Heather Kramer concentrates her practice in the area of trial and appellate commercial litigation in both Federal and State courts. Ms. Kramer's experience includes representing clients in matters involving breach of contract, fraud, covenants not to compete, employment, business torts, misappropriation of trade secrets, trademark and copyright infringement, franchising, and products liability.  Her corporate clients have included manufacturers, real estate developers, pharmaceutical companies, and representatives of many other industries.  Ms. Kramer also represents individuals in business disputes.

Ms. Kramer performs volunteer legal work through the firm’s pro bono program.  She was recently successful in obtaining political asylum for a U.S. juvenile originally from Ethiopia whose immediate family suffered political persecution.  She is also active with the National Immigration Justice Center, and has been recognized by the Consul General of Mexico for her volunteer work on behalf of an immigrant family.

Prior to joining Schwartz Cooper, Ms. Kramer served as a law clerk to the Honorable Steven M. Colloton of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.

Bar Admissions & Memberships

• Illinois
• Northern District of Illinois Trial Bar
• United States District Court for the Northern, Central and Southern Districts of Illinois
• United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit

Education

• J.D. - University of Texas, 2000 (with honors)
• B.A. - University of Iowa, 1997 (with highest honors); Phi Beta Kappa

Representative Matters

• Appelbaum v. Appelbaum, 355 Ill.App.3d 926, 823 N.E.2d (1st Dist. 2005) (reversing issuance of preliminary injunction based upon on post employment covenant not to compete; court found that employer had no protectable interest in its relationship with customers)
• InsureOne et al. v. James P. Hallberg et al. (represented former owner and employees of insurance agency in five-week bench trial against new owner of agency, involving issues of breach of contract and enforceability of covenants not to compete)
• Zeller Realty Corporation v. AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company, Cir. Ct. Cook County, Ill., No. 03L 2468 (represented buyer of landmark Chicago office building in a two-week jury trial involving breach of contract and fraud claims; the matter was successfully resolved prior to closing arguments)

Memberships

• Chicago Bar Association Commercial Litigation Committee
• Chicago Bar Association Employment Law Committee