Litigation
Our litigators handle a wide variety of matters ranging from commercial cases to personal lawsuits involving real estate and probate disputes. Our commercial litigation group has prosecuted and defended complex business cases that involve Preliminary and Permanent Injunctions, violations of the Illinois Trade Secret Act, violations of the Illinois Consumer Fraud Act, and violations of Illinois Business Corporation Act as well as small business shareholder disputes and lease disputes. We also represent parties in straight forward breach of contract cases and simple collection cases. Our attorneys have represented parties in Cook, Lake, Will, DuPage, McHenry, and Kane County as well as some other collar counties. All of our litigators have experience in state and federal courts and in alternative dispute resolution cases such as arbitrations and mediations. Just as you work with your customers to grow and strengthen their business, our litigators work with you to provide the legal expertise that can put you in the strongest position in the courtroom.
Articles on Litigation
- Mediation and the Legal Process
- by Lance Ziebell
Mediation can play a valuable role in the litigation process. Typically, mediation is used to help bring warring parties together in an effort to resolve a particular piece of litigation. In some instances, even if settlement is not reached, the positions of the parties become clearer and it becomes... read more
- I Called the Cops, but Don't Want to Testify
- by Sami Azhari
Many times, victims of a crime call the police in a moment of peril. They find themselves in a dangerous position and do not have any other option. The police come to their rescue, and the victim is eventually sent a subpoena to testify in court. But what happens if they no longer want to testify?... read more
- It's Just Weed
- by Sami Azhari
Possession of cannabis is a criminal offense in the state of Illinois. Despite the constant efforts of states and lawmakers to legalize the drug, the efforts always fall short, including places such as California. Despite the notion that the drug is harmless, and should not be a major issue, being... read more
- Is Your Business Protected from Fraudulent Bank Transfers?
- by Lance Ziebell
Is your bank liable if money is fraudulently taken out of your commercial bank account? It very well may be. While individuals are protected by insurance provided by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, corporate and business accounts are not so protected. Therefore, when cyber-criminals... read more
- Considering the NFL Contract
- by Lance Ziebell
With football season upon us and training camps wrapping up, it seemed timely to consider the nature of contracts between owners and players. More particularly, how much leverage does a player have when “holding out” for more money? NFL contracts are similar to other contracts.... read more
- What's the Big Deal about Using a Fake ID?
- by Sami Azhari
Unfortunately, this question is asked frequently at this time of the year. With colleges and universities around the country starting classes, many of the students want to experience more than what campus life has to offer. While some universities allow students under 21 to enter the bars without... read more
- Automatic Revocation of Driving Privileges
- by Sami Azhari
Over time, Illinois has become one of the strictest states when it comes to driving penalties. First, there was a change in DUI law that required a Breath Alcohol Interlock Ignition Device (BAIID) in the automobiles of people receiving a finding of court supervision for driving with a blood alcohol... read more
- Get Your Mechanics Lien Properly Noticed or You May Have No Lien at All
- by Lance Ziebell
With the weather finally taking a turn for the better, it’s time for homeowners to start making home improvements. If you are a contractor or sub-contractor working on someone’s home, you may have mechanics lien rights for the work you perform. However, in order to make your mechanics... read more
- New Speeding Law in Illinois
- by Sami Azhari
Previously, a traffic offense in Illinois had never seemed like a serious issue for licensed motorists. However, putting the pedal to the metal will no longer result in just a speeding ticket thanks to a new Illinois law that went into effect January 1, 2011. This new law is composed of two important... read more
- Hines Ward Forgot his Grace on the Dance Floor
- by Sami Azhari
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol on Saturday July 9, 2011; after claiming to be at a bar in Atlanta. According to reports, Ward had bloodshot eyes, stumbled through the alphabet, couldn’t keep his balance, and emitted a strong... read more
- CDL Holders Forced to Find Loopholes
- by Sami Azhari
For defendants of regular class D driver’s licenses who are found guilty after a trial or plead guilty in traffic court, a sentence of supervision is the best outcome. Supervision is a sentence where the court defers judgment until a later date. During this period of time, the defendant is considered... read more
- Cook County Foreclosure Cases Slowed by Investigations
- by Kristina Buchthal Regal
Foreclosure cases in Cook County have faced several noteworthy setbacks that have made the prosecution of many cases take months longer than expected. Investigations into the signing of affidavits by plaintiffs and their attorneys and accusations of shoddy legal work by banks’... read more
- Don't Blow Your Case Away
- by Sami Azhari
Many drivers are frequently finding themselves in the position of driving late at night after consuming alcohol, only to be pulled over for a traffic violation. If during the investigatory stop, the officer detects even a slight odor of alcohol, the driver is asked out of the car to perform field... read more
- How Long Does a Lawsuit Really Take?
- by Lance Ziebell
One question I am frequently asked before a lawsuit commences is “How long will this take?” This is a difficult question to answer because there are so many variables. However, I usually try and give a simple timeline, which by no means is written in stone, and depends entirely on everything... read more
- Always Put it in Writing, But What to Do if you Don’t
- by Matthew J. Sheahin
As a litigator, I always advise clients to put contracts in writing with their vendors, customers, contractors, subcontractors, partners, and suppliers. A written contract helps define the duties and responsibilities of the parties as well as payment terms and what can occur if a party breaches.... read more
- Oppression - Fight the Power!
- by Matthew J. Sheahin
There is a section of the Illinois Business Corporation Act (“BCA”) which addresses shareholder remedies, specifically Section 12.56. This section is utilized by attorneys and Court to address situations wherein a minority shareholder, or a group of minority shareholders, suffers damages... read more
- The Bad Confession
- by Matthew J. Sheahin
In today’s economy, many business owners find themselves faced with the prospect of a Promissory Note coming due, often with a large balloon payment staring them in the face. Frequently, for example, an LLC or corporation that owns real estate and has multiple shareholders, thinks it probably... read more
Our Litigation Practitioners
- Matthew J. Sheahin
- Partner
- Lance Ziebell
- Associate
- Kristina Buchthal Regal
- Associate
- Heather Guilette Walser
- Associate
- Amil Alkass
- Associate