Attorneys
Steve concentrates his practice in complex commercial litigation, labor/employment issues, professional liability matters, construction litigation, probate matters, fraud investigation and litigation, and election law. Steve has represented individuals, not-for-profit and for-profit organizations and government entities in state and federal trial and appellate courts. He has represented clients’ interests throughout the litigation process, from the initial pleading through motion practice, written discovery, depositions, trial, and appeal. In his 25-year career, he has tried over 100 bench and 30 jury trials to verdict.
Although Steve’s experience has focused on litigation, he has advised and counseled individuals, small businesses, governmental entities and not-for-profit organizations on reaching practical and creative solutions to problems and disputes without resorting to litigation, including the use of alternative dispute resolution methods. Steve has also represented clients in numerous mediations and arbitrations, successfully resolving disputes without a costly bench or jury trial.
Over his career, Steve has also developed a niche in handling a wide range of family disputes. Steve has assisted clients in obtaining accurate financial information and protecting their rights in the family business, finding and recovering missing assets, and removing and holding family members accountable for their self-dealing and theft of funds while serving in a position of trust and confidence.
Prior to forming Laduzinsky and Associates, Steve was a named partner in a boutique commercial litigation firm in Chicago and was a partner in two larger Chicago-based firms. In addition to handling litigation in Illinois’ courts, Steve has handled litigation in various federal and state courts throughout the country, as well. Steve also serves as of counsel to Kaplan Papadakis &Gournis P.C.In his spare time, Steve is active in numerous charitable and religious organizations.
- Krislov v. Cook County Electoral Board, et al.
Case No. 1:20-CV-0469 – Appellate Court of Illinois, First DistrictRepresented objectors in action to strike candidate’s name from the ballot for failure to meet signature requirements. Successfully argued to uphold Board of Election and lower court decision to strike candidate’s name in expedited appeal process.
- Lomanto, et al. v. Lomanto, et al.
Case No. 09 CH 36259 – Circuit Court of Cook County, IllinoisRepresented shareholder both individually and on behalf of the corporation, a family-owned hardware franchise, in an action against a corporate director for fraud, misappropriation, and various other breaches of fiduciary duty.
- Shoumaker v. Unicore Insurance Services, Inc., et al.
Case No. CV2004-013473 – Superior Court of Maricopa County, ArizonaRepresented health insurance brokerage firm in shareholder dispute over the enforceability of a shareholder agreement in connection with the purchase and sale of significant company assets.
- In re: Wireless Telephone Radio Frequency Emissions Products Liability Litigation
Case No. 01 MD 1421 – U.S. District Court for the District of MarylandServed as National Coordinating Counsel and lead counsel to the Cellular Telecommunication and Internet Association, a trade association for cellular telephone manufacturers and service providers, in the defense of nationwide multi-district litigation involving brain cancer and damage claims and class actions seeking injunctive relief requiring additional safety disclosures and protective gear.
- The John Marshall Law School, J.D. (1986)
- DePaul University, B.A. (1983)
Education
- Illinois
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois – General Bar
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois – Trial Bar
- United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois
- United States District Court for the District of Columbia
- United States District Court for the District of Maryland
- United States District Court for the District of Colorado
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
Admissions