- Criminal DefenseJohn comes to Rathje Woodward LLC with a wide range of litigation experience. John initially launched his legal career as a Deputy Attorney General for the Indiana Attorney General’s Office, where he oversaw white-collar investigations and public corruption cases. He later gained substantial trial experience as a major felony Deputy Prosecutor in the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was specifically a member of the “Strike Team,†which targeted “guns, drugs, and gangs†throughout the Indianapolis area. His background as a deputy prosecutor allows him to provide experienced criminal defense as part of his practice, which can provide added value to clients under investigation.
- DUI/DWI
- FraudRepresented a health benefit association in a consumer fraud/unfair business practices action brought by the Attorney General of the State of Illinois. Mediated a resolution to the satisfaction of all parties.
- Theft
- Money LaunderingEmily represented an indigent defendant in a criminal appeal. Emily drafted the briefs and gave the oral argument that resulted in reversal of the client’s money laundering convictions.
- Corporate LawJohn returned to civil litigation a few years ago, focusing his practice on corporate litigation and investigations. While John’s practice focuses on the defense of corporations, his experience and background lend themselves to the defense of individuals from claims or investigations against them. Not only has he brought successful actions on behalf of clients following investigations, he has defended clients from numerous plaintiffs and governmental agencies in various courts and arbitration forums across the nation.
- Mergers and AcquisitionsWe counsel businesses on legal issues such as organization, mergers and acquisitions, contracts, labor and employment matters and intellectual property protection.
- Business Formation
- Business DisputesRay primarily represents employers of all sizes in complex labor, employment and contract disputes but has maintained the respect of both Management and Labor. With his vast experience in labor and employment, Ray has easily transitioned into representing employers. For more information on Ray’s labor and employment practice, please visit his bio page at https://www.rathjewoodward.com/attorneys/raymond-sanguinetti/
- Business TransactionsTracy Kasson joined Rathje Woodward LLC in 1987 and became a member in 1991. Mr. Kasson’s practice concentrates in the areas of land use entitlements, commercial transactions, and commercial litigation. Mr. Kasson has represented over one hundred commercial and residential developers regarding their zoning entitlements and has negotiated annexation and/or re-zoning and development agreements for thousands of acres throughout northern Illinois. He successfully obtained easements from the DuPage County Forest Preserve to enable Will County to receive Lake Michigan water. He also negotiated the sale of property and required easements to extend the Chicago and Northwestern railroad to Elburn, Illinois.
- Trade Secrets
- Intellectual Property
- Unfair CompetitionTim represented Cronimet and two of its executives in a lawsuit alleging Cronimet had wrongfully hired the executives and misappropriated various trade secrets. Tim successfully argued that the executives’ employment agreements were void and secured dismissal of the competitor’s contract, unfair competition and tortious interference claims.Â
- Employment ContractEmily served as counsel for Cronimet and two of its executives in a lawsuit in which a competitor claimed Cronimet had wrongfully hired the executives and misappropriated various trade secrets. Emily successfully argued that the executive’s employment agreements were void, and secured dismissal of competitor’s contract, unfair competition and tortious interference claims.
- Employment LitigationRay joined Rathje Woodward in 2015 as a seasoned litigator. He has tried numerous cases to verdict in state and federal courts in Illinois and Indiana. Recognized by his peers as a leading lawyer in all aspects of labor and employment law, Ray spent the first 17 years of his career representing employees and organized labor in employment disputes throughout Northeast Illinois.
- Real Estate LitigationReal Estate Law: Associations & Condominiums. Although his commercial real estate, zoning, landlord/tenant, and general corporate practices have been his transactional focus, Scott’s careful attention to detail is shaped in large part by his extensive litigation experience, which helps insulate his documents and transactions from traps too many purely-transactional attorneys often miss. With Scott having litigated cases in fourteen different counties throughout Northern Illinois and having handled a broad range of clients in real estate, zoning, contract, litigation, and corporate matters, Scott’s mix of small and medium-sized businesses and non-profits in general, and homeowners and condo associations in particular, benefit from his integrated approach whereby he effectively leverages his real estate, corporate and finance, and commercial litigation experience to find the best resolutions for his clients.
- Premises LiabilityOver the last twenty years, Heather has represented clients in complex business and commercial disputes across the country. She has extensive trial and appellate experience, including nationwide and statewide class actions. Heather prides herself on understanding her clients’ businesses to ensure the best result for them both inside and outside of the courtroom. Her clients range from financial institutions, financial servicing companies, manufacturers, employers, real estate developers and trading companies to individual owners, partners and shareholders of companies. Throughout her career, Heather has handled disputes arising from fraud, breach of contract, consumer statutory and privacy violations (i.e., FDCPA, TCPA, BIPA, etc.), employment disputes, theft of trade secrets, trademark infringement, fraudulent conveyances, breaches of fiduciary duty, premises liability, and product liability. Heather has been recognized as a top litigator in Illinois. She has been named a
- Construction LitigationReese J. Peck joined Rathje Woodward LLC in 1984 and concentrates his practice in four main areas: Construction Litigation, Mechanic Lien Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Landlord/Tenant Litigation.
- Real Estate TransactionsHe represents several Illinois municipalities as village attorney on a wide range of matters such as land use litigation, economic redevelopment, corporate governance, employment law, real estate transactions, tax increment financing, and public utility law. Mr. Zemenak serves as village attorney for the Village of Westmont and the Village of Big Rock and serves as special counsel for zoning litigation for the Village of Oak Brook. He has previously represented the Village of Oakbrook Terrace.
- Eminent Domain
- Easement
- Land Use and ZoningRathje Woodward’s experienced attorneys and staff are ready to help you with all your real estate, land use and development needs.
- Estate PlanningCLE Presentation: “Pup-Nups and Pet Trusts, Planning for the Care of Your Animal Companions†– DuPage County Bar Association, Estate Planning & Probate Section, April 21, 2018.
- TrustsAmanda concentrates her practice in the areas of trusts and estates litigation, wealth preservation, trust administration, probate administration, and general litigation. Amanda is an experienced litigator, having represented clients through claims of contested estate and trust administration, contests to estate plans, elder abuse, and breaches of duty by fiduciaries. She is known for building and maintaining relationships with clients through trust and collaboration.
- Probate
- Bankruptcy
- ForeclosureAssociation of Condominium, Townhouse and Homeowners Associations –June 11, 2013 Oak Park, IL, Presentation: Collections and Foreclosures – Issues for Associations
- Debt Collection