Steven Michael Ruffalo

PRO

Steven Michael Ruffalo

4.7
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 36 years

Litigation Lawyer at Chicago, IL
Practice Areas: Litigation, Commercial, Business

200 S Wacker, Suite 600, Chicago, IL

Virtual Consultation Available

Free Consultation

About Steven

Biography

Helping clients get through their commercial disputes, no matter how complicated.

Real leverage for settling a contested dispute comes from having counsel with trial experience.

The best, most effective strategy is formed months before litigation ever begins.

Over 25 years experience navigating a wide range of commercial disputes.

Practice Areas

3

Practice Areas

Litigation 45%

I have litigated and tried many cases in federal and state courtrooms in the tri-state region of Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana for the past 24 years including contested estates, business disputes, zoning, employee covenants, fraud, breach of contract and fiduciary duties often within a B to B setting.

37 years | 1,500 cases

45%
Commercial Real Estate 30%

Serving as corporate counsel to many closely held and mid-sized businesses. Assisting businesses and their owners with estate and succession planning, asset protection, commercial real estate and their corporate transactional needs. Emphasis is always on keeping clients out of the court room, if possible, and if not then on developing a winning (case management) strategy.

37 years | 500 cases

30%
Business 25%

Consulting with business owners before a contemplated agreement is made in order to sensibly structure and advise start ups and counsel established businesses. Enhanced focus on asset protection, succession planning and documenting well thought out agreements which include terms mandating alternative means of dispute resolution (such as binding mediation) giving businesses a confidential, affordable and more predictable means of resolving disputed issues, without litigation.

37 years | 500 cases

25%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 30 minutes

Hourly Rates

$ 250-815 per hour


Payment Methods

  • Check

Awards

Client's Choice
Client's Choice
2023
AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating

Licenses

Licensed in Illinois for 36 years

State: Illinois

Acquired: 1989

Active and Authorized to Practice Law

No misconduct found

Location

Steven Ruffalo - Krieg DeVault, LLP

200 S Wacker, Suite 600, Chicago, IL, 60606

kriegdevault.com/professionals/steven-ruffalo

Online Presence

Other places you can find Steven online.

Steven Michael Ruffalo's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.7 /5.0

12 Client Reviews

5 star (11)
4 star (0)
3 star (0)
2 star (0)
1 star (1)

Posted by anonymous | August 3, 2023 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Phenomenal experience defined by professional expertise

Steven was the first lawyer I ever worked with and I did not know what to expect. He did an amazing job clarifying the process, explaining what I needed to do when, and answered questions immediately. He is an ultimate professional who is highly organized and proactive. I always felt respected and l...earned so much through the experience. I highly recommend Steven to anyone who needs legal representation and support. He and his team provided a personal touch that strengthened my confidence and my case. I'm forever grateful for having worked with him and his stellar team.

Posted by Phil | May 31, 2023 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Great Advocate

I have known Steven Ruffalo for over 25 years. He is an excellent lawyer who has the uncanny ability to resolve complex matters by simplifying the issues and providing practical solutions aimed at achieving his client's objectives. When disputes arise, you will have a distinct advantage when Steve... is in your corner!

Posted by Michael | May 22, 2023 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Got my money back!

I had an issue with a contractor; he completed subpar work causing the problem I hired him to fix to come back. He refused to take responsibility or return my calls or texts. I hired Steven, and he immediately went to work to resolve the issue and get my money back, which he did. I would recommend hi...m.

Posted by Lisa | April 13, 2023 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

A Professional and Passionate Advocate

Mr. Ruffalo helped guide me through a very challenging David vs Goliath dispute. He had great ideas and wonderful additional counsel who were patient and smart. It was obvious that he had both the passion and experience to win the dispute on my behalf. For my part, I researched the company and ...the situation thoroughly and dug in to find similar, past disputes. I sent my own very specific demand letter, which was ignored by the company. I think some of my specific research may have been missed at the beginning by Mr. Ruffalo's staff because the documents were formatted differently, and there were so many of them. I was unaware of what had been received and viewed by Mr. Ruffalo's staff and what had not. Otherwise, I am delighted with the outcome, as it was a dispute that is rarely resolved. I am grateful to Mr. Ruffalo for taking on the case. I highly recommend his professional and straightforward services.

Posted by Amit | February 23, 2023 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Excellent Attorney and Valuable Ally on Your Side

I had a great experience working with Steven. I am on a tight budget as a new business owner but I found his pricing model to be flexible, and most importantly, reasonable. He was great to work with, and was very reliable and trustworthy. I had explored many options, and found him to be the best choi...ce to handle my situation which was to handle the difficult termination of a business relationship between myself and a potential partner. He was responsive to my emails and calls, and he was very assuring and confident in how to handle the matter. I highly recommend him for anyone who needs an attorney to represent their interests for business purposes.

Steven Ruffalo

Replied last February 24, 2023

Thanks Amit - I am delighted that we could help you and grateful for your kind words.

See All Client Reviews

Steven Michael Ruffalo's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Steven
Peter Scott Lubin headshot
Peter Lubin

Litigation lawyer | May 23

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Steven is an exceptional commercial trial lawyer and mediator. He is a lawyers’ lawyer as well. I trust him to give me advice and counsel on particularly difficult and complex Issues. Lawyers I highly respect have referred to him as one of the best commercial mediators in the Chicago area. Steven is also highly respected by judges in state and federal courts."

Alisa Michele Levin headshot
Alisa Levin

Litigation lawyer | Aug 16

Relationship: Worked for lawyer

"I have worked extensively with Mr. Ruffalo, and highly recommend him as an experienced litigation attorney. He is skilled, knowledgeable, aggressive and an excellent trial lawyer whom I had the pleasure of learning many things from. I would recommend him for complex litigation matters and those involving municipal clients."

Jeffrey Morris Jacobson headshot
Jeffrey Jacobson

Election campaigns and political law lawyer | Aug 09

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Donald John Ramsell headshot
Donald Ramsell

Divorce and separation lawyer | Sep 01

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer's work. Steve is considered to be aggressive, hard working, and a valuable attorney by his clients. You should be calling this attorney if you are in need of a great lawyer!"

Lawrence Allen Stein headshot
Lawrence Stein

Litigation lawyer | Aug 09

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer's work. Steve is an excellent lawyer and well respected by his peers. And the judges in our community also respect him, his work, and his integrity."

View All Endorsements
Alisa Michele Levin headshot
Alisa Levin

Litigation lawyer

Lawrence Allen Stein headshot
Lawrence Stein

Litigation lawyer

Jeffrey Morris Jacobson headshot
Jeffrey Jacobson

Discrimination lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2025

AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2019

Leading Lawyer, Leading Lawyers Network

2017

Leading Lawyer, Leading Lawyers Network

2016

Leading Lawyer, Leading Lawyers Network

1999

AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

Work Experience

1990 - Present

Partner, Krieg De Vault, LLP

Associations

2022 - Present

DuPage County Bar Association

Chair

2018 - Present

Illinois Supreme Court Rules Committee

Member

2014 - 2018

Village of Glen Ellyn

Ethics Officer

2011 - 2012

DuPage County Bar Foundation

President

2011 - 2015

College of DuPage Foundation

Director

2010 - 2011

DuPage County Bar Association

President

2006 - 2007

DuPage County Bar Association

Director

2004 - 2005

DuPage County Bar Association

General Counsel

Sample of Legal Cases

Maxit, Inc. v. Van Cleve, 231 Ill.2d 229

Settled after appeals

American Automotive Accessories, Inc. v. Fishman, 175 F.3d 534

Summary Judgment affirmed on appeal.

Applegate Apartments Ltd Pship v. Commercial Coin Laundry Systems, 276 Ill.App.3d 433

Settled after appeal.

Roels v. Drew Industries, 240 Ill.App.3d 578

Case settled in favor of our client.

See More Legal Cases

Education

1988

John Marshall Law School, Chicago

1988

Rosary College of Arts and Sciences

M.B.A

1984

University of Illinois, Chicago

Speaking Engagements

2025

DuPage County Bar Association

Chair ADR Section Meetings for DuPage County bar

2021

DuPage County Bar Association

Host/Attendee Annual Judges Night

2012

Legal Action Television Program Starting Your Own Business

2012

DuPage County Bar Foundation

Presided over all Bar Meetings in 2011 & 2012 as acting president for DuPage County Bar Foundation

Publications

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

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Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution