Timothy H. Okal

Civil Litigation in both State and Federal Court, Commercial and Contract Litigation, Professional Liability and Insurance Litigation, Construction and Mechanics Lien Litigation, Real Estate Litigation, Estate and Trust Litigation, Labor Law, Corporate and LLC formation and oversight, Trademark and Copyright Registration, Administrative Law; Appellate Practice; Criminal Law.

In the course of his practice over the past 40 years, Tim has been involved in representing the interests of individuals and their families as well as the interests of small, medium and large business enterprises whose assets range in excess of 100 million dollars.

Tim’s experience in the area of commercial law includes the formation of corporations and limited liability companies, along with counseling and representation of individuals, franchisees, partnerships, corporations and limited liability companies inside the boardroom on issues relating to corporate formation and day-to-day operational requirements as well as inside the courtroom relating to the prosecution and defense of a variety of business related interests including employment contracts, trade secrets, and misappropriation of assets and dissolution. Tim’s commercial litigation experience includes construction and mechanics lien actions, contract and debt collection actions, defamation actions, shareholder derivative actions and injunctive relief relating to deceptive business practices and shareholder rights, as well as issues concerning insurance claims and coverage.

As to the protection of individuals and families, Tim has successfully represented individuals suffering a personal injury as well as loss resulting from the professional negligence of their attorney, physician and insurance broker. He also has significant experience in the litigation of disputes regarding the administration of trusts and estates as well as the prosecution and defense of will contests.

Tim’s professional experience also includes the application of complex principles of mechanical and biomechanical engineering to risk analysis, design defects and the development of technically feasible alternative designs in connection with product liability litigation he has engaged in against the Ford Motor Company, the General Motors Corporation, BMW, Rockwell International and others.

In the course of his career, Tim has practiced before the Circuit Courts in Cook County, DuPage County, Lake County, Will County, Kane County, Grundy County and Ogle County as well as before the First District Illinois Appellate Court, the Second District Illinois Appellate Court, the Illinois Supreme Court, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, the U.S Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.

Tim has also engaged in representing individuals and businesses in administrative proceedings before the U.S. Trademark, Trial and Appeals Board, the National Association of Securities Dealers, the Illinois Securities Department, the Illinois Liquor Control Commission, the Illinois Civil Service Commission, the Illinois Human Rights Commission, the Local Liquor Commission for the City of Chicago, the License Appeal Commission for the City of Chicago and various local municipal agencies and zoning boards.

Personal Background
Tim has been married to his wife, Nancy, for over 30 years and they have two grown sons. Since competing as a state qualifying wrestler at Wheaton Central High School, Tim has continued to pursue athletics through his study of a variety of martial arts, running in the Chicago and Boston Marathons, competing in several Chicago Triathlons as well as becoming certified as a Russian Kettlebell Instructor and holding a NAUI Certification for scuba diving.

Education

  • John Marshall Law School 1976 with Distinction
  • Loyola University, BA Political Science 1973

Admissions & Distinctions

  • Illinois 1976
  • Member of the Trial Bar United Stated District Court for the Northern District of Illinois 1976
  • Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals 2005
  • U.S. Supreme Court 2005

Memberships

  • American Bar Association
  • American Association for Justice (formerly the Association of Trial Lawyers of America)
  • Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
  • Illinois Bar Association
  • Chicago Bar Association
  • Advocates Society
  • Diplomate / Court Practice Institute residency program in the Science of Trial Advocacy, April 1978
  • Nominated and selected to the National Registry of Who’s Who in 2000

Reported Cases

  • Cansoneri v. Village of Franklin Park, 161 Ill.App.3d 33 (1st Dist. 1987)
  • Arnold v. Village of Chicago Ridge, 181 Ill.App.3d 778 (1st Dist. 1989)
  • In Re Estate of Roeseler, 287 Ill.App.3d 1003 (1st Dist. 1997)
  • Van Meter v. Darien Park District 297 Ill.2d 273 (2003)

Highly skilled & knowledgeable lawyers who work hard for you.