KOZACKY & WEITZEL, P.C. concentrates its practice on commercial, transportation and admiralty contracts and the disputes arising therefrom in Illinois courts and federal courts throughout the United States. The firm opened its doors in January, 1997 when Paul J. Kozacky left his practice at McDermott, Will & Emery to continue to provide high quality
pre-litigation consultation, trial and appellate practices for his clients. Jerome Weitzel became a named partner in 2005, and the firm changed it's name to Kozacky & Weitzel, P.C. The firm has since grown to meet the demands of repeat clients and the frequent referral of new clients.

Since its inception, the firm has successfully prosecuted substantial claims
in a wide variety of matters, such as international trade and personal jurisdiction issues, Uniform Commercial Code claims for wrongfully refused steel millwork or specialty fittings, actions on the price, claims involving irregularities in the disposition of collateral, property damage to iron, steel or machinery shipments, breach of warranty claims for defective roofing services, fiduciary duty claims, construction project mismanagement, insurance coverage, subcontractor and brokerage liens, collection actions, securities litigation and bankruptcy litigation.

The firm vigorously has defended numerous clients on matters across a broad spectrum, including claims related to commercial real estate brokerage fees, fraud, wrongful death, contracts to make a will, spoliation of evidence, fire damage, shipbuilding services, property damage, foreclosure, loan commitments, employee wages, restrictive covenants, personal guarantees, piercing the corporate veil and enforcement of judgments.

In addition to the firm’s significant experience in the field of commercial litigation, Kozacky & Weitzel , P.C. advises some of the Midwest’s largest shippers on their transportation and related agreements with motor, rail and water carriers such as standard motor carriage agreements, bills of lading, and contracts to charter barge flotillas or ocean-going vessels. The firm also has substantial experience with transportation related litigation, such as claims for cargo damage, non-payment of freight, deadfreight, indemnity, repatriation of deserters, personal injury or union claims for stevedoring services allegedly provided.

The firm has been designated the correspondent attorneys for the Norwegian protection and indemnity club Assuranceforeningen Gard in the Port of Chicago and frequently handles allision, arbitration, freight, cargo damage and personal injury claims for some of the world’s largest fleets in three Great Lakes and the Upper Mississippi and Ohio River basins. The firm also has arrested and attached vessels and cargoes for non-payment of freight or property damage throughout the United States, and advises numerous clients on their marine affairs.