Eric Hatchell is a trusted trial lawyer with extensive experience representing companies and individuals in their most complex legal challenges — issues that jeopardize the stability of their businesses or create significant financial risk. With a proven track record of securing favorable outcomes both before and at trial, Eric’s successes include obtaining a seven-figure jury punitive damages award for his clients in a jury trial.

With a deep specialization in fiduciary litigation, Eric focuses a substantial portion of his practice in representing trustees, personal representatives, and beneficiaries in high-value trust and probate litigation disputes. He has handled a wide range of unique and high-profile cases, including challenges to the enforceability of testamentary documents, claims of undue influence, disputes over testamentary capacity, and cases arising under the slayer statute. Eric also has significant experience representing closely-held businesses in fiduciary matters, handling disputes related to ownership, management, and succession planning, as well as conflicts among shareholders or partners.

In addition to his work in fiduciary litigation, Eric specializes in representing property owners fight back against the government on state and local taxation assessment and exemption disputes. He has consistently delivered exceptional results, helping clients eliminate hundreds of millions of dollars in property tax assessments. Eric has litigated a diverse range of high-value properties, including movie theaters, multi-family apartments, paper mills, tax credit projects, industrial facilities, commercial office buildings, and large retail complexes. His strategic approach and reputation for achieving favorable results position him to secure advantageous tax assessments and help clients mitigate financial burdens in challenging their property tax matters.

Eric also advises clients on appellate matters and has argued cases before the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, securing multiple favorable decisions from both state and federal appellate courts.