Shari is a native Chicagoan. She graduated from the University of Illinois with a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work. She received her law degree, with Honors, from DePaul University College of Law in 1986. Shari was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1986, and is also admitted to practice before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, the U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Central Districts of Illinois, and the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana. During her career, Shari has been active in various professional and service organizations, including the Propeller Club of the United States, Port of Chicago (Secretary, 2003-2006), the Illinois State Bar Association, the Maritime Law Association of the United States, the National Marine Bankers Association, the Recreational Boating and Marine Lending Network of Attorneys, the National Association of Women Business Owners, the Chicago Volunteer Legal Services Foundation, and the Illinois Public Defender Pro Bono Appeals.
Practice Areas: Shari is a civil litigation attorney. She practices extensively in the areas of commercial litigation and admiralty and maritime law. Her practice in commercial law involves litigation and resolution of business disputes for individuals, companies and entities of all sizes, and includes, but is not limited to, contract matters and products liability issues. Shari's practice in admiralty and maritime law includes the defense of Jones Act cases, maritime personal injury cases, Limitation of Liability actions, and the representation of barge lines. She also focuses her practice on marine finance matters, representing marine and non-marine lenders, entities and individuals in the sale and purchase of marine assets, and in vessel repossession and foreclosure. Shari also handles matters involving insurance law and personal injury arising from both maritime and non-maritime incidents.
Notable Cases:
Jerome B. Grubart, Inc. v. Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Co., 513 U.S. 527 (1995). Prepared and filed an amicus brief in U.S. Supreme Court regarding maritime jurisdiction over the Chicago tunnel flood litigation.
Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. v. Calhoun, 519 U.S. 199 (1996). Prepared and filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Supreme Court for the Maritime Law Association on issue of maritime tort remedies for pleasure craft.
Provident Savings Bank v. Popovich, 71 F.3d 696, 1996 A.M.C. 1101 (7th Cir. 1996). Judgment in favor of marine banking client affirmed on appeal against guarantor of ship mortgage.
NDK Crystal v. Engineered Pressure Systems, Inc, Case No. 07 cv 50057, Northern District of Illinois, Western Division (2009). Favorable settlement of multi-million dollar lawsuit for third party defendant manufacturer of component part for large crystal-making vessels, based on limitations of liability under contractual documents.
Canal Barge Company, Inc. v. Commonwealth Edison Company, No. 98 C 0509 (N.D. Ill. 2002). Trial of a breach of contract action on behalf of barge owner against utility for the repair and maintenance cost of a fleet of 56 barges that were used to transport coal during the course of a twenty-year transportation contract in which the barge owner was awarded damages of $1,341,963.72, plus prejudgment interest in the amount of $347,996.66. Decisions arising from the case: 2002 WL 1264002 - Denial of defendant's motion for summary judgment on claim for barge repair expenses under barge transportation contract; 2002 WL 206054 - The right of a plaintiff to amend the complaint to assert admiralty jurisdiction and the right to a jury trial under admiralty law; 2001 WL 845468 - The right to depose an expert witness who was retained prior to litigation; 2001 WL 817853 - Duty of a corporation to produce a deponent under Rule 30(b)(6) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
U.S. & International Travel & Tours, Inc. v. Tarom-S.A., S.C. Compania Nationala de Transporturi Aeriene Romane d/b/a Romanian Air Transport, 98 F.Supp.2d 979 (N.D. Ill. 2000). Order in favor of foreign airline client confirming award in arbitration in Romania in claim for accounting services.
Carefree Cartage, Inc. v. "K" LINE d/b/a "K" Line America, Inc., International Transportation Service, Inc., and Husky Terminal and Stevedoring, Inc., 2006 WL 3227892 (N.D. Ill. 2006). Dismissal for lack of personal jurisdiction granted in favor of clients port operator and lessee for damaged shipment entering the United States through the Port of Tacoma, Washington.
Skipper Bud's of Chicago, Inc. v. Diedrick, 2009 WL 424404 (N.D. Ill. 2009). Summary judgment in favor of marine client that sold a yacht to defendant secured by a ship mortgage, for a $1.2 million deficiency judgment after a foreclosure sale, plus attorney's fees and costs.
Articles, Speeches and Presentations:
"Admiralty Jurisdiction and Recreational Craft Personal Injury Issues," Tulane Law Review, Vol. 68, Nos. 2 & 3 (1994) (with Warren J. Marwedel)
"Admiralty Jurisdiction and the Great Lakes," The University of Toledo Law Review, Vol. 24, No. 2 (1993) (with Warren J. Marwedel)
Speaker, National Marine Bankers Association, Marine Lending Conference, December, 2007; Vessel Foreclosures and Repossessions
Observer, Uniform Law Commission Drafting Committee, Uniform Certificate of Title for Vessels Act (2009-2010).
