Channing Blair Hesse

Channing Blair Hesse

PARTNER

Channing Blair Hesse has more than 27 years of experience advising and representing publicly-traded and closely-held companies in a wide range of corporate matters, including contract review and negotiation, regulatory, union and labor matters and intellectual property involving patent license agreements, copyright infringement and tradename/trademark registration.


She represents several businesses as outside general counsel and advises businesses in their everyday concerns, from contracts to employment to intellectual property. Having litigated complex commercial disputes for over 20 years she has the ability to help clients avoid costly, protracted litigation. Her practice has spanned both state and federal courts in Illinois, Indiana, Florida, California, and New Jersey.


Ms. Hesse has a great depth of experience representing companies in the construction industry. She has advised business owners in matters involving government regulations, real estate, insurance, and employment and labor-related issues including representing clients before union trade boards. Also, Ms. Hesse has handled various litigation matters, such as mechanics liens, delay and defective work claims for owners, general contractors, subcontractors and suppliers.


Ms. Hesse is married to Emmett A. Hesse and has three children who attend Indiana University and Benet Academy in Lisle. She grew up in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and currently resides in Downers Grove, Illinois. She is a classical pianist, bikes to work and loves to travel.

Notable Engagements

  • LeSEA, Inc. et al. v. LeSEA Broadcasting Corp., Northern District of Indiana.

        Defended claims of trademark infringement and prosecuted counterclaims of copyright

        infringement involving the works of TV evangelist, Dr. Lester Sumrall.

  • People v. Meyer Paving Inc., obtained directed verdict against Laborers' union alleging

        claims against paving contractor under the False Claims Act.

  • Rapak v. Liquibox, Northern District of Illinois. Brought breach of patent license agreement; sough injunction and obtained successful settlement.
  • Scholle v. Rapak, Northern District of Illinois. Oversaw patent counsel/litigation through to settlement as outside corporate counsel.
  • Capitalsource Finance, Inc. v. Dellisart-Chicago B, LLC, Cook County, Chancery Division. Prosecuted mechanics lien filed on the Staybridge Suites hotel project in Chicago, Illinois, resulting in favorable settlement for client.
  • Trudeau v. DMC, Northern District of Illinois, Central District of California, Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Both defended and prosecuted national litigation relating to production, distribution and product sale rights of supplements. Involved claims of contract law, Lanham Act, copyright and misappropriation of name and likeness. Wellness Publishing v. Barefoot, District Court of New Jersey. Related action to Trudeau v. DMC. Successfully briefed and argued motion to dismiss for lack of personal jurisdiction.
  • Callies’ Enterprises, Inc. d/b/a Quick-Wrap Bags v. MacDonald, Northern District of Illinois. Defended action brought under Illinois Trade Secrets Act, Illinois Deceptive Trade Practices Act, and Lanham Act resulting in favorable settlement for client.
  • Muguerza v. Rymer Foods, Inc., Northern District of Illinois. Defended company against claims of breach of employment agreement against company, company executives, and ERISA plans.
  • Locsmondy v. Arrow Pneumatics, Inc., Northern District of Illinois. Defended company against claims of retaliation under Title VII and breach of employment agreement.
  • Baldi v. Longview, Northern District of Illinois. Defended several injunctions and prevailed on motions to dismiss on behalf of company against steelworkers’ union.

Education

  • IIT-Chicago Kent College of Law, JD with honors, 1994; Moot Court Society, Member
  • Northern Illinois University, BA with honors, 1991

Admitted

  • Supreme Court of United States, March 2013
  • Supreme Court of Illinois, 1994
  • United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, 1994
  • United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois, 1994

Employment History

  • Grogan Hesse & Uditsky; Shareholder, 2010-present
  • HVAC Consultants, Inc.; HVAC Mechanical, LLC; and HVAC Fittings, Inc.; General Counsel, 2003-2010
  • Shefsky & Froelich; Partner, 2001-2003; Of Counsel, 2003-2010
  • Shefsky & Froelich; Associate, 1997-2001
  • Williams & Montgomery; Associate, 1994-1997
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