Norman T. Finkel
Partner
Norm is not only an experienced commercial litigator, but also a legal and business advisor. He uses his business background and experience to anticipate issues and advise clients on business matters, and he helps devise solutions to a variety of legal and business problems and issues that may arise. Norm serves as general corporate counsel for companies, large and small, and also serves as trial and appellate counsel in federal and state courts throughout the United States. He serves as an arbitrator for the Circuit Court of Cook County, is an Adjunct Professor at Northwestern University School of Law and is active in a number of professional, where he teaches trial advocacy, charitable and civic organizations.
Norm has been selected by his own peers in a statewide evaluation as one of “Illinois’ Leading Lawyers” in Commercial Litigation and Closely and Privately Held Business Law, a distinction accorded to less than 5% of the state’s most respected and experienced practicing attorneys. He has also been featured as one of Illinois’ top attorneys in the area of business litigation in Chicago Lawyer Magazine and Illinois Super Lawyers Magazine.
AREA OF LEGAL CONCENTRATION
Norm practices in the area of business litigation and advises clients on business issues that may arise prior to litigation or after litigation has commenced. Norm litigates complex matters in both state and federal courts, with the defense of class action lawsuits as one focus, and has argued numerous cases in state and federal appellate courts throughout the United States. He also handles cases in arbitration, mediation and administrative proceedings and has defended federal, state and local governmental investigations on behalf of a broad spectrum of clients. Norm represents middle market companies and entrepreneurial individuals in a wide variety of industries, as well as family-owned businesses and closely held corporations, public companies, municipalities, partnerships, sole proprietorships, professionals, estates and trusts.
One particular industry that Norm has represented for many years is the health and fitness industry, where he has represented health and fitness clubs in class actions, contractual and employment matters and defending premises liability and personal injury cases.
Professional Memberships
Appellate Lawyers Association
Association of Trial Lawyers of America
Decalogue Society of Lawyers
Illinois Bar Association
Chicago Bar Association
He has served on the Decalogue Society of Lawyers’ Judicial Evaluation Committee, the Chicago Bar Association’s Judicial Evaluation Comittee, the Circuit Court and Alternative Dispute Resolution Committees and as a subcommittee chairman of its Commercial Litigation Committee.
Bar Admissions
Illinois Bar
United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
U.S. Supreme Court
Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals
First Circuit Court of Appeals
U.S. Tax Court
U.S. Court of Claims.
Admitted pro hac vice to handle cases in other state and federal courts throughout the country
Education
J.D., University of Illinois at Urbana
M.B.A., University of Illinois at Urbana (Highest Honors)
B.S. (Finance), University of Illinois at Urbana (Highest Honors)
