Our practice opens in January 2027.
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WHERE WE SERVE
Evanston
An Evanston business and insurance lawyer for downtown firms, Northwestern-connected startups, nonprofits, and the landlords and retailers who keep the city moving.
BUSINESS DISPUTES · INSURANCE COVERAGE
Business Litigation and Insurance Coverage in Evanston
Evanston has one of the most varied economies on the North Shore. Downtown is the world headquarters of Rotary International and home to firms such as ZS Associates and Magnetar Capital, with more than 24,000 people working in the city center. Northwestern University anchors a growing startup community, and The Garage, its student incubator, was named the top university incubator in the country in 2026. Main Street, Central Street, and the blocks around Davis add independent retailers, restaurants, and rental buildings.
Allison Cho Law is a business litigation and insurance recovery firm serving Evanston companies, founders, nonprofits, landlords, and professional practices. We handle co-founder and ownership disputes, technology and service contracts, nonprofit D&O questions, and the property and business interruption claims that commercial buildings generate. Our office is a short drive away in Northbrook.
Startups move fast, and their early paperwork often lags behind. Founder agreements, IP assignments, vendor and software contracts, and investor terms decide who owns what when a company grows or a founder moves on, and settling them early keeps a young company focused on building.
The new Ryan Field, which opened in October 2026, is bringing football weekends, community events, and eventually concerts to Central Street. Event days mean more business for nearby restaurants and shops, along with new vendor, sponsorship, and event contracts that are worth getting right.
Matters We Handle for Evanston Clients
Business litigation and insurance recovery for Evanston companies, founders, nonprofits, and landlords.
Owner and Partner Disputes
Founder and co-owner conflicts in startups, restaurants, and professional practices.
Contract and Vendor Disputes
Breached agreements and technology and service contracts for downtown and campus-area businesses.
Build-Out and Renovation
Tenant build-outs and renovations in older commercial buildings, including disputes over defects, delay, and payment.
D&O and Professional Liability
Claims against nonprofit boards, officers, and professional firms, and coverage fights over them.
Duty to Defend
Lawsuits against landlords, retailers, and service businesses where the insurer won’t defend.
Property and Business Interruption Claims
Water, fire, and business interruption claims for downtown storefronts and rental buildings.
Where Evanston Cases Are Heard
Cook County: Skokie Courthouse
Cases from Evanston are usually filed at the Second Municipal District courthouse, 5600 Old Orchard Rd., Skokie. Downtown Evanston is a short drive from the courthouse.
WHERE CASES GO
Civil damages claims up to $100,000
Law Division cases above $100,000
Many chancery matters heard downtown
Federal Court
Disputes between parties from different states, including many coverage suits against out-of-state insurers, may be filed in or moved to federal court in Chicago.
WHAT TO KNOW
Northern District of Illinois
Dirksen U.S. Courthouse, Chicago
Diversity cases above $75,000
Coverage suits with out-of-state insurers
EVANSTON / Q&A
Frequently asked questions
Which court handles a business dispute in Evanston?
Our landlord and our business disagree over who pays for water damage. Where do we start?
Our restaurant is near Ryan Field. What should we look for in event-day vendor or sponsorship contracts?
Does our nonprofit’s D&O policy cover employment claims?
Our co-founder left and took our code. What can we do?
WHERE WE SERVE / EVANSTON
Start with the matter at hand.
Whether it’s a lease, a co-founder, or a claim your insurer is slow to pay, a focused first conversation can clarify your options and deadlines.
Schedule a Consultation
FROM OUR INSIGHTS
Related Insights
D&O policies commonly exclude lawsuits brought by one insured against another, which can leave co-owners without coverage when they sue each other. The exclusion doesn’t require proof of collusion in Illinois, but exceptions for former officers, derivative suits, and bankruptcy trustees, along with mixed-plaintiff lawsuits, can preserve coverage.
ALLISONCHOLAW / BUSINESS LITIGATION & COUNSEL