Steven P. Rouse
Equity Member
Practice Areas:
Real Estate and Commercial Litigation: Real Estate: Representation of clients in mechanics liens, condemnation, construction and commercial foreclosure litigation matters. Representation of Landlords in commercial eviction and related real estate development litigation matters. Commercial Litigation: Partnership disputes, restrictive covenant l breach of contract, UCC and general commercial litigation. Representation of Creditors in Bankruptcy Court regarding secured and unsecured and preference claims.
Professional Memberships and Activities:
Chicago, Illinois and American Bar Associations.
List of Representative Appellate Litigation:
Grady v Bi-State Development Agency, 104 Ill Dec. 427,502 N.E. 2d 1087 (Ill. App. 5th Dist. 1986) Represented a municipal corporation. In a case of first impression, the appellate court held that the Bi-State Development Agency was a local public entity pursuant to the tort immunity act.
Adcock v Montgomery Elevator Company, 274 Ill. App. 3d 519, 654 N.E. 2d 631 ( Ill. App. 1st Dist 1995) Represented a manufacturer in a case of first impression, the appellate court held that an elevator was an ?improvement to real property? under the construction statute of repose.
Rovell v. American National Bank (In re Rovell) 194 F.3d 867, 872 (7th Cir. 1999) Successfully represented a financial institution in defending a claim that institution failed to properly stop payment on check.
Amtech v. City of Chicago, 04 L 6142; Appellate No. 05-3295. As successor counsel reversed the entry of summary judgment against a client on due process grounds based on the failure of the City to provide a hearing on its claims for extras in a breach of contract case.
Dismissed a breach of lease claim against the tenant-client at the trial level trial court ruling was overturned by the appellate court in a case of first impression holding that conduct can exercise an option in a lease agreement, Oliva v. Amtech Reliable Elevator I 162 Ill.App.3d 483 (1st Dist. 2006) After remand tried case and received a verdict for the tenant-client as well as fees and costs. Case is currently on appeal. Oliva v. Amtech Reliable Elevator II; . 06 L 13152; Appellate No. No. 1-08-2205.
Jadcore v Otis Elevator Company, Represented purchase of a corporation in asset sale and successfully obtained summary judgment on claims of successor liability and breach of contract, then obtained reimbursement of a quarter of a million dollars in client fees and costs in related fee litigation. Case is currently on appeal.
List of Representative Matters:
Acquisition and development of mixed-use properties in various municipalities in the Chicago area. Including, zoning variance(s), PUD?s and land use alterations.
Litigation involving breach of commercial leases, condemnation and mechanics lien cases concerning the representation of a multi-state property development/management company, and national grocery chain.
Representation of a multi-national startup company in the aviation industry, including negotiation and drafting of multi-jurisdictional partnership agreement and ownership agreements.
Successful dismissal of computer training client in a case involving alleged education malpractice.
Representation of a large multi-national commercial lender regarding commercial loans in excess of $3 million dollars.
Successful representation of various multinational corporations concerning mechanics lien litigation in Illinois and other states.
Representation of a commercial developers in concerning acquisition of commercial property.
Representation of commercial lenders in the foreclosure and liquidation of industrial property and personal property.
Successful dismissal of an Attorney General Investigation concerning alleged defrauding of students by an educational institution.
Successful dismissal of multiple EEOC claims against employers for wrongful termination and enforcement of restrictive covenants.
Representation of client in merger/buyout of 2 banks.
Purchase and sale of medical practices and property.
Representation of various financial institutions in mechanics lien, foreclosure, condemnation, and commercial collection matters.
Professional: Chicago Volunteer Legal Services Foundation Distinguished Service Award Winner for 2005, Member and Chairman of the Village of Oak Park Zoning Board of Appeals 1999-2009. Member of the Village of Oak Park Plan Commission 2009- Present. Board member of the Village Managers Association 2007-Present.
Telephone: (312) 917-1880
Direct Telephone: (312) 553-8634
Fax: (312) 917-1851
Email: spr@m2rlaw.com