JOSH HEIDELMAN

PARTNER

josh@ch-llp.com | LinkedIn | 312.530.7646

Josh is a dedicated advisor who strives to provide his clients with the right balance of pure technical expertise alongside the wise, practical counsel desperately needed in critical moments.

Josh’s approach is informed by his breadth of experience, which includes several years in private practice at AmLaw 100 firms followed by nearly seven years as General Counsel for a global nonprofit.  This combination of experience brings together the benefits of an in-house veteran with a hands-on litigator who has taken cases all the way through trial and appeal.

In the employment space, Josh advises clients on a wide variety of areas.  He is on “speed dial” for many, providing counsel through difficult employee discipline, accommodation, termination, and severance-related issues.  He defends companies against EEOC charges and litigation.  And he regularly assists companies as they draft and revise their handbooks, manuals, and training materials.

Josh also conducts outside investigations for clients as they respond to a wide variety of sensitive workplace misconduct allegations including discrimination, financial malfeasance, harassment, retaliation, and other legal and policy violations.     

Josh’s litigation experience includes a variety of complex commercial litigation matters including employment and trade secrets, cross border disputes on behalf of EU-based companies, intellectual property, and customs matters.  He has served as lead counsel in federal court trials and been the primary draftsperson on appellate briefs. 

Josh also serves as Outside General Counsel for a number of different organizations who do not have in-house legal counsel.

Finally, Josh serves as a mediator for businesses and nonprofit organizations as they seek to resolve their disputes outside of litigation.

Josh is an AV Preeminent rated lawyer through Martindale-Hubbell and has been recognized by Super Lawyers for multiple years.

He has been married to Susan for over 20 years, and they have five children. When not spending time with family, Josh enjoys golf, running, backpacking, and spending time on a lake near Minocqua, Wisconsin.

  • Successfully defended employers against IDHR/EEOC and IDOL charges.

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    Counseling towards litigation avoidance, negotiating separation agreements where warranted.

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    Analyzed, drafted, and revised of employment policies and handbooks.

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    Defended employers in litigation including Title VII, ADEA, and FMLA litigation.

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    Represented employers in trade secret and noncompete litigation.

  • Conducted internal investigation of racial and gender harassment for a global humanitarian organization.

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    Oversaw multiple internal investigations related to workplace misconduct.

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    Conducted investigation of alleged executive level misconduct for a mega church in the southern United States.

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    Conducted investigation into organizational response to alleged youth misconduct at camp.

  • Served as lead trial counsel for Italian steel fabricator in federal court jury trial of dispute related to manufacture of derrick structures for natural gas field in Qatar.

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    ​Represented French importer of gourmet stocks in challenge to tariff classification; obtained favorable appellate verdict in U.S. Federal Circuit Court of Appeals.

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    Represented German pharmaceutical manufacturer in action against former U.S. distributor involving claims of breach of contract, trademark infringement, and unfair competition.

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    Represented German crane manufacturer in dispute with former U.S. distributor involving claims of breach of contract and trademark infringement.

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    Served as lead trial counsel in federal court bench trial of Nigerian national’s defense of Petition brought under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction.

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    Represented limited partner in dispute over valuation of commercial real estate.

  • Serve as outside general counsel for multiple large nonprofit organizations.

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    Counseled in best practices towards maintaining tax-exempt status​.

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    Advising leadership in high-risk decisions with significant potential legal and negative PR exposure.

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    Counseled multiple international nonprofits for engaging in charitable work overseas with and through local NGOs.

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    Drafted and revised ​bylaws, articles of incorporation, and board policies.

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    Consulted with boards in compliance and best practices in governance​​​.

Education

  • Notre Dame Law School, JD, magna cum laude

  • Wheaton College, BA, summa cum laude

  • Northwestern University, Mediation Certificate Program

Bar/Court Admissions and Professional Affiliations

  • Illinois

  • Colorado

  • United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (including Trial Bar)

  • United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

  • United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit

  • Illinois State Bar Association

  • Former Board member and Governance Committee Chair, Christian Leadership Alliance

Mediation Services: Businesses and Nonprofits

  • Business disputes

  • Partnership/Owner conflicts and disputes

  • Domestic and International nonprofit disputes

  • Church elder/membership conflicts

Selected Publications and Speaking Engagements

  • Responding to Work-From-Home Accommodation Requests In a Post-COVID Environment, Illinois State Bar Association Labor & Employment Law Newsletter, Vol. 63, No. 2, Sept. 2025

  • Appropriate “Prying” Into the CEO’s Personal Life, workshop seminar at national conference, 2023

  • Critical Decision Points in Investigations, workshop seminar at national conference, 2022

  • Dealing with Risk in Unstable Countries, workshop seminar at national conference, 2022

  • Preventing Scandals in the C-Suite, workshop seminar at national conference, 2022

  • HR Compliance and Policy Issues in the New Administration/Congress, workshop seminar at national conference, 2021

  • International Grantmaking: Critical Compliance Steps when Funding Work Overseas, workshop seminar at national conference, 2021

  • Avoiding Personal Liability as a Board Member, workshop seminar at national conference, 2021

  • Legal/Regulatory Challenges in International Work, workshop seminar at national conference, 2020

  • Attorney-Client Privilege and Former Directors and Officers, co-authored with M. Schrier, published by the ABA Committee on Commercial and Business Litigation, Aug. 26, 2011