FVLD’s 40th Anniversary Year In Review

As we wish our clients, referral sources, and friends a happy and healthy New Year, and to ring in the New Year, we thought it suitable to reflect, share, and, especially, thank you for the many warm wishes and congratulations we received as FVLD celebrated the 40th Anniversary of our founding earlier this year.

We are excited to announce that Cecilia M. Suh will become a member of the Firm, effective January 1, 2022. 

The following associates joined us as attorneys in 2021:  Gabrielle A. Long, Bryan G. Schatz, and Vince A. DeCicco.

In 2021, the following FVLD lawyers received significant recognitions:

These distinctions recognize no more than 5% of Illinois lawyers.  Notably, Vance is the only Illinois Super Lawyer recognized in the Mergers & Acquisition category that practices at a small firm.

Despite the challenges of the pandemic, we enjoyed continued support from our clients and repaid them with our best efforts.  These included a widely reported landmark victory in the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals on behalf of a health care whistleblower involving Medicare benefits under the False Claims Act; dismissals of several defamation/privacy/publicity cases; closing numerous mergers and acquisitions and commercial real estate deals; procuring and protecting valuable trademarks for clients; successful defense of cases before the NFA and CFTC; leading the solar industry’s legal efforts to protect and expand development opportunities; and representing new clients, particularly in the cybersecurity, social media, futures, derivatives, and alternative energy sectors. 

Continuing as thought leaders for the Bar, our attorneys authored several works for select publications, including the 2021 surveys of “Illinois Employment Privacy Law” and “Illinois Libel Law” for Media Law Research Counsel, and “Strikes” for the Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education, and updated “HIV and Employment” for the latest edition of Wolters Kluwer’s treatise, AIDS and the Law.  We also published numerous newsletters in 2021 to keep up with rapid changes in the law and legal developments, all of which are available to you on our refreshed and upgraded website.

With so many topics demanding heightened awareness in 2021, we conducted a record number of webinars and client workshops about them, including COVID-19 Vaccines and Mandates; Cyber Security; Changes to Illinois Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Law; Equity Opportunities for Key Employees; Succession, Estate, and Tax Planning; Board Effectiveness; Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging; Preventing and Investigating Harassment; Helping Managers Be Better Managers through Proper Documentation; and Mental Health and Substance Abuse.

As in the past, in 2021 we shared our good fortune by donating to worthy Chicago charitable causes, including Pediatric Cancer Awareness, Chicago Volunteer Legal Services, and PAWS.

We hope that 2022 will be a year of peace, widespread good health, and success for all.  We and our talented staff look forward to continuing to serve all of you for many more years to come.  THANK YOU!