Mr. Rachlis is a founding partner in the firm of Rachlis Durham Duff & Adler, LLC. He has experience in complex commercial litigation, including class actions, shareholder derivative suits, insurance coverage actions, partnership and joint venture disputes, and contractual issues affecting the oil and gas industry. Mr. Rachlis was formerly an associate at Jones Day Reavis & Pogue and partner at Hedlund Hanley & John.

Mr. Rachlis has handled several class actions and shareholder derivative suits. For example, Mr. Rachlis successfully represented Verex Assurance Inc. in a class action brought by mortgage insurance holders claiming that Verex wrongfully withheld premium refunds. See Linda Greene Peleschak, et al. v. Verex Assurance Inc., 651 N.E.2d 562 (Ill. App. 1st Dist. 1995). Mr. Rachlis has also represented Transmedia Networks Inc. and is currently representing Auto Nation in class action litigation.

Mr. Rachlis also represented Sears Roebuck & Co. in its defense of numerous class actions and derivative suits arising from allegations of fraudulent auto repairs by a California regulatory agency.

Mr. Rachlis has practiced in the area of insurance coverage. For example, Mr. Rachlis represented Riley Stoker Corporation in an insurance coverage action against U.S.F.G, where Riley Stoker successfully obtained a multimillion dollar judgment, which was largely upheld on appeal. See Riley Stoker Corp. v. Fidelity & Guaranty, et al., 26 F. 3d 581 (5th Cir. 1994). Mr. Rachlis has also represented Montgomery Ward & Co., Incorporated in insurance coverage actions pending in California and Illinois.

Mr. Rachlis has represented clients in complex contractual disputes affecting the oil and gas industry. For example, Mr. Rachlis successfully represented Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company in a contractual dispute involving operations of a gas processing plant in Southern Louisiana against major producers such as Conoco and Vastar (formally known as ARCO).

Mr. Rachlis has represented clients on land use issues. For example, Mr. Rachlis recently completed the trial and appeal to the Illinois Supreme Court a matter involving the preservation of a historically significant building, the result being to preserve vast portions of the building and incorporate it into the construction plans.

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Mr. Rachlis received his J.D., cum laude, in 1990 from the University of Wisconsin Law School, where he was a member of the Wisconsin International Law Journal. In 1987, Mr. Rachlis received his B.A. from the University of Illinois, graduating with highest honors and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.

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