The risks and pitfalls in business are innumerable.

Pitfalls, to name only a few, can include the risk of business or individual liability, property damage, loss of customers, litigation or eventual bankruptcy.

However, generally knowing what risks a business faces and how to handle the risk when it arrives can help you and your business survive and then prosper.

In addition to representation on transactional issues, sometimes clients need advice and representation in legal disputes. Mr. Cooke has represented clients in business and contract litigation including commercial lease disputes, insurance defense, construction litigation, mechanics liens, environmental disputes, public contracts and employment dispute resolution.

This representation includes case and liability evaluation, preparation of discovery, settlement negotiation, drafting and arguing pre-trial motions, trial and post-trial relief. Mr. Cooke also co-prepared the case of O'Hare Express, Inc. v. City of Chicago for trial and appeal and co-wrote the winning appellate brief. The Illinois Appellate Court ruled in favor of the Plaintiff in this public contracting bid dispute. The Court stated that the City of Chicago did not properly let the contract because the contract in question did not qualify for the professional services exception from the general requirement that public contracts be let for competitive bidding. O'Hare Express, Inc. v. City of Chicago, 235 Ill. App.3d 202, 601 N.E.2d 846 (1st Dist. 1992).

When Mr. Cooke began practicing law he worked for a law firm that handled insurance defense cases and while he stuck to his corporate moorings he learned about day-to-day liability issues. In July, 2001, Mr. Cooke settled an insurance liability and ERISA claim seeking over $300,000 from an insurance company client for under $25,000.

Mr. Cooke's litigation background and representation is not only crucial for achieving positive results, but it gives Mr. Cooke the necessary support for evaluating a business' potential liabilities and for evaluating and structuring transactional arrangements.

Please feel free to contact Mr. Cooke at (312) 497-9002 or by email at "gc@Cookeslaw.com".

Mr. Cooke's fee is $300.00 per hour.

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