Photo of Manuel J. Placencia, Jr.

Manuel J. Placencia, Jr.

Principal

Office

T:
+1.312.460.4292
O:
+1.312.460.4200
F:
+1.312.460.4201
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Education

University of Illinois College of Law, J.D.

Dartmouth College, B.A.

Bar Admissions

Court Admissions

U.S. Court of Appeals

  • Seventh Circuit

U.S. District Court

  • Northern District of Illinois
  • Northern District of Illinois Trial Bar

An accomplished litigator and dispute resolution practitioner, Manuel J. Placencia, Jr. represents a wide variety of clients in matters involving commercial contracts, real estate, construction, shareholder disputes, business torts and breach of fiduciary duty. He also has significant experience representing clients in insurance coverage matters and product liability actions.

He has successfully represented a diverse group of the firm’s clients, including commercial real estate owners and developers, general contractors, steel and metals industry clients, medical professionals, restaurant owners, financial institutions and a real estate title company.

Serving as lead litigation counsel, Manuel obtained a summary judgment reversal from the Illinois Supreme Court on behalf of a steel and metals industry client in a matter addressing the scope of successor liability in Illinois and issues relating to the Illinois Limited Partnership Act. In another business litigation case, he served as lead counsel and successfully resolved claims involving restrictive covenants, on behalf of a purchaser of a dental practice.

As trial counsel in a real estate case, he obtained a judgment on behalf of a title insurance company in a matter involving breach of statutory covenants of warranty deed and the failure to convey property that was previously taken pursuant to eminent domain by the City of Chicago. In other cases, he successfully represented a Chicago Loop-based commercial landlord client in lease termination proceedings against a large department store chain, and he represented owners of Chicago Loop commercial property in a shareholder dispute involving allegations of breach of fiduciary duty.

Manuel also has significant experience representing construction owners and developers in complex courtroom fights. As a key member of the trial and appellate team representing a large general contractor, he secured a favorable affirmation of judgment from the Illinois Appellate Court in a case involving contractual delay damages. As lead counsel in another case, he successfully defended and resolved 15 separate claims brought by contractors under the Illinois Mechanics Lien Act on behalf of a Chicago Loop-based real estate development company for a high-profile property located in the Loop.

Representative Matters

Professional Activities

University of Illinois College of Law Alumni Board

Speeches

Injunctions, Declaratory Judgments, Receiverships and Other Equitable Proceedings:  Identifying, Pleading and Proving Equitable Causes of Action Beyond Foreclosure; Best Pleading Practices:  Complaints, Answers and Motions to Dismiss”  Illinois State Bar Association CLE Presentation and Live Webinar, June 2015.

“Real Estate Litigation Issues,” Webinar for Attorneys’ Title Guaranty Fund, Inc., May 2011

“An Owner’s Look at the Illinois Mechanics Lien Act: Old Rules and New Duties,” Joseph Freed and Associates LLC, May 2009

Articles