Several important changes to the Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act took effect on October 1, 2009. For highlights and a full copy of the new statute, please see the Illinois Attorney General's website


CARMEN'S NEW FIRM:
READ MY CLIENT NOTICE FOR JANUARY 2010

Chicago Trial & Appellate Lawyer Carmen Caruso engages in complex litigation and arbitration, relishes the opportunity to take his opponents to trial, and has won decisive, cutting edge legal victories and obtained multi-million dollar recoveries for plaintiffs and savings for defendants.

In practice since 1983, Carmen has been privileged to represent clients in all industries in Illinois and nationally including Fortune 100 companies, industry leaders, exciting start-ups, vital trade associations and some very talented individuals -- and in each case, Carmen prides himself on being his clients' most trusted advisor and dedicated advocate.

Carmen frequently litigates against much larger law firms, receives many cases as referrals from other attorneys, and has substantial experience in cases involving other’s lawyers’ actual or alleged misconduct -- and has earned substantial peer recognition from other lawyers and professional associations.   Carmen "gives back" as a frequent pro bono speaker on important legal topics and by being active on issues that affect our communities.

NATIONAL ADVOCATE FOR FRANCHISEES & DEALERS

Carmen has built his reputation as one of America’s leading  advocates for franchisees & dealers in more than 100 systems and has litigated virtually every type of franchise & dealer case imaginable.  

Carmen proudly represents national brand independent franchisee associations as well as individual and multi-unit franchisees, dealers, distributors, and area developers.   He has served as trial counsel and outside general counsel to an international retailing franchisor and defended America’s largest franchisor in numerous complex cases.  With more than 25 years experience on both sides of the aisle, Carmen has much more depth of experience than most other lawyers who only represent one side of the other -- but make no mistake, Carmen is firmly on the side of Fair Franchising in every case.

SUCCESSFUL TRIAL & APPELLATE LAWYER

Carmen’s broad litigation experience, for both plaintiffs and defendants, includes: 

·         Contract Litigation (including Good Faith & Fair Dealing) 
·         Fraud/RICO Litigation
·         Breaches of Fiduciary Duty
·         Business Torts (Interference, Unfair Competition, Price Discrimination)
·         Trade Secret & Intellectual Property Litigation
·         Non-Compete Clauses & Restraint of Trade Litigation
·         Disputes involving Shareholders, Partners, and LLC Members
·         Officer & Director Liability
·         Business Valuation and Sale of Business Disputes
·         Constitutional & Civil Rights Litigation
·         Legal Malpractice & Other Professional Liability Cases
·         Libel, Slander & Defamation Cases
·         Employment Contracts, Sexual Harassment, Glass Ceiling and Discrimination
·         Banking and Lender Liability Cases
·         Petroleum Marketing Practices Act (PMPA) and other Statutory claims 
·         Class Actions, Associational Standing and other Multi-Party Cases
·         Arbitration & Mediation, and International Arbitration
·         Complex Damages and Lost Profit Claims
·         Injunctions and Temporary Restraining Orders

A TREMENDOUS HONOR & PRIVILEGE

Lawyering is a profession and our job as lawyers is to make things right.   Legal fees, therefore, should be fair, and fee agreements should be structured to ensure that the client's case can successfully reach the finish line.

Please read our Disclaimer regarding this Web Site -- and please do not hesitate to call us at 312-606-8640 for a confidential consultation.