Robert S. Markin has been advising clients in connection with complex litigation, construction matters, regulatory disputes, and government affairs issues for over 25 years. His clients have included large utilities, major accounting firms, market leaders in the airline, transportation, healthcare, education services, and manufacturing industries, a wide array of developers, and several  architectural, engineering, contracting and consulting firms.

Litigation - Mr. Markin has represented clients in hundreds of litigation matters, including class actions, employment disputes, complicated contract disputes, and real estate and land use disputes. He has tried cases in Illinois, Indiana and Florida, has briefed and argued several federal and state court appeals, and has represented clients in dozens of arbitrations and mediations.

Construction - Mr. Markin leads Chico & Nunes' construction practice.  He has represented developers, architects, engineers, contractors, consulting firms and other clients in bid preparation, contract negotiations, bid protests, mechanics lien claims and civil litigation involving construction disputes.

Regulatory and Government Affairs - Mr. Markin's wide-ranging regulatory and government affairs practice has involved interactions with legislative, administrative and regulatory bodies in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois and on the federal level on behalf of a wide array of businesses.

Beginning in 1995, Mr. Markin served as General Counsel and Chief of Staff for the Chicago Board of Education. Mr. Markin was the Board's first General Counsel following passage of the landmark amendments to the Illinois School Code. The Illinois School Code charged Mayor Richard M. Daley and a newly appointed Board of Trustees, chaired by Gery Chico, with improving the nation's third largest school system. At the Board, Mr. Markin oversaw all legal affairs of the school system, and as Chief of Staff was the principal liaison between the Board and senior management.

Litigation Representative Matters

                 Class Actions

• Represented utilities in purported class action cases in Illinois circuit courts
• Defended national health care insurer in class action alleging overcharges
  
• Represented international conglomerate in multiple class actions arising out of allegedly tainted food products
  

Complicated Contract Disputes

• Represented international accounting firm in civil suits and arbitrations arising out of tax advice
• Lead counsel for major telecommunications carrier in action arising out of purchase of network integration company
• Represented airline in litigation over contract to provide flight training services

Employment Related Disputes

• Represented medical center in employment litigation
• Represented Community College District in employment litigation
• Represented multiple employers in non-compete and trade secrets litigation

Real Estate and Land Use Disputes

• Counsel for a city in landmark case raising constitutional challenges to the city's historic district designation
• Lead counsel for a major hotel developer in a multimillion dollar action involving breach of annexation/incentives agreement
• Lead counsel for townhome developer in dispute involving $40 million development

Construction Representative Matters

• Represented multiple consultants, contractors and professional service firms in bid preparation and negotiation of government contracts
• Represented general contractors in bid protests
• Represented contractors and professional service firms in mechanics lien cases
• Represented airline in arbitration relating to defective design of baggage handling system
• Represented clients in prosecuting and resolving construction claims

Regulatory and Government Affairs Representative Matters

• Represented major rental car company in federal, state and local regulatory and government relations issues
• Represented architects, engineers and contractors in regulatory and government affairs issues
• Represented private K12 and higher education companies in government relations and regulatory advice at federal, state and local levels
• Represented developers in negotiation of Redevelopment Agreements for downtown Chicago projects and related compliance
• Represented major airline in legislative drafting, government contract negotiation and government relations counseling

Admissions
   

• Illinois  
  

Memberships, Civic and Charitable
     

• Chicago Bar Association
• American Bar Association
• Mt. Sinai Health System
• Chicago Scholars

Education
    

• J.D. Georgetown University Law Center (magna cum laude) 1984
• B.A. Brown University 1981