When a Contract Is Broken, the Fight Has Already Started
Your counterparty stopped performing. Or they're claiming the contract means something it doesn't. Or a third party moved in and disrupted a deal you built over months. Whatever happened, the business relationship is fractured — and the question now is whether you fight for what you're owed or absorb the loss.
At The Law Offices of Haytham Faraj, we represent businesses and individuals in Chicago and throughout Illinois in contract disputes, unfair competition matters, Civil RICO claims, and tortious interference cases. We handle the full dispute lifecycle — from pre-litigation strategy through arbitration, mediation, and jury or bench trial when the case demands it.
Our lead attorney has tried more than 80 civil and criminal jury and bench trials across federal, state, and military courts. We have taken commercial disputes to verdict, including a $2.2 million breach of contract verdict in Washington D.C. for a small veteran-owned business against a large multinational security company. We don't just threaten trial. We go.
The Real Cost of a Contract Dispute Is Not Just the Damages
Every week a breach goes unresolved, the leverage shifts. Evidence goes stale. Witnesses become unavailable. The counterparty's legal team — often well-resourced — builds its narrative while yours waits.
Most commercial litigation firms settle because going to trial is expensive and uncertain for attorneys who rarely do it. That creates a structural problem: when your lawyer's default position is settlement, opposing counsel knows it. Settlement mills get settlement offers. Trial-ready firms get trial-ready respect — and better outcomes at every stage of the dispute.
Smart business owners and referring attorneys know this. That's why the question isn't just "who handles contract disputes" — it's "who will actually go to trial if this case demands it?"
We will.
What Trial-Ready Representation Looks Like for Chicago Businesses
We prepare every commercial matter as if it will reach a jury. That preparation discipline produces two results: stronger settlement leverage at the negotiation table, and a fully built case if the matter proceeds to trial.
Our lead attorney, Haytham Faraj, is licensed in Illinois and has deep familiarity with Cook County courts and the Northern District of Illinois federal court. He is a graduate and faculty member of the Gerry Spence Method — a trial advocacy program founded by one of America's most recognized trial lawyers. His background as a U.S. Marine Corps Judge Advocate, where he defended service members in high-profile war crimes cases, forged a preparation standard that most commercial litigators never develop.
For referring attorneys: we operate as transparent co-counsel. You remain informed at every stage. Your client relationship is protected. Referral fees are handled with the same integrity we bring to the courtroom.
Chicago Contract Dispute Practice Areas
Contract Disputes and Breach of Contract
When a counterparty fails to perform — or performs in a way that falls short of what the contract requires — you have a right to enforce it. We represent businesses in breach of contract claims across all commercial contexts: supply agreements, service contracts, professional engagements, real estate transactions, and employment arrangements.
We evaluate every matter for the fastest path to resolution consistent with your business objectives. Where early resolution is achievable, we pursue it efficiently. Where the counterparty is entrenched, we build for trial.
What this means for your business: You enter any negotiation backed by an attorney opposing counsel knows will take the case to verdict. That posture produces better settlement offers — and a fully prepared courtroom case if the matter escalates.
Unfair Competition
Every business operates on the assumption that competitors will play by the rules. When a competitor uses illegal tactics — misappropriation of trade secrets, deceptive practices, tortious interference with your customer relationships, or predatory pricing schemes designed to eliminate competition — the harm is real and often rapid.
We represent businesses in unfair competition claims in Illinois courts and federal court. We understand the intersection of contract law, trade regulation, and business tort doctrine that governs these matters.
What this means for your business: A firm that understands both the commercial and litigation dimensions of unfair competition can move quickly to stop the harm and build a damages case simultaneously.
Civil RICO Claims
Civil RICO claims — brought under 18 U.S.C. Section 1962 — are among the most powerful tools available to businesses harmed by organized fraudulent schemes. They are also among the most technically demanding. Courts scrutinize RICO pleadings closely, and weak cases get dismissed early.
We are experienced in prosecuting and defending Civil RICO claims in federal court. We understand the predicate act requirements, enterprise pleading standards, and the pattern of racketeering activity doctrine that governs these cases. We have handled matters involving fraud, wire fraud, mail fraud, and extortion as RICO predicates.
What this means for your business: RICO's treble damages and fee-shifting provisions make it a significant lever in the right case. We evaluate whether your facts support a viable RICO claim and prosecute it with the same rigor we bring to every federal matter.
Tortious Interference with Contract
Contracts depend on the independence of the parties who made them. When a third party deliberately disrupts a valid contractual relationship — convincing a vendor to breach, poaching a key employee in violation of a non-compete, or interfering with a business acquisition — that interference is actionable.
We identify, build, and prosecute tortious interference claims. We understand the elements required under Illinois law: a valid contract, the defendant's knowledge of it, intentional inducement of breach, actual breach, and resulting damages.
What this means for your business: Third parties who disrupt your contracts are not beyond accountability. We bring the same trial-ready preparation to tortious interference matters that we bring to every commercial dispute.
$2.2 million
Breach of contract verdict, Washington D.C. veteran-owned small business vs. large multinational security company
80+
Jury and bench trials tried across federal, state, and military courts
5 jurisdictions
Licensed in California, Illinois, Michigan, Iowa, and Washington D.C.
$100M+
Cumulative client recoveries across civil rights, personal injury, wrongful death, and commercial matters
For Referring Attorneys: Co-Counsel for Illinois Commercial Disputes
If you have a client with a contract dispute, Civil RICO matter, or unfair competition claim in Illinois — and the case needs trial-ready representation you don't have in-house — we work as transparent co-counsel.
Here is how it works:
Case review within 24 hours
We assess the matter and provide an honest evaluation.
Transparent co-counsel agreement
Clear referral fee structure, no surprises.
Your client relationship is protected
We never contact your client without your knowledge. You remain counsel of record if desired.
Regular updates
You are informed at every significant development. You are never chasing us for information.
Trial preparation or resolution
We prepare every matter for trial. If the case resolves, it resolves from a position of strength.
We serve as local counsel for out-of-state plaintiffs and defendants in Illinois state and federal courts, including Cook County and the Northern District of Illinois.
Frequently Asked Questions: Chicago Contract Disputes
What constitutes a breach of contract under Illinois law?
A breach occurs when one party fails to perform a material obligation under a valid contract without legal excuse. Illinois courts evaluate whether the breach was material — meaning it goes to the essence of the agreement — or minor, which affects damages but may not excuse the non-breaching party's performance obligations.
How long do I have to file a breach of contract claim in Illinois?
For written contracts, Illinois provides a 10-year statute of limitations. For oral contracts, the period is 5 years. However, waiting reduces the quality of evidence available. Early engagement produces better outcomes.
Do I have to go to court, or can this be resolved through arbitration or mediation?
Many commercial contracts include mandatory arbitration or mediation clauses. We evaluate your contract's dispute resolution provisions and advise on the most cost-efficient path. Where arbitration or mediation is required, we represent you through that process. Where litigation is required, we are prepared for it.
What damages can I recover for a breach of contract?
Illinois allows recovery of direct damages — the benefit of the bargain — as well as consequential damages that were foreseeable at the time of contracting. In some cases, attorney fees are recoverable under the contract itself or applicable statute. Civil RICO claims allow treble damages.
I'm an out-of-state business being sued in Illinois. Can you serve as local counsel?
Yes. We regularly serve as local counsel for out-of-state plaintiffs and defendants in Illinois courts, including Cook County Circuit Court and the Northern District of Illinois. We handle local procedure, court relationships, and coordination with your primary counsel.
What makes this firm different from other Chicago commercial litigation firms?
Most commercial litigation firms settle the majority of their cases. Our lead attorney has tried more than 80 jury and bench trials. Opposing counsel knows the difference. That trial record produces stronger outcomes at every stage — settlement, arbitration, or verdict.
Discuss Your Chicago Contract Dispute
If your business is facing a contract dispute, breach of contract claim, Civil RICO matter, or unfair competition issue in Illinois, we are ready to evaluate your case.
We review every matter and provide an honest assessment. If we take your case, we prepare it for trial from day one — because that preparation is what produces results.
Need a Consultation? We Are Here to Help You!
Feel free to contact us to schedule a consultation.