Despres, Schwartz and Geoghegan, Ltd.

General Labor Law

Despres, Schwartz, & Geoghegan, Ltd. is best known for its strong labor law practice. The firm serves as primary counsel to two large Chicago-based unions, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and Teamsters Local 743, and has worked with many other unions over the years, including those representing security guards, taxi cab drivers, factory workers, and a host of workers in both the manufacturing and service sectors.

The lawyers of Despres, Schwartz, and Geoghegan, Ltd. have a vast array of experience in trying cases for individual union members before federal courts and at arbitration; negotiating collective bargaining agreements, ensuring fair working conditions; and helping unions get started or organize employees at new companies. The lawyers have also been involved in the battle for union democracy within several major unions, including the United Steel Workers and United Mineworkers, and came to represent Teamsters Local 743 after progressive leaders were elected over the course of two highly-contested elections.

If you are a union leader, union member, or are interested in organizing or joining a union, the attorneys of Despres, Schwartz, and Geoghegan can serve as valuable counsel. If you are interested in speaking with an attorney, please contact Thomas Geoghegan, Jorge Sanchez, or Michael Persoon.

Employment Litigation

The attorneys at Despres, Schwartz, & Geoghegan, Ltd. have tried numerous cases in the area of employment law, from wrongful termination cases to those alleging discrimination. The firm has won several class actions on behalf of workers under a variety of statutes, including the WARN Act (layoffs), the Family and Medical Leave Act, ERISA (pensions), and a variety of civil rights [link] statutes. Over the years, the firm's lawyers have tried numerous cases against employers in federal court, and secured several multimillion dollar settlements and verdicts on behalf of tens of thousands of employees.

If you have an employment law case—from unfair treatment by employers, to mass layoffs without notice to workers, to compensation, or to discrimination—the attorneys of Despres, Schwartz, & Geoghegan, Ltd. may be able to help. Because they believe it is unfair that working people cannot traditionally afford the high-quality legal services that firms like Despres, Schwartz, & Geoghegan, Ltd. perform, the attorneys are often willing to try cases on a contingency basis, or to have their hourly fees paid only out of money that is recovered on the client's behalf.

If you are interested in speaking with an attorney, please contact Thomas Geoghegan, Jorge Sanchez, or Michael Persoon.

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Civil Rights

Since the 1940s, the name Leon Despres has been synonymous with battle to strengthen civil rights in Chicago and the region.

This tradition continues today at Despres, Schwartz, & Geoghegan, Ltd., whose attorneys have tried a host of civil rights actions and are experienced litigators under Section 1983 and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. They have won numerous federal discrimination cases for both women and racial minorities, and have even handled several cases in the areas of voting rights and immigration. In their civil rights litigation, they have sued governmental bodies at every level—from the Illinois Department of Transportation to the Cook County Clerk's Office to the City of Aurora—as well as businesses who discriminate against employees because of their race or gender.

If you feel that you have a civil rights case on behalf of yourself, another individual, or a community or group of people, please contact Jorge Sanchez.

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Whistle Blower & Public Interest

As a firm known for its activism, Despres, Schwartz, & Geoghegan, Ltd. has conducted numerous public interest cases over the years. Apart from pro bono labor and civil rights work, the firm has also used innovative litigation strategies in cases challenge redistricting plans in Illinois and defending a nonprofit organization that criticized the Bush administration from a politically-based lawsuit. When there is a case that the government should bring but won’t, Despres, Schwartz, & Geoghegan, Ltd. often finds a way to get it done.

The lawyers of Despres, Schwartz, & Geoghegan, Ltd. have tried several cases under the False Claims Act and the Whistle Blower Reward and Protection Act in both state and federal courts. Current false claims and whistle blower cases include a large suit against student loan agencies for defrauding the federal government and another case against local hospitals to force them to perform more charity care. The firm is also involved in continuing litigation to improve the political representation of Latinos in Illinois' second largest city, and has helped map strategy for lawsuits to improve funding for public education in Illinois.

Despres, Schwartz and Geoghegan is always looking to bring whistle blower or public interest cases, and is usually willing to represent clients in a manner where the firm only collects legal fees from a settlement or judgment. If you have such a case, please contact Thomas Geoghegan, Jorge Sanchez, or Michael Persoon.

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Consumer Litigation

Despres, Schwartz, & Geoghegan, Ltd. has tried many sorts of civil actions over the years, including several cases against payday loan lenders.

The firm has wide experience trying various types of civil cases in federal and state court, and has litigated numerous class actions on behalf of both employees and consumers.

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Wills & Trusts

While Despres, Schwartz, & Geoghegan, Ltd. is primarily a litigation firm, it is also a community law firm that has long provided estate planning services to clients.

Experts recommend that individuals with even modest assets prepare final wills and testaments, while those with more substantial assets are also often encouraged to make use of trusts. These legal vehicles can provide tax benefits, protect assets for your loved ones, and generally ensure that your estate is used in a manner that reflects your wishes. The attorneys are Despres, Schwartz, and Geoghegan are available to speak with you about what sorts of preparations you are making for your estate, and draft a will or design a trust if you decide that one or both are needed. Fees for such services are always very reasonable.

If you are interested in discussing what sorts of preparations you might want to make and perhaps having some documents drafted, please contact Michael Persoon].

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Tax-Exempt Organizations

There are more and more non-profits every year, and Despres, Schwartz, & Geoghegan, Ltd. is ready to advise them at every step—from formation, to IRS compliance, to expansion into more sophisticated hybrid formations, and advising on lobbying and political activities.

Whether you are a 501(c)(3), a 501(c)(4), or a 527, Despres, Schwartz, & Geoghegan, Ltd. can help you get started and ensure that you comply with federal law. If you are interested in speaking with an attorney, please contact Michael Persoon.

What we've done...

Advocate settles lawsuit

Attorney Tom Geoghegan will announce today a preliminary settlement of a class-action suit he brought six years ago against Advocate Health Care that will result in free or reduced-price care for low-income patients at Advocate hospitals in Chicago.

"They were charging uninsured or under-insured people the full sticker price instead of the lower rates that people with insurance pay," Geoghegan said. For example, a birth that would have cost $1,800 for a Blue Cross patient would have cost $5,000 for an uninsured patient, Geoghegan said.

Under the settlement, someone living at twice the poverty line or less would be charged nothing, he said.

The suit was one of the earliest of a series of class-action suits filed against nonprofit hospitals around the country. It used the state's Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Practices Act to argue that a hospital that calls itself a charity for tax purposes has to act charitably.

Chicago Sun-Times, 1/28/09