Catherine Hess Email & Phone Number

Represented public school districts in tax objection cases. Managed FOIA and Open Meetings Act inquiries and requests for review received by school districts, and defend complaints of non-compliance. Drafted pleadings, complex motions and briefs for all levels of litigation for tax, civil and employment matters. Researched, analyzed and interpreted pending and existing legislation, policies and laws affecting public bodies. Drafted memoranda apprising clients of legal issues affecting public bodies. Defended districts in employee disputes involving grievances, arbitration, the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board, the Illinois Department of Human Rights and the EEOC.

Wrote analytical and explanatory articles for multi-state tax publication. Monitored and analyzed legislation and case law affecting state tax matters. Responded to customer inquiries regarding state tax matters.

Prosecuted building, health, and fire code matters as a 711 law clerk at the administrative level. Conducted frequent hearings before administrative hearing officers. Negotiated settlement agreements with litigants. Drafted motions and pleadings for litigation pending in circuit court and at the administrative level.

Drafted pleadings, motions, and appellate briefs for workers' compensation defense matters. Drafted evaluation letters to clients analyzing incoming cases, evaluating liability and exposure, and providing recommendations for defense.

Researched workers' compensation issues for large insurance defense firm and drafted memoranda. Drafted client letters analyzing legal issues evaluating exposure. Assisted attorneys with trial preparation.

Juris Doctor

Chicago-Kent Journal of International and Comparative Law, Executive Submissions Editor

Bachelor Of Science, Psychology