ELIAS M. GORDAN
Practice Areas:
I focus on construction law, utility law, intellectual property law (patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets, Internet names), business law, and related areas. Other lawyers know the legal part of a dispute. As a Registered Professional Engineer, as well as a lawyer, I know the legal part, and the technical part, as well.
The goals of my practice:
- Help clients make money
- Give clients a business edge (not just a legal edge)
- Keep clients out of trouble (and get them out of it, too)
- Help inventors and creators to get rich
Some recent accomplishments:
- Our award-winning client update service, using e-mail to advise our clients of legal developments and industry news, to give them an edge against their competition. Not only are clients given the news, they are given "hot-links" or attachments to the source of the news, to help demystify the law and the issues. Click here for a sample
In December, 2003, we were awarded the Technology Advancement Award by the Illinois Road and Transportation Builders Association (www.irtba.org), for our innovative use of technology in helping the road/bridge/transportation industry.
We have been involved with Illinois road and bridge builders for over 2 decades, and have an in-depth knowledge of the industry (and its players) that few other lawyers have. Our goal is to be the "go-to" source for the industry.
- In November, 2003, we obtained Patent 6,651,967 on behalf of a pipefitter client, for an alignment device. We assist inventors and creators in obtaining patent, copyright, trademark, trade secret, and domain names, from initial conception through (and beyond) final issue of the rights.
To view our Patent, click
- We are resolving construction claims, on an ongoing basis, against the Illinois DOT, the Cook County Highway Department, and other agencies, through administrative proceedings, and (if necessary) in the courts.
- In August, 2003, we obtained a registered trademark from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, for a contractor client's slogan, exhibiting their commitment to quality in their work.
- We have represented the road/bridge industry before the Illinois Supreme Court. We filed a "friend of the court" brief ("amicus curiae" brief), on four days notice, supporting a member contractor's right to recover costs against a utility, for the utility's delays in relocation.
Plote Construction v. Illinois Bell Telephone Co. (Case 95236, 2002)
- We have served as the primary voice for the construction industry, during the formation of rules by the Illinois Commerce Commission, for the protection of Illinois underground utilities. Illinois Commerce Commission Docket 01-0824 (2002). We continue to follow the new regulations as they unfold.
Why retain my services?
- Two decades of experience in the construction industry, first as a Resident Engineer for the Illinois DOT, then as an attorney. I can build it, not just fight over it. Many contractors from my engineering career, have gone on to retain me for legal counsel. Large contractors, small contractors, and midsize contractors. A major Chicago-area construction trade association has entrusted me with speaking for them, to the regulatory agencies, and in the courts. Click here for a list of construction projects I have been involved in.
- My focus on preventing a dispute if possible, avoiding litigation if we can, but litigating all the way to trialif we have to.
- Familiarity and training in mediation and arbitration, including special "40-hour" training in mediation techniques, and registration as a Civil Mediator in the State of Indiana, one of relatively few mediators concentrating in construction issues or intellectual property issues. Also, I have been involved in deciding over two dozen court-affiliated arbitrations in Cook County and Will County, IL, involving contract and personal-injury issues.
- Personal service, as few law firms can offer. I care not only about my clients' success in the matter at hand, I want to help them compete better in their marketplace, and help them to create wealth where none existed before.
Should you have any further questions, please contact us.
EDUCATION
BSCE, Northwestern University, Evanston, 1983
MBA (with distinction), DePaul University, Chicago, 1990
JD, The John Marshall Law School, Chicago, 1994
(LLM coursework, Intellectual Property)
BAR ADMISSIONS
United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, 1995
United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, 1994
United States District Court, Northern District Illinois, 1994
United States District Court, Northern District Indiana, 1994
United States District Court, Southern District Indiana, 1994
Indiana, Illinois, 1994
United States Patent and Trademark Office, 1994
PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATIONS
Civil Mediator, Indiana, 2000
Professional Engineer, Indiana, 1992
Professional Engineer, Illinois, 1988