Michael Vlahakis PC

Add to Favorites

Be the first to review!

Add Hours

(312) 782-3130Call

Add Website

Map & DirectionsDirections77 W Washington St Ste 519Chicago, IL 60602 Write a ReviewWrite Review

More Info

Extra Phones

Phone: (312) 754-9493

AKA

Michael E Vlahakis Attorney at Law

Vlahakis Michael E Attorney At Law

Categories

Gallery

Add Photos

Be the first to add a photo!

Reviews

Hi there!
Be the first to review!

Click to Rate

Details

Phone: (312) 782-3130

Address: 77 W Washington St Ste 519, Chicago, IL 60602

Michael Vlahakis PC

Family Law

Divorce
Child Custody and Visitation
Mother Loses Child Custody and Visitation – Following a lengthy trial to determine the best interests of the children, a mother going through a divorce lost custody of her children to her husband and she was also denied any visitation with her minor children. We were retained after the trial to appeal the decision. We successfully appealed the trial court’s decision denying visitation by demonstrating that visitation would not endanger the children’s physical, mental, moral or emotional health, and the appellate court ordered the trial court to fashion appropriate visitation. In this matter, we also filed a petition for a writ of certiorari to the U.S. Supreme Court on the issue of whether a state court rule violates the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment where the rule precludes the court from exercising its discretion, in the interest of fundamental fairness, to allow an untimely appeal from a court order terminating a parent’s liberty interest to the care and custody of her children.
Adoption

Criminal Law

DUI/DWI
Architect Discloses DUI Convictions on License Renewal Application — The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) investigated an architect who disclosed two DUI convictions when applying to renew his architect’s license. The DUIs occurred shortly after the architect’s mother had passed away, and he was the primary caregiver for his ailing mother. We demonstrated to the IDFPR that the DUIs were isolated to this exceptionally difficult period in his life and this behavior was unlikely to recur, as the architect learned to properly cope with his grief through counseling. The architect had no other issues with alcohol abuse and his work was never affected. We convinced the IDFPR to issue the license unencumbered.
Wrongful Death
If you have lost a loved one due to the negligence or actions of others, contact Zimmerman Law Offices, P.C. of Chicago, Illinois about filing a wrongful death lawsuit. Pursuing a claim against those responsible for a tragic loss enables the grieving surviving family members to recover economic losses and emotional damages, and may prevent it from happening to someone else.
Traffic Violations
The City of Girard, Ohio issued automated speed enforcement citations to drivers for traveling in excess of 55 m.p.h. on Interstate 80 when the speed limit was actually 65 m.p.h. The “construction zone” speed limit was 55 m.p.h. while the highway was under construction. After the construction work ended, the speed limit resumed to the posted 65 m.p.h. speed limit, but the automated speed cameras continued to issue speeding tickets to motorists travelling in excess of 55 m.p.h. Zimmerman Law Offices filed a class action lawsuit against the City of Girard and the privately-operated company responsible for the installation and maintenance of the automated speed cameras to recover the money paid by motorists for the erroneously-issued speeding tickets.
Sex Crimes
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) sought to revoke a physician’s medical license because he was charged with criminal felony sexual assault. The jury found him not guilty in the criminal trial, but the IDFPR persisted with its disciplinary proceedings. Zimmerman Law Offices defended the physician in the license disciplinary matter after he was exonerated from the criminal charges.
Fraud
Don’t let a big company take advantage of you. The consumer protection firm of Zimmerman Law Offices, P.C. represents clients nationwide in a wide range of class action lawsuits involving defective products, consumer fraud and misrepresentation, misleading claims, billing fraud, insurance denials, and failure to honor warranties.
Burglary
Roofer’s License Denied due to Felony Convictions — The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) denied an application for a qualifying party roofing contractor license because the roofer had felony convictions for burglary and unauthorized use of trade. We explained that the burglary conviction occurred 18 years earlier when he was a teenager, and the second conviction was for selling music CDs at a flea market 12 years earlier. We reasoned that the roofer’s previous behavior was unlikely to repeat since the felonies occurred long ago when he was young, and we provided the IDFPR with letters of recommendation attesting to his good moral character from members of the community and customers of his family’s roofing business where he worked. The IDFPR reconsidered its decision and issued the license.
Theft
Misdemeanors
Denial of Real Estate Broker License Application Reversed by the Court on Appeal — Following a formal hearing, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) denied an application for licensure as a real estate broker on the basis that the applicant was not of good moral character due to his previous felony and misdemeanor convictions. We appealed the decision to the Circuit Court and argued that the IDFPR’s denial of the license application was erroneous because (1) the IDFPR erroneously allowed documents to be used at the formal hearing that contained hearsay statements of witnesses who were not subject to cross-examination, and (2) the denial of the application was unwarranted and overly harsh. We convinced the Court to reverse the denial of the license application and order the IDFPR to hold a new administrative proceeding. Thereafter, we successfully convinced the IDFPR to issue a real estate broker license to him.
Assault
Identity Theft
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, a large number of self-employed Arkansans and “gig economy” workers were suddenly unemployed, necessitating the creation of the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (“PUA”) program in Arkansas. The state hired Protech Solutions, Inc. to create a secure website through which unemployment benefit claimants could apply for PUA program assistance online. However, the personal and financial information of approximately 30,000 PUA claimants was exposed in a massive data breach that resulted in identity theft. Zimmerman Law Offices filed a class action lawsuit against Protech seeking compensation for the time these individuals will have to spend monitoring bank and credit card accounts, finding and remedying fraudulent charges, and repairing damage to their credit, as well as compensation for their identity theft and risk of future harm.
Homicide
Professional misconduct, overprescribing controlled substances, termination of clinical privileges, substandard care, exceeding patient boundaries, substance abuse, inadequate medical records, homicide, diverting controlled substances, importing unregulated prescriptions
Restraining Order
Doctor Sued in Unsuccessful Medical Practice Partnership – A medical practice began having financial difficulties, so one of the partners (Partner 1) took the practice’s medical equipment, furniture, telephones, supplies, inventory, and patients’ medical records and sued the other doctor (Partner 2) alleging that she was to blame for the practice’s demise. Representing Partner 2, we counter-sued Partner 1 seeking the immediate return of the stolen items, and rescission of the partnership agreement. We presented affidavits from patients stating that their medical conditions were deteriorating without ongoing treatment, and we argued that Partner 1’s actions threatened the health of the patients. The court agreed, and entered an emergency temporary restraining order (TRO) compelling Partner 1 to immediately return the stolen items. Thereafter, we were able to rescind the partnership, and Partner 2 continued to operate the medical practice by herself.
Money Laundering
Podiatrist’s Licenses Restored Following an Appeal to the Court — A podiatrist’s podiatry and controlled substance licenses were suspended by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) due to his felony conviction for money laundering. After his release from prison, the podiatrist submitted a petition for restoration of his licenses. A formal hearing was held, and the IDFPR denied his petition and decided that his licenses should remain suspended indefinitely. We appealed the decision to the Circuit Court and argued that the denial of his petition for restoration was erroneous because (1) the evidence established that the podiatrist was sufficiently rehabilitated to warrant the public trust, (2) the IDFPR Medical Board was invalidly constituted, as the Board members did not reflect representation from the geographic areas in Illinois, and (3) the denial of the petition was unwarranted and overly harsh. During the pendency of the appeal, we convinced the IDFPR to grant his petition and restore his podiatry and controlled substance licenses to active status.

Business and Corporate Law

Corporate Law
Business Formation
Zimmerman Law Offices, P.C. provides experienced legal counsel to both start-up enterprises and established businesses. Respected contract attorney in the Chicago area, Tom Zimmerman’s experience has included everything from the representation of major corporations in complex transactions to the incorporation of a small company.Thomas A. Zimmerman is a seasoned litigator who has represented major corporations in commercial litigation, as well as settling disputes for small companies across the Greater Chicago area.
Business Disputes
Zimmerman Law Offices, P.C. has substantial experience representing companies and individuals accused of professional misconduct, personal injury and fraud, as well as commercial real estate and business law clients in lawsuit defense throughout Illinois and across the country.
Business Transactions
When it comes to protecting your business, you can’t trust it to just anyone. Hiring business transactions attorneys in Chicago is the best way to make sure everything related to your business is handled with the utmost care and competence. You put a lot of work into your business and need to make sure it is protected in the best way. Experienced business transactions lawyers understand the ins and outs of running a business from a legal standpoint and can help guide you through every step of the process.
Intellectual Property
Mr. Blake received his J.D., cum laude, from the Chicago-Kent College of Law in 2012. While attending, Mr. Blake served as Executive Articles Editor for the Chicago-Kent Law Review, spent a semester as a judicial extern for the Honorable Samuel Der-Yeghiayan of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, and participated in the Intellectual Property Law Clinic and the Center for Open Government.
Unfair Competition
Trade Magazine Publisher Sued for Infringement and Unfair Competition – A publisher of a trade magazine was sued for trademark infringement, unfair competition, and consumer fraud for publishing a magazine with a similar name as another magazine, and distributing the magazine at trade shows. We moved to dismiss the lawsuit for lack of jurisdiction over the publisher on the basis that the publisher was an out-of-state company with no employees or property in Illinois, its website was used for informational purposes only, and it only participated at a few trade shows in Illinois. The judge agreed that Illinois courts did not have personal jurisdiction over the publisher, and the lawsuit was dismissed.

Employment Law

Employment Contract
Severance Agreement

Property Law

Real Estate Litigation
Zimmerman Law Offices, P.C., represents plaintiffs and defendants in commercial transactions, commercial litigation, contract disputes and real estate litigation. Based in Chicago, Illinois, the firm serves clients in Cook County, DuPage County, Lake County and statewide with their business litigation issues.
Premises Liability
The owners of private property are responsible for your safety. Although uncommon, a slip-and-fall accident can cause serious injury. Tom Zimmerman has represented individuals who have slipped or fallen because of holes and defects in sidewalks, falls on buses or trains that stop suddenly, and accidents on wet or icy surfaces. Other premises liability cases include dram shop claims against bars for accidents caused by drunk patrons.
Real Estate Transactions
Real Estate Broker Files Lawsuit Over Disputed Earnest Money – After a real estate transaction was canceled, the buyer and seller both claimed that they were entitled to the full amount of earnest money being held in escrow by a real estate broker. We filed a lawsuit on behalf of the broker, and convinced the court that the broker should not have to make a determination as to the rights of the buyer and seller to the earnest money. The court allowed the broker to deposit the earnest money with the clerk of the court, dismissed the broker from the lawsuit (leaving the buyer and seller as the remaining parties in the case), precluded the buyer and seller from bringing any legal action against the broker arising out of the disputed earnest money, and awarded the broker its costs incurred in bringing the lawsuit.
Landlord-Tenant Disputes
Landlord Tries to Force Health Club Tenant Out of Business – A company purchased a high-rise building from a debtor in a bankruptcy proceeding, and the company sought to terminate all of the tenants’ leases as a condition of the sale under the Bankruptcy Code. After the sale, the bankruptcy judge did not allow the company to terminate the lease of a single tenant in the building, a health club, due to the company’s failure to provide the required notice to that tenant. Thereafter, the building owner sued the health club in the circuit court seeking a declaratory judgment that the owner had no duty to provide water, heat, elevators or other building services to the tenant. Representing the health club, we successfully persuaded the court to enter an injunction ordering the owner to continue to provide all necessary building services. The interplay between the Bankruptcy Code and landlord-tenant law was a novel legal issue that had not previously been decided by any court in the nation. We also counter-sued the building owner for its intentional misconduct, fraud and breach of the covenant of quiet enjoyment, as the owner was attempting to force the health club to go out of business without compensating the health club for the value of its leasehold. The tenant agreed to vacate the premises, after we convinced the building owner to essentially purchase the health club.
Property Damage
Company Sued for Failing to Pay its Manufacturer for Completed Products – A lighting company contracted with a company in China to manufacture light fixtures based on written specifications, wiring diagrams, and product specimens. The manufacturer made a sample product that conformed to all of the specifications. Thereafter, the manufacturer made 8,000 of the light fixtures, and shipped them directly to a retailer who sold all of them to its customers. But, these light fixtures did not conform to the specifications because the manner in which they were wired did not comply with Underwriter’s Laboratories (UL) wiring standards. The retailer paid the company for the light fixtures, but the company did not pay the manufacturer and the manufacturer sued the company for payment. Representing the company, we counter-sued the manufacturer on the basis that the manufacturer knew the light fixtures had to be UL-complaint and the wiring alteration created a fire hazard. We alleged that the manufacturer breached its contract and warranties under various provisions of the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG), and the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC). The manufacturer accepted one-third of the amount it was owed, and the company retained all of its profits plus two-thirds of the amount it owed to the manufacturer. The manufacturer also consented to personal jurisdiction in the United States and agreed to defend and indemnify the company in any future claims that might arise for personal injuries or property damage resulting from the nonconforming light fixtures, and to pay all costs if there was a recall of the light fixtures.

Health Law

Personal Injury
Mr. De Re has experience in all phases of litigation, including extensive discovery and substantive motion practice. He has assisted in the defense of individuals and companies in cases involving personal injury, employment, and civil rights. Mr. De Re has also vigorously pursued recovery for plaintiffs in numerous civil matters. Prior to joining Zimmerman Law Offices, he served as a Law Clerk for the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Medical Malpractice
The Zimmerman Law Offices, P.C. has a record of successful cases for victims of car accidents, defective products, medical malpractice and other civil litigation clients.
Auto Accidents

Trusts and Estates

Estate Planning
Probate

Finance Law

Bankruptcy
Debt Collection
Key federal statutes protecting consumer rights include the Federal Trade Commission Act, the Consumer Product Safety Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. These laws protect you in various situations—from billing errors and fraudulent charges, to breach of warranty, to defective products. Individual states also have consumer protection laws; many are similar to the federal laws, but may be more specific to certain industries.

View All Services

Provided by

Browse

Michael Vlahakis PC

More Info

Gallery

Reviews

Details

People Also Viewed

Michael Vlahakis PC