I retained, Attorney Joel Huotari of WilliamsMcCarthy law firm, for what turned out to be a challenging and lengthy civil case. From our first meeting, he explained everything to me in terms I could easily understand and was always very responsive when I had questions. Joel is an exceptional attorney, who handled my legal matters with the professionalism, integrity, and responsiveness that attains results. He provided sound guidance and devised a strategy that ultimately ended in a positive outcome. He truly cared about my feelings and was very supportive during this emotional time. A kinder. more dedicated attorney will be hard to find, if not impossible. Joel is an attorney you can always depend on.
I would highly recommend this firm, and more specifically, Attorney Joel M. Huotari, if you're looking for a superior litigation attorney who brings top-notch expertise to the table. My gratitude to him will last a lifetime!
Joel defended me in a defamation case which featured additional claims under the Illinois Right of Publicity Act, 765 ILCS 1075/1 and allegations of intentional infliction of emotional distress. He succeeded in getting the case dismissed, and won a ruling that the plaintiff committed which ruling was upheld on appeal.
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.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Civil Litigation
I retained, Attorney Joel Huotari of WilliamsMcCarthy law firm, for what turned out to be a challenging and lengthy civil case. From our first meeting, he explained everything to me in terms I could easily understand and was always very responsive when I had questions. Joel is an exceptional attorney, who handled my legal matters with the professionalism, integrity, and responsiveness that attains results. He provided sound guidance and devised a strategy that ultimately ended in a positive outcome. He truly cared about my feelings and was very supportive during this emotional time. A kinder. more dedicated attorney will be hard to find, if not impossible. Joel is an attorney you can always depend on.
I would highly recommend this firm, and more specifically, Attorney Joel M. Huotari, if you're looking for a superior litigation attorney who brings top-notch expertise to the table. My gratitude to him will last a lifetime!
Read less
Posted by anonymous | September 18, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Defamation Case
Joel defended me in a defamation case which featured additional claims under the Illinois Right of Publicity Act, 765 ILCS 1075/1 and allegations of intentional infliction of emotional distress. He succeeded in getting the case dismissed, and won a ruling that the plaintiff committed which ruling was upheld on appeal.
Posted by Dan | March 23, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Awesome Experience
In the middle of a multi-year intellectual property dispute we were referred to Joel. His expertise and attention to detail were vital to getting our case resolved.
Posted by Greg | November 6, 2015
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Great Support for Unsuccessful Datamation Case Against Me
A Roscoe, IL heating and air conditioning contractor tried to unsuccessfully sue me for defamation after we won a small claims court case (breach of contract related) against him. Joel did a great job for us during the whole legal process that led to the dismissal with prejudice. It was our first time using the court system in this way and we appreciated the education that Joel provided at each step.
Read less
Posted by Amy | October 21, 2015
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Joel Huotari successfully defended contract action for us
We retained Joel to defend a contract action filed against our company. Joel was everything you want in a lawyer: smart, responsive, concise. He understood that our company does not make money in litigation.
Cost
Rates
Hourly Rates
$ 270-400 per hour
Payment methods
Cash, Check, Credit Card
Resume
AVVO RATING
9.6
(Superb)
Avvo Rating
Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.
What determines Avvo Rating?
Experience & background
Years licensed, work experience, education
Legal community recognition
Peer endorsements, associations, awards
Legal thought leadership
Publications, speaking engagements
Discipline
Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
United States Attorney's Office, Northern District Illinois
2005 - 2005
Education
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
Legal Cases
Breach of fiduciary duty case
Won a judgment for $3,482,007
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.
Litigation Attorney | Feb 17
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."
Litigation Attorney | Nov 11
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"