Whitt Law has an experienced team of litigators that maintain a sophisticated and successful litigation and trial practice both in Illinois and elsewhere. Our litigators are routinely involved in high-stakes, precedent-setting litigation. Our practice includes representing clients in matters pending in Illinois state courts, including the Illinois Supreme Court, and federal courts, as well as representing clients in administrative proceedings, before arbitration tribunals and in other alternative dispute resolution forums.

Our litigators have successfully handled numerous types of civil disputes, including those involving high-dollar property tax disputes relating to multi-billion dollar special use properties (such as petroleum refineries and nuclear power stations).

Our litigators are dedicated to aggressive and efficient prosecution and defense of our clients’ disputes and employ a comprehensive yet cost-effective discovery and case preparation methodology focused on presenting a compelling and convincing story at trial. Our case preparation includes active client involvement at every stage. Whether in motion practice, in settlement negotiations or at trial, our attorneys are well known and well regarded for advancing our clients’ immediate and long-term objectives. We also have developed a nationwide network of consulting experts to draw upon as the need arises in any number of engineering, financial or scientific disciplines.

In addition, our litigators spend considerable time counseling clients regarding threatened and anticipated litigation in order to avoid or minimize the impact such litigation may have upon an organization. We care about our clients as people and the continued success of their organizations. We understand that public entity leaders need to exercise sound judgment when determining whether a legal action should be filed, how to avoid or defend against a legal action, and whether a legal action should be tried to verdict or directed toward pre-trial resolution. In addition to the cost of litigation and potential high-dollar exposure, public entity leaders must consider institutional reputation and integrity, as well as issues related to overall economic security. Our litigators are experienced in counseling clients through each of these important and difficult decisions.

Our litigators also have extensive experience handling litigation on behalf of school districts and as a result have developed a unique understanding of the issues and challenges associated therewith. For a more complete explanation of our school district experienceCLICK HERE.

Representative cases:

• Successfully litigated over $96 million of property taxes paid by Exelon Generation Company, LLC regarding its LaSalle Nuclear Power Station in LaSalle County, Illinois for tax years 2009 through 2012, resulting in a seven-year settlement agreement providing for $153 million in additional taxes for tax years 2013 through 2019.
• Successfully litigated the assessment and taxation of Marathon Petroleum Company’s Robinson Refinery in Crawford County, Illinois, resulting in a six-year settlement agreement of over $59 million, representing a 160% annual increase for local taxing bodies.
• Successfully litigated $51 million of property taxes paid by Exelon Generation Company, LLC at the Braidwood Nuclear Power Station in Will County, Illinois for tax years 2011 and 2012, resulting in a seven-year settlement agreement providing for $182.6 million in additional taxes for years 2014 through 2020.
• Successfully litigated $27 million of property taxes paid by Exelon Generation Company, LLC at the Dresden Nuclear Power Station in Grundy County, Illinois for tax year 2012, resulting in a five-year settlement agreement providing for $121 million in additional taxes for years 2013 through 2017.
• Successfully litigated $84 million of property taxes paid by WRB Refining, LP at the Wood River Refinery in Madison County, Illinois for tax years 2011 through 2013, resulting in a four-year settlement agreement providing for $90 million in additional taxes for years 2014 through 2017.
• Successfully litigated $79 million of property taxes paid by PDV Citgo at the Lemont Refinery in Will County, Illinois for tax years 2009 through 2013, resulting in a five-year settlement agreement providing for approximately $105 million in additional taxes for years 2014 through 2018.
• Successfully litigated the assessment and taxation of Exelon Generation Company’s Byron Nuclear Power Station in Ogle County, Illinois, resulting in a $123 million settlement agreement for tax years 2008 through 2011.

 

Whitt Law LLC not only possesses the knowledge and skill, but also the dedication and tenacity, to aggressively represent taxing bodies in matters before local boards of review, the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board and the courts both in Illinois and elsewhere. The outcome of a large property tax dispute can affect the financial future of a taxing body for years to come. When the stakes are high, Whitt Law is an experienced, persistent partner in pursuing a sound, common-sense solution to your complex property tax matters. If assessment litigation or tax levy litigation becomes a reality or a necessity, contact Whitt Law to discuss your options.