Dennis F. Esford serves as Senior Counsel based in the Chicago office of Tressler LLP. He is a trial attorney practicing commercial litigation in both Illinois and federal courts with specific experience in e-Discovery for complex cases. Dennis’s practice areas include trade secrets misappropriation and breach of contract, as well as copyright, trademark and trade dress infringements. He has litigated business disputes involving breach of fiduciary duty, statutory and common law fraud, and RICO claims. Mr. Esford also practices in the growing area of Internet litigation as it relates to copyright, trademark, trade dress and defamation actions.
In addition to his law degree, Dennis holds a degree in industrial engineering technology. He has previously held engineering, sales and management positions at General Motors, Square D, United Technologies, Bodine Electric Company, Nationwide Insurance and Machinery Systems. He is a former Certified Machine Tool Sales Engineer (CMTSE) and a past Senior Editor of Cutting Tool Engineering, a highly respected international trade publication. Dennis has written numerous articles in the areas of machine and cutting tool technologies.
The broad technical and business experience Dennis brings to his clients allows him to quickly master the technical aspects of a dispute while appreciating the budgetary consideration his clients face when litigation is required.
Representative Experience
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Currently defending an Internet-based company in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against allegations of trademark and copyright infringement, trade secrets misappropriation and cybersquatting arising from the use of its website for e-commerce.
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Currently defending a local furniture retailer in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against allegations of trademark infringement, dilution and related claims by a national clothing retailer.
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Successfully defended a chemical distribution company in the Chancery Division of Cook County Illinois against alleged theft of trade secrets by a competitor’s former employee.
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Currently prosecuting claims in the Law Division of Cook County Illinois for alleged breach of contract and fraud on behalf of a client in the valet parking industry.
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Successfully briefed a Fourth District Illinois appeal that reversed the decision of a Champaign County trial court to dismiss with prejudice the negligent misrepresentation claims of our client against a law firm and one of its partners.
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Achieved dismissal with prejudice in the Law Division of Cook County Illinois for legal malpractice claims lodged against a Chicago attorney and his law firm.