Experience

Barton LLP

• United States
• Law Practice
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Of Counsel and Chicago Office

  • May 2021 - Present

  Of Counsel and Chicago office of NY based Barton, LLP. Litigation strategy, governance, trials and appeals, antitrust, labor, executive compensation, insurance, patents, trademarks, trade secrets, US and international. Regulated industries, transportation, utilities, technology. Adjunct general counsel services and seamless integration with in-house legal staff and executives. Of Counsel and Chicago office of NY based Barton, LLP. Litigation strategy, governance, trials and appeals, antitrust, labor, executive compensation, insurance, patents, trademarks, trade secrets, US and international. Regulated industries, transportation, utilities, technology. Adjunct general counsel services and seamless integration with in-house legal staff and executives.



James D. Benak Attorney LLC

• Founder and Member

  • Oct 2008 - Present

  Law practice focused on providing strategic legal advice and counsel to transportation, utility and other regulated industries, and manufacturing companies. Practice includes acting as adjunct general counsel to public and private companies and associations, including trials and appeals of significant business cases, US and international litigation, regulatory, labor, insurance coverage, patent and trade secret infringement, software piracy and fraud cases. Industry focus in transportation technology, including aviation, rail and high-speed rail. Recruited and led team of senior executives to form a transportation development company focused on integrated multi-mode transportation and logistics solutions, with emphasis on development of integrated, efficient, comfortable, green transportation of passengers, and just in time, green transportation of parcels and freight. Show less



Tetzlaff Law Offices LLC

• 227 West Monroe Street Suite 3650, Chicago, IL 60606

• Co-Founder and Partner

  • May 2012 - May 2021

  Formed boutique high-level business litigation and counseling firm with Theodore R. Tetzlaff, my former partner and Co-Chair at the firm Jenner & Block, and Fortune 100 General Counsel. With our unique combined experience in the courtroom and boardroom, we provide sophisticated strategic litigation advice, as well as experienced guidance on internal controls and procedures, governance, and regulatory compliance. We also represent clients before administrative and regulatory agencies, principally in the transportation and utility industries. Our practice includes acting as adjunct general counsel to public and private companies, and trials and appeals of significant business cases, including regulatory, labor, insurance coverage, patent and trade secret infringement, software piracy and fraud cases. Show less



Wallace Computer Services, Inc.

• Vice President and General Counsel

  • Nov 2001 - May 2003

  Thought leader, ethical anchor, risk manager of $1.6B NYSE company. Reported directly to CEO and Board. Led teams of in-house and outside counsel to provide timely and effective advice on strategic initiatives, including mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, labor and employment, executive compensation, government affairs, all litigation, including significant technology-related litigation. Steered Company through SOX, NYSE and SEC amendments, governance and regulatory reform. Led successful SEC, DOJ review of merger with another public company. Show less



Jenner & Block

• United States
• Law Practice
• 700 & Above Employee

• Partner

  • Sep 1990 - Nov 2001

  Senior Trial Partner. Lead trial counsel for large public and private companies. Reported to companies’ GCs and CEOs. Advised and counseled GCs and CEOs regarding trials and appeals, business litigation strategy for clients’ most significant litigation matters, including international litigation. Assembled, led and managed trial teams of lawyers and client executives to develop trial strategy, prepare, try and appeal significant cases involving, among others, patents and trade secrets, mass tort and product liability, insurance and bad faith, and labor matters arising out of reorganizations and reductions in force in the US and Europe. Show less



Union Pacific Railroad

• United States
• Rail Transportation
• 700 & Above Employee

• General Attorney

  • Jan 1985 - Sep 1990

  General Attorney. Key member of law department with unique responsibilities. Advised and counseled executives and senior managers of Company, reported directly to CEO on most significant matters. Responsible for Company’s strategic commercial litigation, including regulatory matters. Led teams of executives and lawyers on strategic business initiatives, including software licensing and joint ventures. General counsel and board member of advanced train control and software development technology subsidiaries. Led initiative to eliminate redundant agency operations across the System and centralize all customer service operations in Omaha. Show less