Litigation

As you undoubtedly know by now, on January 1, 2020, Illinois became the 11th state to legalize the possession and use of adult-use cannabis. The new law, the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act, 410 ILCS 705, et seq., (the “CRTA”) – all 610 pages of it – establishes the framework of one of the most regulated industries today. More than…

Actions Taken by the District Court In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois originally extended all deadlines, whether set by the court or otherwise, by 21 days. On March 30, an amended general order extended these deadlines an additional 28 days. Civil case hearings, trials, and settlement conferences scheduled on…

4/8/2020 12:00pm CST Sean D. Auton, Aaron L. Hammer, Bill Katris and Matthew R. Barrett will discuss COVID-19 and its impact on Contract Rights and Insurance Claims. This webinar for the Chicagoland Chapter of the Young Presidents' Organization will address questions such as: Contract Rights under COVID-19 I can’t perform under my contract or leases - what remedies do I…

The economic uncertainty caused by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted businesses and commercial relationships worldwide.  As COVID-19 continues to spread, businesses may experience disruptions that make it difficult or impossible to fulfill their contractual obligations.  Under certain circumstances, those disruptions may justify non-performance.  One such escape hatch is a force majeure clause, which is a provision contained…

HMB litigators Hal J. Wood and Matthew R. Barrett secured a complete victory in a recent highly contested post-transaction dispute. The team obtained summary judgment in their clients’ favor on all counts, including an award of 100% of the clients’ attorneys’ fees, resulting in a total judgment of over $9,000,000 in favor of HMB’s clients. HMB’s clients were the sellers…

3/3/2020 HMB's Office 500 W Madison Suite 3700 Chicago, IL Rick will discuss, with other industry panelists, the following emerging topics in litigation finance: The best candidates for litigation finance Litigation funding in bankruptcy How a party secures financing How attorneys and claimholders can engage with funders The latest developments in litigation finance in 2020 This seminar is hosted at…

3/5/20 Miami, FL Rick Rein, with a panel of experts comprised of professionals both foreign and domestic, will discuss new developments in statutory and case-law that impacts US receivers as they deal with actions and assets abroad. The session will focus on important new developments in the field around the world including topics concerning Brexit, China and more. Other challenges…

One attorney from HMB's Litigation Group has been named as a 2020 Illinois Super Lawyer. Additionally, three attorneys were named to the 2020 Illinois Rising Stars list. Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding attorneys from over seventy practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The following HMB attorney was selected for…

Chicago, IL December 12, 2019 HMB Legal Counsel, a preeminent provider of legal services in Business and Finance, State and Local Tax, Trusts and Estates, Bankruptcy, Reorganization and Creditors' Rights, Real Estate and Litigation announced that three associate attorneys were elevated to partner. Grant R. Hendricks Grant is a member of the firm's Private Client, Trusts and Estates Group. He…

On 9/17/19 Aaron Hammer and Rick Rein presented "Hot Topics in Cross Border Restructurings" at the Offices of Gowling WLG LLOP in Toronto, Canada. Aaron and Rick discussed the role of chief restructuring officers and other turnaround professionals in Canadian restructuring, flash points in today's cross border insolvencies, and the cannabis space. This program was intended for lenders, turnaround professionals…

Illinois Appellate Court Holds Entities Must Be Represented By an Attorney At Administrative Hearings A recent decision by the Illinois Appellate Court held that corporations may not represent themselves at administrative hearings, but instead must be represented by an attorney. In Stone Street Partners, LLC v. The City of Chicago Department of Administrative Hearings, Case No. 12 M1 450026, Stone…

For many foreclosure sales, the typical sale process - selling the property at a court-ordered auction - is sufficient.  The result of most such sales is the bank "credit bidding" against its debt.  In certain cases, however, a traditional judicial auction may not be appropriate.  For example, the bank may not want to take title to the property or the…