Rob Hanauer has been interviewed by the broadcast news media for his representation of various high-profile clients, including affiliates for ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox news. His cases have been covered in various blogs and print news outlets throughout the state including the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, Illinois State Bar Association, Peoria Journal Star, Quad-City Times, and Herald-Whig, to name just a few. Rob has also been a commentator, offering legal opinions on various issues of public concern, for affiliates of CBS and Fox news.
Significant Cases
Edwards v. Atterberry, 2019 IL 123370 Petitioner was found guilty by a jury of an alleged regulatory offense. After his finding of guilt, but before conviction, Petitioner sought a writ of prohibition and supervisory order in the Illinois Supreme Court. A four-justice majority denied Petitioner’s requested relief without determining whether the trial court had jurisdiction over Petitioner. The majority found that Petitioner possessed an adequate remedy at law; to wit, post-trial motions and the normal appellate process. Three dissenting Justices of the Illinois Supreme Court disagreed with the majority’s decision, observing that Petitioner had been prosecuted for and convicted of a non-existent regulatory offense.
Wisam 1, Inc. d/b/a Sheridan Liquors v. Illinois Liquor Control Commission, et al., 2014 IL 116173 Hearsay evidence was admitted in error against liquor licensee during hearing before the Peoria Liquor Control Commission. We appealed on behalf of the liquor licensee to the Illinois Liquor Control Commission; Tenth Judicial Circuit Court, Peoria County; Illinois Appellate Court, Third District; and finally to the Illinois Supreme Court. The Illinois Supreme Court articulated that due process generally precludes the admission of hearsay evidence, even in administrative proceedings.
Pagel v. TIN, Inc., 695 F.3d 622 (7th Cir. 2012) Employer failed to reduce Plaintiff’s sales goals to reflect Plaintiff’s diminished capacity while on FMLA-qualifying leave. Employer terminated Plaintiff’s employment based on poor sales performance. District Court granted summary judgment in favor of Employer. We appealed on behalf of Plaintiff. Appellate Court reversed the District Court, finding that a reasonable jury could find that Employer’s failure to reduce sales goals while employee was on FMLA-qualifying leave denied him the full benefits to which he would have been entitled.
Education
Juris Doctor, Northern Illinois University (Cum Laude & Top 25% of Graduating Class)
Bachelor of Arts-Political Science & Communication Studies, Augustana College
Professional Associations
Illinois State Bar Association
Peoria County Bar Association
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Illinois Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Court Admissions
United States Supreme Court
State Courts of Illinois
United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
United States District Court for the Central, Northern, and Southern Districts of Illinois
Professional Recognition
Recognized as an Emerging Lawyer by the Leading Lawyers Network in the areas of Criminal Defense Law: DUI, Felonies & Misdemeanors, Civil Appellate Law, and Criminal Appellate Law. Less than 2% of all lawyers licensed in each state have received the distinction of Emerging Lawyer.
Argued Before
Illinois Supreme Court
Illinois Appellate Court
Illinois Trial Courts
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
U.S. District Courts
U.S. Department of the Army
Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
Illinois Department of Human Rights
Illinois Liquor Control Commission
Illinois Department of Public Health
Peoria County Election Commission
Arbitrators on behalf of labor unions
Various other local administrative agencies
Filed Petition for Writ of Certiorari in Supreme Court of the United States
Community Involvement
Volunteer Coach, Youth leader in Boy Scouts of America
