Constantine John (“Chris”) Gekas concentrates his practice on the preparation and trial of cases in a wide variety of substantive areas. Among Chris’ greatest strengths is his ability to break down complicated legal issues and relay them to judges and juries in a sensible, straightforward manner.
A veteran trial lawyer, Chris has tried over 60 jury trials to verdict and he has handled countless other contested non-jury evidentiary hearings and trials before federal, state, administrative, arbitration and mediation tribunals.
Chris is also an experienced appellate advocate, having briefed and argued over 40 appeals in federal and state appellate courts across the country. Among his notable victories isWalters v. Metropolitan Educational Enterprises, Inc., 519 U.S. 202 (1997), in which the United States Supreme Court determined the jurisdictional reach of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
In addition to his litigation practice, Chris regularly advises clients on a variety of transactional matters, including business, real estate and other types of contract negotiations and pre-and post employment negotiations for employers and high level executives and employees.
Prior to founding Gekas Law LLP, Chris gained a breadth of experience working in both the public and private sectors, including as the managing partner of a law firm, an Assistant United States Attorney, and as Regional Counsel for the United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission Division of Enforcement. His public service also includes an appointment as an Associate Counsel to the Committee on the Judiciary of the U.S. House of Representatives and as Counsel to the 1974 Impeachment Inquiry of President Richard M. Nixon.
Chris is rated AV by Martindale-Hubbell’s peer review rating system, the highest rating available.
REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE
Trial counsel for commodity broker in action by CFTC on various violations of Commodity Exchange Act
Representation of commodity/options brokerage house in major dispute with large international trading customer over violations of trading limits and forced liquidation
Representation of individual investors in insider trading investigation by the S.E.C.
Defense of medical products manufacturer in patent infringement action
Trial counsel for individual plaintiff asserting Americans With Disabilities Act claim against the Chicago Board of Education
Representation of Vice President of Sales of hospital products manufacturer in breach of contract dispute
Representation of hi-tech medical products manufacturer in arbitration against former regional sales manager in non-competition dispute
Trial counsel for ownership in construction and breach of contract dispute in the Circuit Court of Cook County
Regularly advise employers and high level employees on employment and executive compensation issues
Representation of a developer in real estate acquisitions, development and sales for commercial and residential real estate
Representation of manufacturer of high end hospital diagnostic scanning equipment against former officers on trade secrets and non-competition
Representation of hospital equipment manufacturer in breach of contract arbitration against distributor
Walters v. Metropolitan Education Enterprises, 519 U.S. 202 (1997): Successfully briefed and argued case before US Supreme Court defining jurisdictional reach of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.