Robert L. JackstadtLast month, the Fifth District Appellate Court of Illinois found in favor of the Village of Bethalto, as it affirmed the circuit court’s decision that plaintiff Cedarhurst of Bethalto Real Estate, LLC did not have standing to bring its complaint against the Village. The appellate court held that Plaintiff could not bring any of its three claims (declaratory relief, injunctive relief, and mandamus) against the Village because it did not suffer any distinct or direct injury. As the court set forth, minimum pleading standards require a sufficient connection between the parties involving an injury to a legally cognizable interest. Absent such injury, the Village of Bethalto was able to prevail. Rob Jackstadt successfully argued on behalf of the village before the circuit and appellate courts, and Chad Watkins helped prepare the briefs at each stage of the proceeding.
Robert L. Jackstadt practices in the areas of commercial, construction and education litigation. Rob has tried to a conclusion numerous jury and bench trials in federal and state courts located in Illinois and Missouri. Rob has tried and/or handled hundreds of different civil litigation matters involving a wide variety of complex matters including construction defects, employment contracts, retaliatory discharge, railcar leases, letters of credit, minority shareholder claims, unfair labor practices, condemnation, products liability, non-competition agreements, mechanic’s liens, tax increment financing districts, and securities.
Rob also has extensive experience negotiating construction contracts and providing advice to public entities on public construction projects. He has been selected by his peers as an Illinois Leading Lawyer in the area of Construction Law. Rob has also received an AV Rating from Martindale-Hubbell in both St. Louis and Edwardsville, the highest rating available.
Rob is a founding Shareholder of the Firm. Prior to co-founding this Firm, Rob was a partner at Blackwell Sanders Peper Martin (now Husch Blackwell Sanders, LLP) for eight years. In addition to his private practice, Rob serves as the Mayor of Glen Carbon, Illinois ““ a part time position. Rob serves on the Firm’s three-person Management Committee.
Chad Watkins practices primarily in Illinois education law. Prior to joining the firm, Chad taught high school in Washington, D.C. and received his master’s degree in special education.
Illinois Education – Tueth Keeney is proud to be one of the state’s largest Illinois education law practices. The firm has one of the most experienced groups of attorneys in Central and Southern Illinois dedicated to serving public schools. We regularly represent nearly 150 public school districts, including many districts in Central and Southern Illinois. Our Firm is also regularly appointed by insurers of educational institutions to represent districts in complex or difficult cases involving school or civil rights laws.