Tressler LLP and Raysa & Zimmermann LLC Have Merged
APRIL 2, 2012 – (Chicago and Park Ridge, Ill.). Raysa & Zimmermann LLC, a premier local government law firm in Illinois, has merged with Tressler effective March 31, 2012. The combined firm name is Tressler LLP.
Through this merger Tressler gains seven lawyers and an office in Park Ridge, Ill. The attorneys who have joined from Raysa & Zimmermann are: Michael F. Zimmermann, Marshall Seeder and Erik R. Peck as partners; John J. Zimmermann and William G. Raysa as senior counsel; and Jeffrey Stein and Eric Yehl as associates.
“Although we will move forward as Tressler LLP, we will be greatly enhanced by the experience, reputation and integrity of our new colleagues,” said D.J. Sartorio, member of the firm’s Executive Committee and lead lawyer on the merger transition team. “This combination of firms creates one of the most experienced and multi-faceted local government practices in Illinois, as well as adds depth and skill to our corporate and commercial litigation practice groups. It also provides us with an office facility in Park Ridge, Illinois, to help us better support our local government and business practices in the north and northwest suburban metro area.”
Said Michael F. Zimmermann, who was Managing Partner of Raysa & Zimmermann: “In a time when local governments are faced with increasingly complex regulatory matters and ever-growing exposure to various forms of litigation, we believe that the diverse array of talent and specialties at Tressler will serve our local government clients well.”
ABOUT THE RAYSA & ZIMMERMANN ATTORNEYS
Michael F. Zimmermann, Partner (Chicago) concentrates his practice in local government law and commercial litigation. For more than 17 years, he has served as general counsel to Chicago-area municipalities and their leaders, representing them in day-to-day legal issues and as municipal prosecutor. In addition, Mike represents a variety of businesses and individuals in commercial litigation. He also represents both private and public clients in the creation and operation of projects designed to spur economic development.
Marshall Seeder, Partner (Chicago) is an accomplished trial attorney who has for 30 years represented clients in complex commercial and intellectual property litigation and dispute resolution. He counsels and represents diverse commercial and public sector clients in all areas of intellectual property law, including litigation associated with emerging technologies and applications. He is highly experienced in complex commercial litigation related to claims of unfair competition, commercial disparagement and defamation, and interference with contractual rights.
Erik R. Peck, Partner (Park Ridge) concentrates his practice primarily on the representation of municipalities, serving local governments as general counsel, prosecutor and administrative hearing officer. He also has extensive experience as counsel and trial attorney for private corporations in general corporate matters, contract review and negotiations. He also counsels individuals in estate planning, trusts and probate matters.
John J. Zimmermann, Senior Counsel (Park Ridge) co-founded Raysa & Zimmermann. He has represented local governments and municipalities for more than 40 years. His distinguished career has included serving as general counsel to numerous local government organizations in Northern Illinois, and playing a key role in the creation of innovative legislation with impact on communities the length and breadth of Illinois. John has been lead counsel in some of the most significant economic development projects and annexation efforts in Illinois history.
William G. Raysa, Senior Counsel (Park Ridge) co-founded Raysa & Zimmermann. He has more than 35 years experience representing numerous Northern Illinois municipalities as general and special counsel in all aspects of municipal law, including governmental practices and procedures, zoning, personnel issues, and representation of municipal boards. For more than 30 years, he has been Village Attorney for a Chicago-area municipality. In this role, he served as lead counsel for a commercial/retail tax increment financing (TIF) district since its inception in the village nearly one decade ago. Widely regarded as an annexation expert, particularly in the area of procedure and annexation agreements, Bill has served as special annexation counsel for municipalities and has handled numerous cases involving various aspects of the annexation statute.
Jeffrey M. Stein, Associate (Chicago) concentrates his practice in local government law and litigation. He counsels elected officials and municipal staff on all matters arising in municipal administration and management. His services run the spectrum from the trial of injunction cases to attendance at municipal board meetings. In addition he counsels and represents at trial municipal governments in the enforcement, litigation and prosecution of local ordinance and traffic violations. Jeff is highly knowledgeable in the area of International Code Council model codes and special prosecutions.
Eric J. Yehl, Associate (Chicago) concentrates his practice in local government law and commercial litigation. He joined Raysa & Zimmermann as an associate in 2010, after graduating from DePaul University College of Law.
The entire support staff of Raysa & Zimmermann has also joined Tressler. Tressler’s new Park Ridge office is located at: 22 South Washington Avenue, Park Ridge, IL 60068.
Contacts
Daniel R. Formeller, Managing Partner
312-627-4007
Michael F. Zimmermann
312-627-4027
D.J. Sartorio
312-627-4093
Additional Contact:
Kelly A. Fox, Director of Marketing
312-627-4188
Through this merger Tressler gains seven lawyers and an office in Park Ridge, Ill. The attorneys who have joined from Raysa & Zimmermann are: Michael F. Zimmermann, Marshall Seeder and Erik R. Peck as partners; John J. Zimmermann and William G. Raysa as senior counsel; and Jeffrey Stein and Eric Yehl as associates.
“Although we will move forward as Tressler LLP, we will be greatly enhanced by the experience, reputation and integrity of our new colleagues,” said D.J. Sartorio, member of the firm’s Executive Committee and lead lawyer on the merger transition team. “This combination of firms creates one of the most experienced and multi-faceted local government practices in Illinois, as well as adds depth and skill to our corporate and commercial litigation practice groups. It also provides us with an office facility in Park Ridge, Illinois, to help us better support our local government and business practices in the north and northwest suburban metro area.”
Said Michael F. Zimmermann, who was Managing Partner of Raysa & Zimmermann: “In a time when local governments are faced with increasingly complex regulatory matters and ever-growing exposure to various forms of litigation, we believe that the diverse array of talent and specialties at Tressler will serve our local government clients well.”
ABOUT THE RAYSA & ZIMMERMANN ATTORNEYS
Michael F. Zimmermann, Partner (Chicago) concentrates his practice in local government law and commercial litigation. For more than 17 years, he has served as general counsel to Chicago-area municipalities and their leaders, representing them in day-to-day legal issues and as municipal prosecutor. In addition, Mike represents a variety of businesses and individuals in commercial litigation. He also represents both private and public clients in the creation and operation of projects designed to spur economic development.
Marshall Seeder, Partner (Chicago) is an accomplished trial attorney who has for 30 years represented clients in complex commercial and intellectual property litigation and dispute resolution. He counsels and represents diverse commercial and public sector clients in all areas of intellectual property law, including litigation associated with emerging technologies and applications. He is highly experienced in complex commercial litigation related to claims of unfair competition, commercial disparagement and defamation, and interference with contractual rights.
Erik R. Peck, Partner (Park Ridge) concentrates his practice primarily on the representation of municipalities, serving local governments as general counsel, prosecutor and administrative hearing officer. He also has extensive experience as counsel and trial attorney for private corporations in general corporate matters, contract review and negotiations. He also counsels individuals in estate planning, trusts and probate matters.
John J. Zimmermann, Senior Counsel (Park Ridge) co-founded Raysa & Zimmermann. He has represented local governments and municipalities for more than 40 years. His distinguished career has included serving as general counsel to numerous local government organizations in Northern Illinois, and playing a key role in the creation of innovative legislation with impact on communities the length and breadth of Illinois. John has been lead counsel in some of the most significant economic development projects and annexation efforts in Illinois history.
William G. Raysa, Senior Counsel (Park Ridge) co-founded Raysa & Zimmermann. He has more than 35 years experience representing numerous Northern Illinois municipalities as general and special counsel in all aspects of municipal law, including governmental practices and procedures, zoning, personnel issues, and representation of municipal boards. For more than 30 years, he has been Village Attorney for a Chicago-area municipality. In this role, he served as lead counsel for a commercial/retail tax increment financing (TIF) district since its inception in the village nearly one decade ago. Widely regarded as an annexation expert, particularly in the area of procedure and annexation agreements, Bill has served as special annexation counsel for municipalities and has handled numerous cases involving various aspects of the annexation statute.
Jeffrey M. Stein, Associate (Chicago) concentrates his practice in local government law and litigation. He counsels elected officials and municipal staff on all matters arising in municipal administration and management. His services run the spectrum from the trial of injunction cases to attendance at municipal board meetings. In addition he counsels and represents at trial municipal governments in the enforcement, litigation and prosecution of local ordinance and traffic violations. Jeff is highly knowledgeable in the area of International Code Council model codes and special prosecutions.
Eric J. Yehl, Associate (Chicago) concentrates his practice in local government law and commercial litigation. He joined Raysa & Zimmermann as an associate in 2010, after graduating from DePaul University College of Law.
The entire support staff of Raysa & Zimmermann has also joined Tressler. Tressler’s new Park Ridge office is located at: 22 South Washington Avenue, Park Ridge, IL 60068.
Contacts
Daniel R. Formeller, Managing Partner
312-627-4007
Michael F. Zimmermann
312-627-4027
D.J. Sartorio
312-627-4093
Additional Contact:
Kelly A. Fox, Director of Marketing
312-627-4188