Other Pursuits
“Outside of the office, I am a history buff, a hacker (at golf), and a hiker. I am a member of St. Francis Xavier Parish (La Grange, Illinois) and the University Club of Chicago.”
— Pete Steinmeyer
Peter (Pete)’s Bios
Focus Areas
Experience
- Defeated multimillion-dollar claims against a financial services company including breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, fraudulent concealment, and tortious interference. At trial, Pete systematically whittled down the case to show it had no merit, ultimately compelling the court to issue a directed verdict or finding in favor of his clients on all claims. The plaintiffs received nothing.
- Defeated efforts to prevent three individuals from assuming new positions at a competing oil industry company. At trial, Pete confronted difficult facts to prove that the plaintiff overreached, with the end result being that the individuals were allowed to assume their new positions.
- Represented a manufacturing industry client in a trade secret misappropriation case in which, through dogged discovery, Pete ultimately convinced the court to issue a default judgment and award nearly $300,000 in attorney’s fees and costs as a sanction for evidence spoliation and lying under oath.
- Defeated a five-count complaint against two former insurance industry employees and their new employer for alleged violations of restrictive covenants, alleged tortious interference, and alleged trade secret misappropriation. Pete focused on the real-world implications of the facts and succeeded in proving the plaintiff was overreaching. He got the case dismissed and then argued and won on appeal.
- Defeated reverse discrimination claims against a financial services firm. The day after Pete took the plaintiff’s deposition, the plaintiff voluntarily dismissed his case and received nothing.
- Argued and won Contempo Design, Inc. v. Chicago & N.E. IL Dist. Council of Carpenters, 226 F.3d 535 (7th Cir. 2000) (en banc). Following a victory at trial and even though he was just 10 years out of law school, Pete convinced the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit to affirm an award of $445,000 against the carpenters’ union for an illegal strike and a declaration that a collective bargaining agreement signed to end the illegal strike was null and void. This was the only en banc decision issued by the Seventh Circuit in 2000.
Recognition
- Chambers USA: The World's Leading Lawyers for Business, Illinois—Labor & Employment (2022)
- The Best Lawyers in America©, Employment Law—Management and Labor Law—Management (2016 to 2022)
- Illinois Super Lawyers, Employment & Labor: Employer (2006 to 2022)
- The Legal 500 United States, Labor and Employment Disputes (Including Collective Actions): Defense (2021)
- Leading Lawyers, Employment Law: Management and Trade Secrets/Unfair Competition Law (2013 to 2021)
- Martindale-Hubbell, AV® Peer Review Rating
Credentials
Education
- University of Chicago Law School (J.D., 1990)
- University of Virginia (B.A., 1987)
Bar Admissions
- Illinois
- Missouri
Court Admissions
- Supreme Court of the United States
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
- U.S. District Court, Central District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Indiana
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas
Professional & Community Involvement
- Chicago Council of Lawyers (President, 2009 - 2010)
- Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission Hearing Board (2013 – 2022)
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce: Board of Directors; Employment Law & Litigation Committee
- Illinois State Bar Association
Key Publications
A sampling of Pete's recent publications includes:
- “Trade Secret Laws: Illinois” (coauthor), Thomson Reuters Practical Law (Aug. 2022)
- “Ethical Issues for Attorneys Related to Restrictive Covenants” (coauthor), Thomson Reuters Practical Law (Aug. 2022)
- “Trade Secrets Litigation” (coauthor), Thomson Reuters Practical Law (Jan. 2022)
- “Preparing for Non-Compete Litigation” (coauthor), Thomson Reuters Practical Law (Jan. 2022)
- “Garden Leave Provisions in Employment Agreements” (coauthor), Thomson Reuters Practical Law (Dec. 2021)
- “Non-Compete Laws: Illinois” (coauthor), Thomson Reuters Practical Law (Sept. 2021)
- "A Vaccine for ‘Normal,’ but Legal Issues to Consider for Employers" (coauthor), Chicago Daily Law Bulletin (April 26, 2021)
- "Trade Secrets Law 25 Years After PepsiCo Disclosure Case" (coauthor), Law360 (Jan. 2021)
- “Hiring from a Competitor: Practical Tips to Minimize Litigation Risk” (coauthor), Thomson Reuters Practical Law (May 2020)
- "The Future of Force Majeure in Employment Contracts” (coauthor), Law360 (April 2020)
- “Expert Q&A on Biometrics in the Workplace: Recent Developments and Trends” (coauthor), Thomson Reuters Practical Law (Feb. 2018)
- “Developing a Plan for Employee Departures in California,” IPWatchdog (June 27, 2017)
Spilling Secrets Podcast Series
Pete is a co-host of Spilling Secrets, a podcast series on the future of trade secrets and non-compete law. Each episode features an all-star panel of attorneys talking about real-life problems, developments, and strategies when dealing with trade secrets, non-competes, and other types of restrictive covenants.
Media
Episode 141: Monthly Rundown
National Backlash Builds Against Non-Compete Agreements
Employment Law This Week® - Trending News
Events
Past Events
- The Future of Noncompetes and What It Means for the Protection of Your Workforce and Trade Secrets: Part 3February 10, 2022
- The Future of Noncompetes and What It Means for the Protection of Your Workforce and Trade Secrets: Part 2January 27, 2022
- The Future of Noncompetes and What It Means for the Protection of Your Workforce and Trade Secrets: Part 1October 7, 2021
- The Hottest COVID-19 Employment Issues Part 2: Working Remotely – Key Employment Law Issues and Employee Benefits Issues That Employers Should Address NowJune 10, 2021
- The Ethics of NoncompetesJune 2, 2021
- Both Sides of the Coin: Protecting Your Own Workforce and Trade Secrets from Potential Raiders, and Minimizing Litigation Risk When Hiring from a CompetitorMay 11, 2021
- Hot Employee Mobility Issues in the COVID-19 EraNovember 12, 2020
- 2020 Restaurant Legal Summit: Better and Stronger Through Diversity and InclusionOctober 14, 2020
- What’s New for 2020 with Trade Secrets and Restrictive Covenants LawSeptember 15, 2020
- You Are Excused: Force Majeure and the Workplace in the COVID-19 EraApril 21, 2020
Insights
- COVID Re-Opening Phase 5: What Now for Illinois and Chicago Businesses?June 16, 20213 minute read
- Epstein Becker Green Receives High Rankings for Health Care and Workforce Management Practices in 2021 Edition of <em>The Legal 500 United States</em>June 16, 20212 minute read
- Illinois Lawmakers Pass Numerous Bills Affecting EmployersJune 9, 20214 minute read
- A Comprehensive Reform of Noncompete and Nonsolicit Law in IllinoisJune 8, 2021less than a minute
- <em>Law360’s</em> Hottest Firms and Stories Features Epstein Becker Green Article on Illinois’ Recent Comprehensive Reform of Noncompete and Nonsolicit LawJune 4, 2021less than a minute
- Illinois Noncompete Reform Balances Employee and Biz InterestsJune 2, 2021less than a minute
- Minimizing Litigation Risk When Hiring from a CompetitorMay 24, 2021less than a minute
- Hiring from a Competitor: Practical Tips to Minimize Litigation RiskMay 20, 2021less than a minute
- Under Expanded Illinois Kin Care Law, Employees Can Now Use Sick Leave Benefits for the “Personal Care” of a Family MemberMay 13, 20212 minute read
- Chicago Enacts COVID-19 Vaccine Anti-Retaliation and Time Off OrdinanceMay 12, 20212 minute read
- A Vaccine for "Normal," but Legal Issues to Consider for EmployersApril 26, 20212 minute read
- Illinois Places Significant Restrictions on Employers’ Use of Criminal Conviction History and Imposes EEO Reporting RequirementApril 1, 20216 minute read
- Illinois Department of Labor Issues Guidance on Providing Leave for Employees to Get VaccinatedMarch 8, 20212 minute read
- Five Epstein Becker Green Attorneys Named to 2021 <em>Illinois Super Lawyers </em> and <em>Rising Stars </em> ListsJanuary 29, 2021less than a minute
- Trade Secrets Law 25 Years After PepsiCo Disclosure CaseJanuary 8, 2021less than a minute
- Preparing for Non-Compete Litigation: 2021 UpdateJanuary 6, 2021less than a minute
- Preparing for Non-Compete LitigationJanuary 6, 2021less than a minute
- Epstein Becker Green Awards Three Annual Core Values ChampionsNovember 17, 20203 minute read
- Garden Leave Provisions in Employment Agreements: 2020 UpdateNovember 2, 20202 minute read
- Garden Leave Provisions in Employment AgreementsOctober 30, 20202 minute read
- Peter Steinmeyer Quoted in “5 Noncompete Developments to Watch for as 2020 Ends”September 10, 20203 minute read
- Fifty-Five Epstein Becker Green Attorneys Recognized for Professional Excellence–Two Attorneys Distinguished as “Lawyer of the Year”–by <em> The Best Lawyers in America </em> 2021August 20, 20203 minute read
- Non-Compete Laws: Illinois – Q&A Guide for Employers UpdateAugust 12, 2020less than a minute
- The Latest COVID-19 Reopening Guidance for Illinois and Chicago EmployersJune 30, 20202 minute read
- INSIGHT: Protecting Key Employees, Trade Secrets in the Post-Covid-19 Job MarketJune 11, 2020less than a minute
- Illinois Begins—and Chicago Prepares for—Phase 3 of ReopeningMay 29, 20209 minute read
- Hiring from a Competitor: Practical Tips to Minimize Litigation RiskMay 18, 2020less than a minute
- You Are Excused: Force Majeure and the Workplace in the COVID-19 EraApril 20, 2020less than a minute
- Peter Steinmeyer Quoted in "Employment Attorneys See Pockets of Hiring Amid Pandemic"April 16, 2020less than a minute
- The Future of Force Majeure in Employment ContractsApril 15, 20202 minute read
- You Are Excused: Force Majeure and the Workplace in the COVID-19 EraMarch 31, 20203 minute read
- Illinois’ “Stay at Home” Order: A Checklist for Operating During COVID-19March 25, 20204 minute read
- Four Epstein Becker Green Attorneys Named to 2020 <em> Illinois Super Lawyers </em> and <em> Rising Stars </em> ListsJanuary 29, 20202 minute read
- Peter Steinmeyer Quoted in "5 Noncompete Rulings from 2019 Attorneys Should Know"December 13, 20192 minute read
- Preparing for Non-Compete Litigation – Practice Note UpdateNovember 14, 2019less than a minute
- Preparing for Non-Compete LitigationNovember 13, 2019less than a minute
- Belief That Information Is a Trade Secret, Even If It Isn’t, Is Enough to Be Convicted for Attempted Theft of Trade SecretsOctober 11, 20192 minute read
- Trade Secrets Litigation: 2019 Practice Note UpdateOctober 7, 2019less than a minute
- Trade Secrets Litigation: Practical Law Practice NoteOctober 4, 2019less than a minute
- Non-Compete Laws: IllinoisAugust 18, 2019less than a minute
- Forty-Seven Epstein Becker Green Attorneys Named by <em> The Best Lawyers in America </em> 2020, One Attorney Distinguished as “Lawyer of the Year”August 15, 20193 minute read
- Peter Steinmeyer Quoted in "The Biggest Noncompete Decisions of 2019: Midyear Report"July 3, 2019less than a minute
- Managing Employee Mobility Today: Are You Succeeding or Scrambling?June 26, 20198 minute read
- Alleged Inconsistent Enforcement of Non-Compete Agreements Raised in Discrimination CaseMay 16, 2019less than a minute
- Hiring from a Competitor: Practical Tips to Minimize Litigation RiskApril 15, 2019less than a minute
- Even If “Secret,” Information Will Not Qualify As a “Trade Secret” Unless Adequate Measures Were Taken To Protect That SecrecyMarch 11, 20192 minute read
- Four Epstein Becker Green Attorneys in Chicago Named to 2019 <em> Super Lawyers </em> ListJanuary 24, 2019less than a minute
- Epstein Becker Green Welcomes James J. Oh to Its Chicago OfficeJanuary 16, 20192 minute read
- Peter Steinmeyer Quoted in "What Noncompete Lawyers Ought to Be Watching in 2019"January 14, 20192 minute read
- Act Now Advisory: Illinois Employers Must Reimburse Employee ExpensesJanuary 10, 2019less than a minute