Appellate Law Expert Witnesses

Richard J. Brzeczek, Attorney at Law, Chicago Police Department Superintendent (Retired) has over 45 years of experience in the criminal justice system. He is a noted Expert and Consultant in the area of Police Policy and Procedure.

Background - Mr. Brzeczek has 19 years of experience as a police officer and police official, and over 25 years of experience as a criminal defense attorney. From 1973-1980, he served as General Counsel for the Chicago Police Department. Prior to that, Mr. Brzeczek was a partner at Levy & Erens, a commercial litigation, bankruptcy, and commercial real estate firm. He has 28 years experience teaching law enforcement seminars on the subjects of police misconduct, internal affairs procedures / investigations, and use of deadly and non-deadly force. This includes several years teaching at the FBI Academy (FBI National Academy and FBI National Executive Institute).

Attorney Services - Mr. Brzeczek is currently in the private practice of law concentrating primarily on Federal and State Criminal Defense with experience in civil litigation and administrative hearings. He argues cases on appeal at the Federal and State levels.

Litigation Support Richard J. Brzeczek has almost 30 years of experience as an opinion/expert witness. He has provided his expertise in a Wrongful Conviction Litigation which resulted in a multi-million dollar award for plaintiff. He also served as an expert witness involving Proper Police Procedures regarding the handling of a suicide threat and traffic safety.

Areas of Expertise:

• Police Administration & Procedures - Policy Development, Review, and Implementation
• Police Misconduct Issues - Improper Procedures, Wanton and Willful Conduct and Wrongful Convictions
• Internal Affairs Issues - Examining Competency of Investigations

Profile: Mr. Freeman founded this firm in 1962, three years after graduating from Stanford Law School, and has been serving local and national clients ever since. His expertise inlcude matters relating to Real Estate business and development, Eminent Domain / Condemnation, Commercial Law, Civil and Commercial Litigation. He has authored several articles including "An Overview of Defenses Available to Guarantors of Real Property Secured Transactions Under California Law," 2 Santa Clara Law Review (1998).

Firm Profile: Serves as special litigation counsel to numerous government entities in eminent domain, inverse condemnation, tort and contract matters. The firm represents banks, real estate developers, contractors, food processors, growers and manufacturers. We serve as local counsel for many national companies in litigation, business and governmental matters.

The firm's litigation practice focuses on: complex business litigation, including class actions, coordinated and multi-district proceedings; land use, real estate, eminent domain and environmental litigation; insurance coverage/bad faith disputes; professional liability; and appellate proceedings. Our transactional practice encompasses complex commercial and real estate transactions, including buy/sell agreements, development agreements, mergers and acquisitions.

For more information, please contact us or visit our website.

Charles Taylor is a partner at Lang, Richert & Patch specializing in federal civil litigation. He has represented clients in areas such as Civil Rights, Government Contracts and Leases, Insurance Coverage, and Business Litigation in various federal district courts around the United States, in adversary proceedings in the bankruptcy court, and before governmental administrative boards.

Mr. Taylor specializes in all aspects of Employment Law, including sexual harassment, discrimination, and wrongful termination. He has represented local and national clients on various employment issues before the Labor Commission, Department of Fair Employment and Housing, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and Employment Development Department. In addition, he advises employers on preventing employment relations problems and on developing personnel policies and procedures.

Illustrative Case:

Engaged by bakery to defend against civil complaint filed by Department of Justice for alleged violations of Clean Air Act with over $3 million in potential penalties. Successfully negotiated dismissal of the case without penalty

Engaged by local concessionaire on government owned property after improper termination of lease. Actions litigated in both federal district court and before Contract Board of Appeals. Prevailed on entitlement issues after an 8 day hearing

Successful settlement on quantum before trial for in excess of $1.3 million

Successfully defended on summary judgment large grocery store chain by four female employees claiming sexual harassment and gender discrimination

Successfully defended regional employer for alleged wrongful termination in violation of public policy, fraud, tortious bad faith, and intentional infliction of emotional distress