Attorney Cathleen A. Bloedorn has re-joined Sanchez Daniels & Hoffman to lead our new Divorce and Family Law practice. Cathy is passionate about this new practice area and is committed to providing our clients important legal advice and services in an ongoing, and cost-manageable way.
Child Support
Ms. Bloedorn returned to Sanchez Daniels & Hoffman in 2021 and launched the firm’s family law practice. She concentrates her family law practice on parenting time disputes, the financial issues attendant to divorce such as maintenance, child support, and the division of the marital estate.
Child Custody and Visitation
Attorney Cathleen A. Bloedorn has re-joined SD&H to lead our new Divorce and Family Law practice. Cathy is passionate about this new practice area and is committed to providing our clients important legal advice and services in an ongoing, and cost-manageable way. Legal services include the following areas: Divorce Post-Divorce Modification Custody and Visitation
Paternity
Guardianship
Legal services are also provided in the areas of post-dissolution matters, parentage, wills and guardianships. Cathy is dedicated to keeping costs reasonable and bringing expedited closure for her clients. Cathy practices in Cook, DuPage, Lake, Will and Kane counties.
Our firm has a long history in representing defendants in product liability lawsuits pending in Chicago and across the Midwest. While we have tried many product liability cases, perhaps the singular achievement in this area of practice was our representation of a major automobile manufacturer in a personal injury and wrongful death case wherein a group of defendants settled with the plaintiffs for $100 Million but one defendant refused to participate in the settlement. The firm pursued this recalcitrant defendant in a contribution action and recovered 100% of the money paid by our client in settlement.
Sex Crimes
Representing clients who have claims that involve violence on the premises/parking areas and allegations of sexual assault that occurred on the property.
Fraud
Our Warranty/Consumer Litigation Practice includes consumer and warranty litigation defense involving automotive, truck and motorcycle manufacturers, foreign and domestic, and automotive dealers under federal fee shifting statutes such as the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, multi-state “lemon” law and Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Practices Act. We have extensive and successful experience in expanding and evolving this area of law, including positive changes in the legal standard applicable to these cases.
Robbery
American Country Ins. Co. -vs- Chicago Carriage Cab Corp., 2012 IL App (1st) 110761, 976 N.E.2d573 (Ill.App., 2012). Won affirmance of trial court decision. Court held insurer owed no duty to indemnify lessor of cab for jury verdict finding negligent entrustment where lessee-operator used cab to commit armed robbery and run over the victim trying to escape. Court found the injury did not arise out of the ownership, maintenance of use of an auto under commercial taxi policy. (John Piegore argued).
Assault
Murder
American Family Insurance Co. -vs- Michael Savickas,193 Ill.2d 378, 739 N.E.2d 445 (2000). Won reversal of appellate court decision. The Supreme Court overruled Thornton -vs- Paul, 74 Ill.2d 132 (1979) which prohibited use of criminal conviction to establish policy exclusion for injury expected or intended. Court held insured’s conviction of first degree murder established policy exclusion for bodily injury expected or intended by the insured. (John Piegore argued).
Contract Enforcement – We provide guidance to clients in the full range of real estate contract disputes, including purchase and sales agreements, bids and leases.
Limited Liability Companies
Ownership Entities – We assist individuals and entities involved in joint ventures, partnerships and limited liability companies, to quickly and effectively resolve conflicts arising from breaches of agreements and contracts, including providing assistance with exit strategies and dissolution of partnerships.
Construction Contracts
Coverage Considerations for Paratransit Operators, for Atlas Financial Holdings, August 23, 2012; Basics of a Reservation of Rights Letter II, for American Country Ins. Co., September 10, 2011; Basics of a Reservation of Rights Letter, for American Country Ins. Co., November 18, 2008; Structuring Insurance Language for Construction Contracts and Leases, for the Conference for Catholic Facility Management, Chicago, IL May 2, 2007;
Claims and lawsuits that arise out of the employer/employee relationship are frequently unanticipated and always unwanted. Sanchez Daniels & Hoffman’s Employment Law attorneys are committed to defending our public and private clients and assisting them to develop the best approach to resolve these matters. Even before a claim arises or a lawsuit is filed, our attorneys routinely advise and consult with employers in all areas of employment law including disciplinary matters, leave of absence issues, termination and discharge matters, layoffs/reductions in force, immigration, and employee benefits matters. We are also well experienced in defending workplace claims involving sexual harassment, discrimination, wrongful termination, retaliatory discharge, breach of contract, employee privacy violations, restrictive covenants, non-compete and non-solicitation agreement violations.
Employment Discrimination
Won summary judgment in various discrimination cases including age discrimination, family medical leave/retaliation, and section 1983 civil rights.
Employment Litigation
Whether it be a full-out litigation defense, or settlement strategy, we provide practical legal advice and proactive strategies to ensure compliance and manage litigation risks. Our attorneys are skilled negotiators with strong trial backgrounds who have handled employment cases before all types of administrative agencies and all levels of state and federal courts. We are also well experienced in conducting contractual arbitration of employment disputes. We work closely with our client’s in-house legal counsel, executives, managers, and human resources professionals to defend claims under state and federal statutes, including...
Sexual Harassment
In her employment practice, Ms. Erickson has counseled clients, including St. Augustine College, School Districts and U-Haul, regarding employment decisions, the investigation of employment claims and concerning state and federal laws pertaining to employment issues, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Illinois Human Rights Act, the Family Medical Leave Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Illinois Unemployment Insurance Act. She has represented employers at mediations and conciliations at the EEOC. She has vigorously represented employers in matters involving discrimination and harassment based on race, age, and gender, sexual harassment, retaliation and employee benefits. She has appeared and participated in all aspects of proceedings before the IDHR, the Human Rights Commission, the EEOC, the IDES, and the State and Federal Courts. She has further represented employers before the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission.
Sanchez Daniels & Hoffman is a full service civil practice law firm with the top AV Martindale-Hubbell rating. The firm is actively involved in the preparation, trial and appeal, if necessary, of civil cases of all kinds including personal injury, property damage, coverage disputes and other litigation. The firm specializes in the fields of product liability, construction, asbestos, warranty, and civil rights litigation. A major portion of our practice is devoted to transportation issues, toxic torts, alleged “bad faith” insurance claims, insurance coverage, excess and reinsurance matters, homeowner’s liability, and fire and explosion claims. Additionally, the firm handles contractual, commercial and real estate litigation as well as injunctive and/or equity relief, and appellate litigation. Sanchez Daniels & Hoffman also has extensive expertise in the fields of environmental and employment law.
Premises Liability
The Premises Liability Litigation Practice at Sanchez Daniels & Hoffman encompasses representation of owners and managers of property who are legally responsible for the safety of the people who visit, live or work on those premises. Premises liability (commonly referred to as “slip and fall”) cases arise from the liability that a landowner has for certain torts that occur on that property. These actions range from injuries caused by a variety of hazardous conditions; including open excavations on any pavements, standing water, wet floors, un-cleared snow, icy sidewalks, falling objects, claims of inadequate security, insufficient lighting and defects in furniture or other objects on the property.
Construction Litigation
Sanchez Daniels & Hoffman has a wide range of experience in defending individuals and companies who are sued in construction matters. No matter the type of construction litigation you may have, our willingness to take difficult cases to trial, and our reputation for winning them, places our clients in the best possible position with opposing parties in settlement negotiations or trial.
Real Estate Transactions
Sanchez Daniels & Hoffman’s EH&S practice encompasses toxic tort, regulatory compliance, litigation, health and safety matters, and land use. We help our clients navigate the ever-expanding web of environmental, health and safety requirements at federal, state, and local levels. We are mindful of our clients’ strategic objectives and budgetary constraints, and we strive to reach practical solutions without allowing theoretical possibilities predominate. Our experience includes litigation in federal and state courts and before administrative agencies, agency negotiation of permits and consent decrees, and successful resolution of difficult environmental problems in corporate and real estate transactions.
Easement
Land Use and Zoning
Mayor Lori Lightfoot appointed Brian H. Sanchez to the City of Chicago Zoning Board of Appeals. The Zoning Board of Appeals reviews land use issues that pertain to the Chicago Zoning Ordinance, including proposed variations from the zoning code, special uses that require review to determine compatibility with adjacent properties, and appeals of decisions made … Continue reading
Property Damage
No matter the type of transportation litigation you have, Rail, Truck or Auto, our willingness to take difficult cases to trial, and our reputation for winning them, places our clients in the best possible position with opposing parties in settlement negotiations or trial. We will handle your Cargo and Freight claims, Property Damage and Bailment issues and Product Liability cases. Our Transportation Practice Group attorneys are seasoned litigators and will vigorously defend you and your company.
He is involved in the defense of over 40 lawsuits pending in 10 states. Mark is also currently designated litigation counsel for lawsuits involving the Archdiocese of Chicago. Mr. Vilimek has formerly held the positions of designated litigation counsel for Graycor Industrial Constructors, Inc. a/k/a Graycor Construction Co. for all construction related personal injury and product defect litigation pending in the State of Illinois – 20 years; designated litigation counsel for the Brunswick Corporation for all bodily injury cases pending in the State of Illinois – 12 years; designated litigation counsel for ClaimsCo International for all bodily injury cases pending in the State of Illinois – 20 years; and designated litigation counsel for trucking related accidents for cases filed in the State of Illinois for Intercargo Insurance Co. – 10 years.
Medical Malpractice
Over the years, his practice has involved mostly the defense of civil lawsuits, especially personal injury suits. He has defended product liability, premises, employment, common carrier, toxic tort, medical malpractice, professional negligence, automobile, construction, and Dram Shop cases. He also has handled cases dealing with civil rights, alleged police brutality, ADA/disability, human rights, commercial litigation, fraud, defamation/slander lawsuits, Declaratory Judgment Actions, TCPA (Telephone Consumer Protection Act) and FCRA (Fair Credit Reporting Act) and appeals. He has also developed a concentration in executive compensation.
As a leading team of Chicago real estate lawyers, Sanchez Daniels & Hoffman offers extensive legal insight for businesses looking for litigation assistance with their company’s real estate and property needs. Our experience is both lengthy and broad; from simple contract negotiations to complicated disputes, claims and mediations, Sanchez Daniels & Hoffman has the skills and qualifications your business needs to obtain settlement results in whichever litigation forum your case requires.
Foreclosures – We represent lenders—including banks, savings and loans, and other creditors—and owners in disputes related to real estate assets.
Tax Law
Larry Jurgens has over 30 years of experience in the area of property tax law. He has represented matters before Assessors, Boards of Review and/or Circuit Court in most Illinois counties. He also practices extensively before the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board. Representative cases range from Carson Pirie Scott & Company, Braidwood Nuclear Power Station, and Lee County wind farms, to small industrial buildings.