Commercial Litigation Attorneys Chicago IL
Commercial Litigation Attorneys Chicago IL — when a deal goes sideways, speed and leverage decide outcomes. Our Chicago team builds practical, budget-conscious litigation strategies that protect operations, cash flow, and your negotiating position—whether you’re facing breaches of contract, partnership or shareholder disputes, intellectual property claims, employment disagreements, or real estate and lease conflicts. Ready to get control of the dispute?
Why Chicago businesses hire our commercial litigation attorneys
- Business-first strategy. We turn claims, counterclaims, venue and insurance coverage into a phased budget.
- Leverage over theater. We use targeted pleadings, protective orders, and early discovery to narrow issues and raise settlement value without overspending.
- Local court experience. We routinely file and defend cases in the Circuit Court of Cook County (Law and Chancery Divisions), other Illinois state courts, and the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, choosing venue to your advantage.
- Confidentiality minded. Trade-secret and non-compete cases demand speed; we pursue injunctions and protective orders that stop ongoing harm and control PR risk.
Types of Cases We Handle in Chicago & Illinois
Breach of Contract & Warranty Claims
We prosecute and defend claims involving supply failures, late or non-conforming goods, service level breaches, earn-outs, and purchase-price adjustments. Limitations periods matter: written contract claims in Illinois commonly fall under the 10 ‑year statute for written contracts (735 ILCS 5/13‑206), while claims on unwritten or oral contracts are typically five years (735 ILCS 5/13‑205). Choice-of-law, accrual, and written-instrument scope are fact-sensitive.
Business torts (fraud, tortious interference, conversion)
In Illinois, fraud, tortious interference, conversion and other business tort claims are generally subject to a five year statute of limitations under 735 ILCS 5/13 205, with discovery doctrine and a ten‑year repose affecting accrual. Pleading fraud with particularity and building a damages model early preserves leverage and avoids dismissal traps.
Member, Shareholder & Partnership Disputes
Deadlock, oppression, buy-sell enforcement, books-and-records, fiduciary-duty claims, diversion of corporate opportunities, valuation fights. We pair urgent relief (status quo orders, accounting, custodian/receiver when needed) with discovery that surfaces real leverage.
Non-compete, non-solicit & trade secret litigation
Illinois recognizes protectable interests like trade secrets, confidential information and customer relationships. Reasonable non compete and non solicit covenants are enforceable when they are no broader than necessary to protect these interests under Illinois law, including the Illinois Freedom to Work Act and common-law standards on duration, geography and scope. Remedies under the Illinois Trade Secrets Act (765 ILCS 1065) include injunctions to stop misappropriation and damages (potentially punitive and attorney’s fees).
Contact Experienced Lawyers Now
Why Chicago companies choose our commercial litigation attorneys
- Local court fluency. Regular practice in Cook County Circuit Court and the Northern District of Illinois means realistic timelines and fewer surprises.
- Results with discipline. High-value disputes handled with trial credibility, not theater.
- Phased budgets. Clear scopes, hard caps when needed, and updates as the record develops.
- Speed when it matters. Fast action on urgent relief to contain ongoing harm.
Schedule a Case Review
If you’re in a live dispute, you don’t need a war story—you need a plan. Send us the core documents and a two-sentence goal. We’ll map options, risk, and budget so you can decide quickly.
FAQ:Commercial Litigation Attorneys Chicago IL
What counts as “commercial litigation”?
Any business-to-business dispute (or claims against a business) involving contracts, ownership, trade secrets, non competes, or business torts. In Illinois, commercial litigation often covers breaches of contract, partnership and shareholder disputes, intellectual property and trade secret claims, employment disagreements, and real estate or lease conflicts. Illinois’s Trade Secrets Act governs misappropriation of confidential information.
Where will my case be filed?
Likely the Circuit Court of Cook County (Chancery or Law Division), other Illinois state courts, or federal court (U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois) depending on the parties, amount in controversy, and claims. Venue strategy affects schedule and leverage.
How long do I have to sue for breach of contract in Illinois?
Up to 10 years for written contracts and other written instruments (735 ILCS 5/13‑206); five years for oral contracts and other unwritten agreements (735 ILCS 5/13‑205); and four years for contracts for the sale of goods under Illinois’ Uniform Commercial Code (810 ILCS 5/2‑725). Facts matter—have counsel review accrual and which statute applies.
Are non-competes enforceable in Illinois?
Non compete agreements are enforceable in Illinois only if they are supported by valid consideration, protect a legitimate business interest (such as trade secrets or near‑permanent customer relationships), and are reasonable in duration, geography and scope. The Illinois Freedom to Work Act bars non competes for employees earning less than $75,000 (the threshold rises to $80,000 by 2027) and requires employers to give at least 14 days to review the agreement and advise workers to consult counsel (www.illinoislegalaid.org, cronelawfirmplc.com). Non‑solicitation covenants face similar rules with a $45,000 salary floor. Courts will strike down overbroad restrictions that do more than protect confidential information, trade secrets or customer goodwill.
How fast can we stop ongoing harm?
If facts support it, we move quickly for a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction in Illinois courts. Under Illinois law—including the Illinois Trade Secrets Act (765 ILCS 1065/4)—courts may grant emergency injunctive relief to prevent misappropriation of trade secrets or other ongoing harm. To obtain this relief we prepare affidavits, exhibits and narrowly tailored requests, and we must show a likelihood of success on the merits, irreparable harm, an inadequate remedy at law, and that the balance of hardships and public interest favor relief. Federal courts apply similar standards under Rule 65 and the Northern District of Illinois’ local rules.