Dominick L. Lanzito

Dominick Lanzito concentrates his practice in federal litigation, employment litigation, class action litigation, insurance regulatory law, civil rights, and acts as general counsel for municipalities. Prior to joining PJM, Dominick was a partner at mid-sized litigation firm. Dominick also served as an Assistant State’s Attorney for the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, gaining experience in torts and civil rights litigation, as well as in criminal prosecution and criminal appeals.

During his service as an Assistant State’s Attorney, Dominick conducted approximately 150 bench trials on behalf of the state. He also has tried several matters to jury verdict, both in state and federal courts.

His litigation experience includes complex state and federal litigation, as well as dispositive motions and appeals. Notably, Dominick has successfully defeated class action and injunctive claims in several matters. He is a member of the Trial Bar for the Northern District of Illinois and the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals.

Apart from litigation, Dominick counsels multiple private and public corporations with their various legal needs. A significant portion of his practice includes the handling of regulatory matters for his clients. His representation of insurance companies before the various state departments of insurance, including administrative matters. Dominick advises various carriers as to their regulatory compliance matters, including the sale and/or acquisition of insurance companies, which require regulatory approval. Additionally, he has represented public utilities before the Illinois Commerce Commission and has represented his clients before the Illinois General Assembly during subject matter hearings.

While attending the John Marshall Law School, Dominick served as Staff Editor and Executive Board Member for the Journal of Computer and Information Law.

Representative Cases

Seventh Circuit
Davy Cady v. Michael Sheahan, et. al. 04-3518- Successfully argued before the 7th Circuit in defense of Sheriff Michael Sheahan and several members of the Cook County Sheriff’s Police Department. Appellant alleged that the manner in which the police officers performed an investigatory stop of him in front of a courthouse amounted to an unreasonable search in violation of his 4th amendment rights.

Federal Litigation

Bradley v. University Park, et al., 15 cv 8489, Norther District of Illinois.  Obtained summary judgment on behalf of the Village and the former mayor in a due process wrongful termination lawsuit, after multiple years of litigation.

Shane Lyberger, et al., v. Officer Scott Snider, et al., 19 cv 369, Southern District of Illinois.  Plaintiffs were a group of individuals who considered themselves First Amendment Auditors.  Essentially, they would attempt to interact with the police and then sue the police for alleged constitutional violations, which they had done successfully in the past. We successfully obtained summary judgment on behalf of Officer Snider as to all of plaintiffs’ federal and state law claims. Plaintiffs appealed to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, where the matter is pending.

Sally Gaetjens v. City of Loves Park, et al., 16 cv 50261, Northern District of Illinois, Western Division. This matter was brought by plaintiff for alleged constitutional violations stemming from a warrantless search of plaintiff’s home during exigent circumstances, the condemnation of her home following the search of the home and the confiscation of her exotic cats. Following discovery, we obtained summary judgment in favor of our municipal defendants. Plaintiff appealed to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, where the decision was affirmed. Plaintiff has now filed a Writ of Certiorari to the U.S. Supreme Court which is pending.

The Beloved Church, et al., v. Governor Pritzker, et al., 20 cv 50153, Northern District of Illinois, Western Division.  Our firm defeated a Motion for a Temporary Restraining Order and Preliminary injunction on behalf of the Village of Lena, Illinois and its police chief.  Plaintiffs were challenging the constitutionality of the Governor’s Executive Orders during the pandemic.  The matter was dismissed by the District Court and then the matter was affirmed by the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals.

DeShazo v. Baneski, et al., 14 C 5139 – Obtained summary judgment on behalf of all of the defendants in a civil rights action brought by the estate of an arrestee who hanged himself in a holding cell.

Weiler v. Village of Oak Lawn, et al., 14 C 4991 – Obtained summary judgment in favor of defendants in an employment action, in which Plaintiff alleged that he was terminated from the Village in retaliation for his political association and Whistleblower statements.

Norris v. Hometown, et al., 15 C 4692 – Obtained summary judgment in favor of defendant in a case where Plaintiff alleging wrongful termination, denial of due process and a violation of his occupational liberty rights, after he was terminated after an on-duty shooting. 

Dyson v. Officer Valente, 12 C 7632 – Obtained a jury verdict in favor of the defendant officer. Plaintiff was alleging that the officer selectively enforced the law against him and arrested him without probable cause.

Egonmwan v. Cook County Sheriff’s Department et. al., 06 C 4764 and Swearnigen v. Cook County Sheriff’s Department, et. al., 05 C 1493 – Obtained summary judgment in two cases alleging malicious prosecution, racial and sexual harassment and violation of two Cook County Jail correctional officers’ First Amendment rights by the Cook County Sheriff and various Jail administrators.

Briggs v. Hargrett, et. al. 02 C 4917- Obtained a not guilty verdict following a jury trial in favor of three correctional officers that were alleged to have used excessive force against the plaintiff.

Thompson v. County of Cook, et. al., 03 C 7172- Defended the County of Cook and the Cook County Sheriff against allegations that the STD testing and strip search policies were unconstitutional. Obtained a jury verdict in favor of the County of Cook and the Cook County Sheriff as to all counts.

State of Illinois Circuit Court

Proven Business Systems, LLC v. Village of Oak Lawn, et al., 22 L 2363- Obtained dismissal of a breach of contract claim brought by the plaintiff against a municipality and the village manager.

Tock, et al., v. Village of Stone Park, 21 CH 5781, Circuit Court of Cook County. Obtained dismissal of a putative class action alleging due process violations against the Village. The lawsuit emanated from the Village’s use of a redlight camera ticketing system.

Casamento v. James Page (Village of Bull Valley), 15 LA 396, Twenty-Second Judicial Circuit, McHenry County. This was a false arrest case involving the Chief of Police for the Village of Bull Valley. After a jury trial, our firm obtained a defense verdict when the plaintiff previously demanded more than seven figures to resolve the matter.

Bartkowiak v. City of Aurora, 12 L 119 – Obtained a jury verdict in favor of the City of Aurora. Plaintiff tripped and fell in a parking lot owned by the City and suffered serious injuries requiring multiple surgeries.

Notable Transactional Matters

Successfully completed the sale of municipally owned transmission lines to an investor owned utility. The transaction was valued at approximately $20,000,000.00 and involved two publicly traded utility companies and required hearings before the Illinois Commerce Commission and two subject matter hearings before the Illinois General Assembly. 

Served as lead counsel for a medical health care provider and captive reinsurance company in an asset purchase agreement and stock purchase agreement. The transaction involved regulatory approval with state and federal regulatory agencies.