JOSH HEIDELMAN

josh@ch-llp.com | LinkedIn | 312.530.7646

Education

  • Notre Dame Law School, JD, magna cum laude

  • Wheaton College, BA, summa cum laude

Bar/Court Admissions and Professional Affiliations

  • Illinois

  • Colorado

  • United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (including Trial Bar)

  • United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

  • United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit

  • Illinois State Bar Association

  • Board member for Christian Leadership Alliance; chair of governance committee

  • Christian Legal Society

Selected Publications and Speaking Engagements

  • Appropriate “Prying” Into the CEO’s Personal Life, workshop seminar at national conference, 2023

  • Critical Decision Points in Investigations, workshop seminar at national conference, 2022

  • Dealing with Risk in Unstable Countries, workshop seminar at national conference, 2022

  • Preventing Scandals in the C-Suite, workshop seminar at national conference, 2022

  • HR Compliance and Policy Issues in the New Administration/Congress, workshop seminar at national conference, 2021

  • International Grantmaking: Critical Compliance Steps when Funding Work Overseas, workshop seminar at national conference, 2021

  • Avoiding Personal Liability as a Board Member, workshop seminar at national conference, 2021

  • Legal/Regulatory Challenges in International Work, workshop seminar at national conference, 2020

  • Attorney-Client Privilege and Former Directors and Officers, co-authored with M. Schrier, published by the ABA Committee on Commercial and Business Litigation, Aug. 26, 2011

 
 

Josh brings a breadth of experience to the table, having spent several years in private practice at AmLaw 100 law firms followed by more than five years in the role of General Counsel for a major global nonprofit.

This combination brings together the benefits of an in-house veteran who understands the need for practical business solutions and a hands-on litigator whose experience includes first-chair federal court trial work.

Josh’s private practice experience encompasses a wide variety of complex commercial litigation matters, including those involving cross-border contract disputes, intellectual property, employment, and unfair competition. He has deep experience negotiating disputes at the pre-litigation stage in ways that avoid litigation altogether, but he also has taken cases through every stage of litigation, from initial filing to motion practice, discovery, trial, and appeal.

While in house, Josh’s role included service on the executive leadership team and as corporate secretary. He was thus intimately involved in strategic leadership that went far beyond mere legal advice, and for a portion of his tenure, all of HR and benefits fell within his leadership purview. As corporate secretary, Josh was heavily involved in all aspects of board governance, including board elections, onboarding and training new directors, and revising bylaws and the board’s governance policy.

Josh is an AV Preeminent rated lawyer through Martindale-Hubbell and has been recognized by Super Lawyers for multiple years.

Josh is married to Susan, and they have five children. When not spending time with family, Josh enjoys golf, running, soccer, and backpacking.

  • Successfully defended employers against IDHR/EEOC and IDOL charges.

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    Counseling towards litigation avoidance, negotiating separation agreements where warranted.

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    Analyzed, drafted, and revised of employment policies and handbooks.

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    Defended employers in litigation including Title VII, ADEA, and FMLA litigation.

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    Represented employers in trade secret and noncompete litigation.

  • Conducted internal investigation of racial and gender harassment for a global humanitarian organization.

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    Oversaw multiple internal investigations related to workplace misconduct.

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    Conducted investigation of alleged executive level misconduct for a mega church in the southern United States.

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    Conducted investigation into organizational response to alleged youth misconduct at camp.

  • Served as lead trial counsel for Italian steel fabricator in federal court jury trial of dispute related to manufacture of derrick structures for natural gas field in Qatar.

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    ​Represented French importer of gourmet stocks in challenge to tariff classification; obtained favorable appellate verdict in U.S. Federal Circuit Court of Appeals.

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    Represented German pharmaceutical manufacturer in action against former U.S. distributor involving claims of breach of contract, trademark infringement, and unfair competition.

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    Represented German crane manufacturer in dispute with former U.S. distributor involving claims of breach of contract and trademark infringement.

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    Served as lead trial counsel in federal court bench trial of Nigerian national’s defense of Petition brought under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction.

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    Represented limited partner in dispute over valuation of commercial real estate.

  • Serve as outside general counsel for multiple large nonprofit organizations.

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    Counseled in best practices towards maintaining tax-exempt status​.

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    Advising leadership in high-risk decisions with significant potential legal and negative PR exposure.

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    Counseled multiple international nonprofits for engaging in charitable work overseas with and through local NGOs.

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    Drafted and revised ​bylaws, articles of incorporation, and board policies.

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    Consulted with boards in compliance and best practices in governance​​​.