My law practice is focused on appeals and appeal-related matters, which includes preserving issues for appeal, assisting trial counsel in developing an overall legal theory and strategy in anticipation of an appeal, and briefing complex motions in the trial court.
Besides my practice, I have also created extensive educational resources for other practicing lawyers. My “second career” as an author began in 2008 and in the years since, I have written several legal treatises and practice guides covering diverse aspects of Illinois litigation practice from pre-trial through appeal. As of 2026, I am the author of over 30 books (four titles in 32 editions). Current works include Illinois Appellate Practice Guide, the comprehensive two-volume treatise covering civil appeals; Illinois Civil Litigation Guide; and Courtroom Handbook on Illinois Evidence, all published by Thomson Reuters West, the nation’s leading legal publisher. My articles on appellate and trial practice have been published in numerous law reviews and bar journals and have been cited favorably in opinions of several courts of review, including the supreme courts of Illinois, Tennessee, and Texas.
I created the popular and well-evaluated Civil Appeal Basics series of continuing legal education programs provided by the Illinois State Bar Association, which is certified for attorney MCLE credit by the Illinois Supreme Court.
As an adjunct professor at The John Marshall Law School (now University of Illinois Chicago School of Law), I taught both appellate advocacy and advanced persuasive writing, the most advanced writing course offered at the school.
BAR LEADERSHIP
Illinois State Bar Association
- Assembly – Elected from the 19th Judicial Circuit, 2010–2016
- Chair, General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Section Council, 2011–2012
- Chair, Special Committee for Solo and Small Firm Conference Planning, 2012–2013
- Founding Chair, Solo and Small Firm Practice Institute, 2014–2015
- Chair, Standing Committee on Continuing Legal Education, 2019–2021
RECOGNITIONS
- Illinois State Bar Association Board of Governors Award for “long-standing and exemplary contributions to the association and the legal profession,” 2015.
- Chicago Volunteer Legal Services Distinguished Service Award for successful appellate representation of low income clients, 2013.
- Illinois Super Lawyers, selected every year in the Appellate category for more than a decade, as listed in Super Lawyers Magazine and Chicago Magazine, a recognition accorded to less than 5% of lawyers in the state.
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent rating, the highest possible peer-review rating in legal ability and ethical standards.
- Litigation Counsel of America Senior Fellow Emeritus, an invitation-only honorary society composed of less than 0.5% of American lawyers who are selected based upon effectiveness and accomplishment in litigation and superior ethical reputation.
- Avvo, 10 out of 10 (Superb) rating from the popular attorney rating service.
PUBLICATIONS
Books
Illinois Appellate Practice Manual, 2026 Edition
Illinois Civil Litigation Guide, 2025-2026 Edition
Courtroom Handbook on Illinois Evidence, 2026 Edition
Law Review Articles
The Standard of Review Does Matter: Evidence of Judicial Self-Restraint in the Illinois Appellate Court, 34 S. Ill. U. L. J. 73 (Fall 2009)
Remedies for Oppression of Non-Controlling Shareholders in Illinois Closely-Held Corporations: An Idea Whose Time Has Gone, 33 Loy. U. Chi. L.J. 379 (2002 Illinois Judicial Symposium issue)
CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION PRESENTATIONS
(Illinois MCLE accredited)
Civil Appeal Basics: How to Preserve Issues in the Trial Court
Civil Appeal Basics: How to Handle an Appeal in the Illinois Appellate Court from Start to Finish
Civil Appeal Basics: The First 30 Days after Judgment
Civil Appeals Basics: A Step-by-Step Guide to Determine Appealability
Civil Appeal Basics: Appealing Orders That Do Not Resolve All Claims
Civil Appeal Basics: Appellate Briefing Fundamentals
Civil Appeal Basics: Attacking Judgments Other Than by Appeal
