Lynne R. Ostfeld, P.C.
300 N. State St., Suite 5404
Chicago, Illinois 60654 U.S.A.
tel: (1) (312) 645-1066
fax: (1) (312) 645-1515
By Appointment Only
12921 N. Evans Mill Rd.
Dunlap, IL 61525
e-mail: ostfeld@ostfeldlaw.com
www.ostfeldlaw.com
Of Counsel:
DMALEX Avocats, Paris, France
ADMITTED
- Supreme Court of Illinois, l985
- United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois, l985
- United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois, Trial Bar, l988
- United States Court of International Trade, 1992
- Supreme Court of the United States, 2003
- United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, 2018
HONORS
- Knight of the French Order of Merit
- Leading Lawyer 2015 – Trust, Will & Estate Planning Law (Law Bulletin Publishing Co.)
- Illinois Super Lawyers 2005 – General Litigation (“Law & Politics” and “Chicago” Magazine)
- Illinois Super Lawyers 2006 – International Law (“Law & Politics” and “Chicago” Magazine)
ACCREDITED
- French Consulate (Chicago) (Legal Advisor: 1999-present)
AREAS OF CONCENTRATION
- Civil litigation in state and federal courts and before administrative tribunals on a broad range of issues: contract disputes; construction of wills and will disputes, claims to estate assets; creditors’ claims in bankruptcy court; liability for injuries; insurance coverage; mechanic’s liens; mortgage foreclosures; sexual harassment; racial discrimination; copyright violation; employment termination; local government law; school law; real estate disputes
- Business law and transactions: general legal assistance to small and medium companies; creation of companies and corporations; drafting of contracts, company by-laws, employment agreements; real estate closings; sales of business assets; agri-business
- Estate planning and probate: drafting of wills and trusts; probate of decedents’ estates; administration of trusts; court appointed Guardian ad Litem and attorney for minors and disabled persons to represent their interests in incompetency hearings and estate administration; litigation of will disputes; estate partitions; claims
OTHER LEGAL ACTIVITIES
- Adjunct Professor, International Agri-Business Law, The John Marshall Law School (2007 – 2015)
- Hearing Officer and contract attorney, Chicago Board of Election Commissioners (1998 – present); Cook County Officers Electoral Board (2014 – present) and Public Member per court selection for local governments in election disputes
- Arbitrator, Circuit Court of Cook County (1991 – 2003)
- Hearing Officer, Illinois Department of Human Services (1994 – 2005)
- Hearing Officer, Illinois State Board of Education (approx. 1991-1995)
- Trained Mediator
MEMBERSHIPS
- Chicago Bar Association – Former Chair, International & Foreign Law Committee, Customs & International Trade Law Committee, Agribusiness Law Committee
- Peoria Bar Association
- Illinois State Bar Association – International & Immigration Law Section (former chair); Food Law Section (former chair); Member, Agriculture Law Section
- American Bar Association, Member Editorial Board, Solo & Small Firm Division
- American Agricultural Law Association
- Nordic Law Club (Chicago)
- Union Internationale des Avocats – Secretary, International Sale of Goods Commission; member, Commissions on Contract Law and Ag & Food Law
EDUCATION
Legal
The John Marshall Law School, Chicago, Illinois: J.D. (June, l985, with Distinction)
University of San Diego Institute on International & Comparative Law, Paris, France (summer, l983)
Trial Technique Institute, Fred Lane, Dean (l986 to l987)
Honors
Order of John Marshall
Illinois Bar Foundation Research Fellow (1985)
Activities
Fred F. Herzog Moot Court Competition – Individual Winner (1984)
Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition (1985)
Graduate
University of Illinois (Urbana), M.A., Teaching of French (1972)
Undergraduate
University of Illinois (Urbana), B.A., French (1970)