As a partner with WilliamsMcCarthy, I enjoy a diverse practice in the state and federal courts. My clients range from individuals to multinational corporations. In addition to being admitted to practice in the state courts throughout Illinois and Wisconsin, I am also admitted to practice in numerous federal district courts. I am a registered member of the Trial Bar of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, and routinely hears cases as an arbitrator participating in the Illinois 17th Judicial Circuit’s Court Annexed Mandatory Arbitration Program. I frequently serve as local counsel for attorneys from other jurisdictions and welcome referrals of clients throughout the Midwestern United States and beyond.
Prior to attending law school, I graduated with high honors from Elmhurst College and studied abroad at the University of Oxford. I am an honors graduate of the Northern Illinois University College of Law where I was Editor-in-Chief of the NIU Law Review. While a law student at NIU, I also had the privilege of working for the United States Attorney’s Office in Chicago, the Appellate Defender’s Office in Ottawa, and various state and federal judges. Following law school, I served for two years as law clerk to the Honorable P. Michael Mahoney of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
My objectives include networking with others and building my practice.
Practice areas
16 years
16 years
16 years
16 years
16 years
16 years
16 years
16 years
16 years
16 years
16 years
Languages spoken
English
120 West State St. Suite 400
Rockford, IL, 61101-1159
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
WI | Good Standing | 2014 | 05/28/2022 |
IL | Active And Authorized To Practice Law | 2006 | 06/13/2022 |
Legal answers | 4 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
Emerging Lawyer | Leading Lawyers | 2018 |
40 Leaders Under 40 award | Rockford Chamber of Commerce | 2017 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Equity Partner | WilliamsMcCarthy LLP | 2008 - Present |
Judicial Law Clerk | United States District Court, N.D. Illinois | 2006 - 2008 |
711 licensed legal intern | United States Attorney's Office, Northern District Illinois | 2005 - 2005 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Federal Bar Association, P. Michael Mahoney Chapter | Director | 2018 - Present |
Wisc. Bar. Assoc. Intellectual Property and Technology Section Board | Chair of annual IP Academy in Door County | 2016 - Present |
Winnebago County Bar Association | 2006 - Present |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
Northern Illinois University College of Law | JD - Juris Doctor | 2006 |
Elmhurst College | BA - Bachelor of Arts | 2002 |
Oxford University | Honors Program, Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies | 2002 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Trial / Appellate CLE | Copyright litigation, including insurance coverage for copyright claims, defenses, burdens of proof and damages | 2016 |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
Driveline v. Arctic Cat | Client won and was awarded its attorney’s fees as a prevailing party under the Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C. § 505, after having defeated an $11 million dollar claim on summary judgment. |
Williams v. Boone County | After trying a week-long wrongful death jury trial with his partner, Jim Devine, the jury exonerated the firm’s client of any wrongdoing, despite plaintiff’s request for a $12,500,000 award from the jury. |
Garza v. Com Ed, et al. | Summary Judgment for my client. |
Oldendorf v. Buckeye | Second chaired a jury trial with my partner, John Holevas, which ultimately exonerated the firm’s client of any wrongdoing, despite plaintiff’s request of over $4 million in damages. |
Marina Bay v. C.H. Robinson | Summary Judgment for my client. |
Posted by anonymous
September 18, 2018
Posted by Dan
March 23, 2018
Posted by Greg
November 6, 2015
Posted by Amy
October 21, 2015
Tyler Slack, Litigation Attorney on Feb 17, 2019
Relationship: Co-worker
I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Huotari is an experienced practitioner in both State and Federal courts. He is highly skilled in advising and representing both individuals and businesses facing compex legal matters.
Rodney Kimes, Litigation Attorney on Jul 6, 2018
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
I endorse this lawyer. Joel is a very professional and skilled attorney.
Tyler Slack, Litigation Attorney on Feb 17, 2019
Relationship: Co-worker
I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Huotari is an experienced practitioner in both State and Federal courts. He is highly skilled in advising and representing both individuals and businesses facing compex legal matters.
Rodney Kimes, Litigation Attorney on Jul 6, 2018
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
I endorse this lawyer. Joel is a very professional and skilled attorney.
Nathan Noble, Litigation Attorney on Nov 11, 2015
Relationship: Worked together on matter
Mr. Huotari is a very knowledgeable lawyer who gets results for his clients. He has a deep litigation skill set in both Federal and State Court. As a detail person, he leaves no legal stone unturned. I have had the pleasure of working with and against him multiple times. He has always proved and worthy ally and foe. Highly Recommended
Cash, Check, Credit Card