Craig M. Capilla

Craig M. Capilla

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Craig Capilla is a trial lawyer, defending individuals and businesses in a wide range of civil matters, including professional liability and commercial litigation. He has effectively defended numerous residential and commercial appraisers and appraisal firms accused of negligence or improper activity in their valuation services, a chiropractic group accused of malpractice, and successfully litigated employment disputes related to discrimination claims, restrictive covenants, and unemployment hearings. Craig has also represented numerous licensed professionals in state licensing matters, including real estate brokers, real estate appraisers, appraisal management companies, mortgage brokers, nursing home administrators, and medical doctors.

Craig developed his skills as a trial lawyer while working as a staff prosecutor for the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, where he learned and effectively applied the rules of evidence where he tried more than 60 cases while also bringing a high volume of cases to settlement prior to trial. Additionally, Craig has drafted contracts, business agreements, and advised on corporate governance and formation for various small and medium-sized businesses while also consulting for both companies and individuals on regulatory and compliance matters.

Craig has advocated for his clients in various state and federal civil litigation matters and administrative hearings before regulatory agencies including: Qui tam defense, civil RICO matters, professional malpractice, construction defect litigation, breach of contract, breach of warranty, mechanics’ liens, general tort liability, homeowners’ association and landlord/tenant disputes, and professional licensing. He has appeared for clients in a number of jurisdictions throughout Illinois, including various courts in Cook, DuPage, Lake, Carroll, Lee, and Kane counties and the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

2007 | J.D. DePaul University College of Law

2004 | B.A. The University of Michigan
Michigan Sailing Team | Captain 2002-2003

  • Illinois Supreme Court
  • Wisconsin Supreme Court
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
    • Federal Trial Bar
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Indiana
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan
  • United States Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit

Super Lawyers

  • Illinois Rising Stars 2018
  • Illinois Rising Stars 2019

National Association of Independent Fee Appraisers – Chicago Metropolitan Chapter

  • Service Award
  • Obtained summary judgment in favor of an appraisal firm defendant for its work in a construction loan matter. The appraisal firm was found by the trial court judge to have no duty to the borrower of the construction loan while performing site inspections on behalf of the lender.
  • Successfully represented a licensed real estate appraiser in having his license suspension and fine overturned on appeal. Mr. Capilla’s client was not only returned to active license status, but the trial court judge determined that the state regulator did not have jurisdiction to  discipline other licensees for similar conduct due to a lack of jurisdiction.
  • Obtained six figure settlement on behalf of homeowners for Breach of Contract and Breach of Warranty claims due to faulty construction on custom home build.