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Tel: 312.836.4122
Fax: 312.527.4011
jkennedy@shefskylaw.com
Practice Areas Litigation
Real Estate
Construction Industry
Employment Law
Private Client Group
Green
| John
F. Kennedy Shareholder
John F. Kennedy is a trial lawyer. He concentrates his practice in litigation involving commercial disputes, corporate and partnership disputes, fiduciary duties, land use, government authority, construction litigation, real estate litigation, and employment law, including restrictive covenants and trade secrets. John’s practice also focuses on special remedies such as emergency and permanent injunctive relief.
John is co-chairperson of the firm's approximately 30 attorney litigation department. As co-chair, John is responsible for the management and administration of the litigation department and is dedicated to fulfilling the department's mission to develop the best trial lawyers.
John is a member of the Federal Trial Bar, has first-chair trial experience, and has tried numerous cases to judgment. He has also successfully prosecuted and defended class-action suits including commercial disputes, fair trade practices, and civil rights claims.
John's litigation experience also includes prosecuting and defending appeals in both state and federal appellate court.
EDUCATIONJD, 1987, DePaul University College of Law, with honors BA, 1980, Niles College of Loyola University of Chicago, with honors
BAR ADMISSIONSUnited States Supreme Court United States Circuit Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit U.S. District Court for the Northern, Central, and Southern Districts of Illinois Illinois State Supreme Court, Appellate Courts, and Circuit Courts
PROFESSIONAL AND CIVIC AFFILIATIONSAmerican Bar Association
- Section of Litigation
- Member, 2009 ABA Annual Meeting Host Committee
Illinois Bar Association
Chicago Bar Association
International Association of Defense Counsel Trial Academy (alumnus)
The Association of Trial Lawyers of America
Adjunct Professor (Accelerated Trial Advocacy for Intellectual Property, including misappropriation of trade secrets, trademarks and patents), John Marshall Law School, 1997 to present
Instructor, Illinois Professional Responsibility Institute, 2000 to present
John has been awarded an AV® Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, its highest rating for ethical standards and legal ability. He is also a member of the Leading Lawyers Network, which consists of the top 5% of Illinois Lawyers, as selected by his peers.
RECENT REPRESENTATIONS
Successfully obtained a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction, both of which were affirmed on appeal, to prevent the premature closing of a coal mine on behalf of the coal mining client.
Successfully represented the insured in obtaining partial summary judgment that the pollution exclusion contained in the excess insurer’s policy was ambiguous and, therefore, did not exclude coverage for the insured.
Successfully represented family-owned real estate development company in remediating design and construction defects in a multi-million dollar mixed use, Class A property.
Successfully defended a small closely held company accused by a multinational conglomerate of misappropriating alleged trade secrets. At trial, the conglomerate unsuccessfully sought to shut down the client's business operations.
Successfully prosecuted to judgment a claim against a 50% shareholder of a close corporation alleged to have breached numerous fiduciary duties to the corporation and fellow shareholders.
Successfully defended designers accused of breaches of fiduciary duties and unfair competition by a former employer.
Successfully tried to judgment a contract claim against the State of Indiana for an amount in excess of $3 million.
Successfully challenged to judgment the constitutionality of the City of Chicago’s liquid waste tax, which had imposed an annual financial burden in excess of $500,000 on the client, a publicly traded company. Thereafter, John worked with the City of Chicago and his client to draft and enact a new liquid waste ordinance that was not confiscatory.
Successfully enjoined certain members of an art museum from assuming control of the museum and transferring its assets and artwork out of state. By virtue of a multi-party mediated settlement approved by the Court, the museum reconstituted its Board of Directors and its art will remain in Illinois well into the 21st Century.
Successfully defended an employer corporation against multiple suits involving restrictive covenants.
Successfully prosecuted a claim of cyber-squatting, resulting in the cyber-squatter removing the disputed Internet name.
Successfully prosecuted a claim by a real estate developer alleging substantial construction and design defects in a new-construction multistory condominium building.
Successfully defended a prominent bank involving flawed real estate surveys and development of real estate.
Successfully represented a large law enforcement agency in a suit alleging a violation of civil rights for an inmate’s health care.
Represents constitutional officers and law enforcement agencies relating to various civil right matters.
Provides advice and counsel to employers regarding the efficacy of restrictive covenants, including nondisclosure provisions, nonsolicitation provisions, and covenants not to compete.
Successfully defended and prosecuted employment cases including claims to enforce covenants not to compete, confidentiality agreements, and non-solicitation agreements.
SPEECHES AND PUBLICATIONS
“Employment Contracts Including Restrictive Covenants and Trade Secrets,” in Business Law Series Vol. III: Miscellaneous Operating Issues, 2005 Edition, Updated 2008 (IICLE, 2008) (with co-author Suzanne Sias).
“Restrictive Covenants, Trade Secret Misappropriation and Fiduciary Duties,” in Chancery and Special Remedies, 2004 Edition, Updated 2006 (IICLE, 2006) (with co-author Suzanne Sias).
Defending Against the Takings Claim: A Practical Guide for Municipalities, Stetson Law Review (2000).
The Rights and Remedies of Shareholders in Closely Held Corporations Under Illinois Law, Loyola University of Chicago Law Journal (1998).
IICLE Presentation Speaker on the IICLE course entitled, “Business Succession Planning for the Family Business.” (January 8, 2010)
Presentation on Conflicts of Law under the New Rules of Professional Conduct and Coordination with the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission. (October 2009)
Presentatation on “Responding to the Business Emergency: Special Remedies Including: Injunctions, Preliminary Injunctions, Temporary Restraining Orders and Permanent Injunctions under Illinois Law.” (October 1, 2009)
Frequent speaker at Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (IICLE) seminars, including "Employment Contract with Restrictive Covenants and Confidentiality" and “Business and Corporate Governance Issues Relating to Estate Planning for the Family or Closely Held Business.”
Upcoming Presentation: Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission, Presentation on Rules of Professional Conduct, including Conflicts of Law. (April 15, 2010)
Chicago Law Bulletin Litigation Skills Conference panelist for a presentation on the discovery of expert witnesses (2007).
ABA Business Torts Litigation Committee Regional Workshop panelist for “Successful Strategies When Pursuing Equitable Remedies or Extraordinary Writs in Chancery” (2006).
ARDC Professionalism Seminar: The Essentials of an Ethical Practice, presenter on "Conflicts of Interest: Identifying and Resolving Conflicts" (2010).
REPRESENTATIVE PUBLISHED OPINIONS
Pacific Employers’ Insurance Company v. Clean Harbors, Inc., 2010 WL438372 (February 4, 2010) (First Chair representing insured wherein the court awarded the insured partial summary judgment, ruling that the pollution exclusion in the excess insurance policy is ambiguous and, therefore, did not apply to exclude coverage for the benefit of the insured.)
Vermillion Coal Company v. Black Beauty Coal Company, 4009-0657 (Ill. App. 4th District, December 21, 2009) (First Chair Trial Counsel for Vermillion Coal Company, in which the court granted a temporary restraining order followed by a preliminary injunction to halt the premature shut-down of Vermillion’s coal mine. The appellate court affirmed the trial court’s injunction orders.)
Davis v. Carter, 452 F. 3d 686 (7th Cir. 2006).
Schrager v. North Community Bank, 328 Ill. App. 3d 696, 767 N.E.2d 376, 262 Ill. Dec. 916 (1st Dist., Jan 14, 2002)(NO. 1-99-3727).
Stroger v. Regional Transp. Authority, 324 Ill. App. 3d 970, 756 N.E.2d 328, 258 Ill. Dec. 346 (Ill. App. 1st Dist., Aug 24, 2001)(NO. 1-00-2545).
Lake County Riverboat L.P. ex rel. FRGP, L.P. v. Illinois Gaming Bd., 313 Ill. App. 3d 943, 730 N.E.2d 524, 246 Ill. Dec. 499 (Ill. App., 2d Dist., May 19, 2000)(NO. 2-99-1434).
Hapag-Lloyd (America), Inc. v. Home Ins. Co., 312 Ill. App. 3d 1087, 729 N.E.2d 36, 246 Ill. Dec. 36 (Ill. App. 1st Dist., Mar 31, 2000)(NO. 1-99-2445).
Abbasi ex rel. Abbasi v. Paraskevoulakos, 187 Ill.2d 386, 718 N.E.2d 181, 240 Ill. Dec. 700(Ill., Jul 01, 1999) (NO. 85835).
Liquid Recovery Systems, Inc. v. Henderson, 1996 CH 10995 (Circuit Court of Cook County, Chancery Division).
Land and Lakes Co. v. Henderson, 709 N.E.2d 1006 (1st Dist., 1995).
Illinois Republican Party v. State Bd. of Elections, 294 Ill. App. 3d 915, 691 N.E.2d 169, 229 Ill. Dec. 233 (Ill. App. 4th Dist., Feb 19, 1998)(NO. 4-97-0183, 4-97-0184).
Schons v. Monarch Ins. Co. of Ohio, 214 Ill. App. 3d 601, 574 N.E.2d 83, 158 Ill. Dec. 289 (Ill. App. 1st Dist., May 17, 1991)(NO. 1-90-2423).
Longview Aluminum, L.L.C. v. United Steel Workers of America, 213 F.Supp.2d 876, 170 L.R.R.M. (BNA) 3078 (N.D.Ill., Jul 31, 2002)(NO. 02 C 00481).
Ozinga Chicago Ready Mix Concrete, Inc. v. City of Chicago, 209 F.Supp.2d 917 (N.D. Ill., Jun 20, 2002) (NO. 96 C 6859).
Napleton v. General Motors Corp., 138 F.3d 1209 (7th Cir., Mar 18, 1998, NO. 96-3355), (cert. denied).
Harold Washington Party v. Cook County, Illinois Democratic Party, 984 F.2d 875, 24 Fed. R. Serv. 3d 1116 (7th Cir.(Ill.), Jan 29, 1993)(NO. 91-2712).
Central States, Southeast and Southwest Areas Pension Fund v. Express Freight Lines, Inc., 718 F.Supp. 716 (N.D. Ill., Jul 25, 1989)(NO. 89 C 0528).
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