Law Practice Management

Well-known law firm sues prominent clients over alleged unpaid bill of nearly $6.4M

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A well-known Chicago-based law firm filed suit last week against members of a prominent family and their corporate entities, contending that they racked up an unpaid legal bill of nearly $6.4 million in a real estate matter.

Ungaretti & Harris says former Republican gubernatorial candidate Ronald Gidwitz and other members of his family are personally liable for the law firm’s billing in an eminent domain dispute with the city of Joliet over a low-income housing project there, Crain’s Chicago Business (sub. req.) reports.

The Cook County Circuit Court breach-of-contract and unjust enrichment suit (PDF) seeks an accounting and payment of the firm’s legal bill.

Gidwitz characterized the suit as “a commercial dispute,” but declined to comment further. The family’s attorney, Ted Tetzlaff, a former partner of Ungaretti & Harris, did not immediately respond to Crain’s request for comment.

Joe Power, known for his work on major personal injury cases, is representing Ungaretti & Harris.

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