Baker is a Chicago-based construction attorney. From 2006-2019, he served clients at Schiff Hardin LLP, where he was a partner and a member of its national Construction Law practice. Previously, he was an attorney at Cozen O’Connor PC. Jeremy founded Baker Law Group LLC in 2019. An Adjunct Professor of Law at The John Marshall Law School, he taught an elective Construction Law course though the Center for Real Estate Law (Fall Semesters 2016, 2017, 2018). Jeremy helps his clients to complete challenging projects by emphasizing dispute avoidance and early, cost-efficient resolution of claims. He represents developers, lenders, design professionals, owners, and contractors in all aspects of design and construction. Jeremy’s practice involves project structuring across many project delivery methods, plus contract review and negotiation. Jeremy has prosecuted and defended lawsuits in well over 30 state and federal court venues – but he prefers to resolve disputes using cost-efficient alternative dispute resolution. Jeremy is a graduate of the Tulane University Law School and the University of California, Santa Barbara. He can be reached at or.Link to website bio:

I consider myself an aggressive, prepared, and determined criminal defense lawyer and I've devoted myself to my profession. I am fascinated by the law and I enjoy fighting to protect the rights of my clients.  Whether you are charged with first degree murder or a misdemeanor marijuana case, I always give 100%.

I am a full time trial attorney that exclusively represents individuals who have been severely injured or family members of individuals who have been killed as a result of the negligent or wrongful conduct of others.

I am a 62 year old husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, friend and trial lawyer. My job is to obtain justice for people who have been harmed using their right to trial by jury, truth and the law. My professional credentials can be seen at .

Colin Dunn has been practicing law for over a decade. He was named to the Law Bulletin Publishing Company's "40 under 40" attorney list, recognizing Illinois' top up and coming lawyers in 2010. He was also named a Super Lawyers' "Rising Star" from 2009-2013. Since 2013, he has been named both a Super Lawyer and a Leading Lawyer. He was named a Best Lawyer of 2017. And he is listed in Who's Who in Law Higher Education for his class on aviation law.. He has litigated and tried a number of high profile, complex cases, including:. $112 million dollar verdict for two men injured in a grain bin explosion at a ConAgra mill in southern Illinois (11th highest verdict by National Law Journal's The Top 100 Verdicts of 2012 ). $100 million dollar settlement from litigation stemming from a 2003 fire at the Cook County Administration Building. $22.7 million dollar verdict for the family of a husband and father killed by an intoxicated driver (90th highest verdict by Top Verdicts for 2016). $18.5 million settlement on behalf of two workers who suffered severe burns after an explosion at a train derailment clean-up site in Kentucky. $11 million settlement for a family of a father of three who was killed when a building under construction partially collapsed. $10 million dollar verdict in a premises liability case for the family of a 22 year old woman murdered in her apartment due to the landlord's negligent security practices. $9 million settlement for a family whose parents were killed when their car was struck by a news van

Bob Clifford is the founder of Clifford Law Offices, which concentrates its practice in helping victims of personal injury, medical malpractice, mass torts, consumer and health care fraud, product liability, and aviation and transportation disasters. Bob regularly handles complex damage cases and routinely receives multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements.. Mr. Clifford has represented those injured or killed in every major commercial airline crash in the U.S. in the last three decades. Clifford was named Lead Counsel in the U.S. federal district court litigation involving the crash of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302’s Boeing 737 Max8 jet on March 10, 2019, in Ethiopia. His aviation litigation representation includes the American Airlines crash at O’Hare in 1979; the United Airlines DC-10 crash in Sioux City, Iowa, in 1989; the Comair runway crash in Lexington, Kentucky of 2006; the Continental Colgan crash of 2009; and, internationally, the Turkish Airlines crash in Amsterdam of 2009 as well as the tragic Boeing crash of a 737 MAX-8 in Ethiopia in 2019. Mr. Clifford served as the liaison counsel for the subrogation and business property damage claims that resulted from our nation’s tragedy on September 11, 2001 at the World Trade Center in New York. He served as lead counsel in the negotiation and settlement of those claims that settled for $1.2 billion.. Bob was named by Best Lawyers/U.S. News & World Report as the Lawyer of the Year in Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions in 2016 and again in 2019 in the Chicago metropolitan area. He was appointed to serve as co-lead counsel in a case for which several attorneys recently secured a $250 million settlement against State Farm Insurance company. Bob also serves as co-lead counsel in a data breach case filed in state court against Advocate Medical Group, Illinois’ largest healthcare system, involving more than four million patients and reportedly the largest healthcare data breach in the nation’s history. In addition, Bob was appointed as co-lead counsel in a class action filed against Pella Windows Corporation, a nationwide window manufacturer. U.S. District Court Judge James B. Zagel of the Northern District of Illinois appointed Clifford “as class counsel for his demonstrated skills in the field”. Most recently, Bob and other attorneys have joined to represent numerous hospitals across the country in their fight against the manufacturers of opioid drugs. Clifford Law Offices also represents numerous women in their allegations against Johnson & Johnson stemming from use of the company’s talcum powder products. Just recently, the National Trial Lawyers named Bob Clifford as the Class Action Trial Lawyer of 2018.In addition to practicing law, Mr. Clifford is dedicated to the furtherance of the legal profession and has been actively involved in and held leadership roles with the American Bar Association (Chair of the Section of Litigation and Chair of the ABA’s charitable arm, the Fund for Justice and Education), Chicago Bar Association (President), Chicago Inn of Court (President), American College of Trial Lawyers and Illinois Trial Lawyers Association (President). He is also a member of the American Law Institute, the Inner Circle of Advocates and serves on the Board of Directors for the RAND Institute for Civil Justice. For more than 25 years, he has sponsored the Annual Clifford Tort Symposium on Tort Law and Civil Justice at DePaul University College of Law. Mr. Clifford also served as Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Naples Children & Education Foundation, a charitable organization and host of the Naples Winter Wine Festival, which benefits over 200,000 at-risk and underprivileged children in Southwest Florida.

Experienced Civil attorney serving clients in Park Ridge and surrounding areas.

Experienced Civil attorney serving clients in Park Ridge and surrounding areas.

Experienced Civil attorney serving clients in Park Ridge and surrounding areas.

Experienced Civil attorney serving clients in Park Ridge and surrounding areas.

Experienced Civil attorney serving clients in Park Ridge and surrounding areas.

Experienced Civil attorney serving clients in Park Ridge and surrounding areas.

Experienced Civil attorney serving clients in Park Ridge and surrounding areas.