AT WORK

Louis D. Bernstein represents prominent entrepreneurs and corporations throughout the United States. Lou represents clients in dozens of states before judges, juries, arbitration panels, administrative agencies and mediators. He also appears frequently before the U.S. Court of Appeals and the Illinois and New York appellate courts.

To more effectively counsel his clients and represent their interests, Lou has complemented his litigation skills with a growing expertise in the business, financial and real estate areas.

Lou’s practice is based on relationships and results. His attention to clients’ needs, successes on their behalf and practical business advice have led many of Chicago’s fastest-growing companies, as well the city’s most influential and affluent individuals, to seek his services.

Representative Matters

Defense of a Fortune 100 energy producer against allegations (by a competing Fortune 100 energy producer) of trade secret violations and hiring of key personnel. The matter was favorably settled on behalf of the defendant, with the employees and their customer list remaining in place.
Successful defense of a coal company in a series of arbitrations over several years, where a utility requested termination of a long-term contract valued at $300 million and damages of $50 million. The termination request was unanimously denied and minimal damages were assessed.
Numerous arbitrations and mediations, on behalf of a prominent family, in California, Arizona and Florida in connection with partnership, contract and employment issues, including the defeat of a $3 million commission claim after a lengthy arbitration hearing.
Representation of a real estate auction company in matters relating to its growing finance division.
Representation of a high-profile, Chicago-based real estate developer in its real estate and litigation matters.
Representation of a receiver (and the bank group that retained the receiver) in defending claims and selling assets at three landfill gas facilities in hotly contested litigation proceedings before the Illinois State Court, the Illinois Appellate Court, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court and the Illinois Commerce Commission.

Published Opinions

Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals

Chastain v. Freeman United Coal Mining Company, 919 F.2d 485 (7th Cir. 1990)
Freeman United Coal Mining Company v. Benefits Review Board, 879 F.2d 245 (7th Cir. 1989)
Freeman United Coal Mining Company v. Benefits Review Board, 942 F.2d 414 (7th Cir. 1991)
Freeman United Coal Mining Company v. Office of Workers’ Compensation Program, 999 F.2d 291 (7th Cir. 1993)
Poole v. Freeman United Coal Mining Company, 897 F.2d 888 (7th Cir. 1990)

Illinois Appellate Court

Elipas Enterprises, Inc. v. Silverstein, 243 Ill.App.3d 230, 612 N.E.2d 9 (1st Dist. 1993
In Re Riverwoods Park Dist., 247 Ill.App.3d 702, 617 N.E.2d 464 (2d Dist. 1993
Pronto Two, Ltd. v. Tishman Speyer Monroe Venture, 274 Ill.App.3d 624, 653 N.E.2d 1327 (1st Dist. 1995
Revolution Portfolio, LLC v. Beale, 332 Ill.App.3d 595, 774 N.E.2d 14 (1st Dist. 2002)

IN THE PROFESSION

A Certified Mediator and Arbitrator with the Center for Conflict Resolution, Lou is also a regular panelist and speaker at legal and business conferences around the country.

IN THE COMMUNITY

Lou is Chairman Emeritus of The Mankind Project—International and a member of The Executives’ Club of Chicago.

BACKGROUND

Hofstra University School of Law
J.D., 1983

Indiana University
B.A., magna cum laude, 1980

Lou is admitted to practice in Illinois and New York, and before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.

RELATED NEWS & PRESS RELEASES

Louis D. Bernstein Joins Much Shelist