Alejandra Barcenas

Lipe Lyons is proud to announce that six of our attorneys were selected for inclusion in the 2024 editions of The Best Lawyers in America® and the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America™

Shareholders Jeffrey Lipe and Thomas Pontikis were selected for inclusion in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® for their work in personal injury litigation. Shareholder James Whalen, Partner Amanda Zink, and Of Counsel Raymond Lyons Jr. were selected for inclusion in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® for their work in insurance litigation. And Senior Associate Alejandra Barcenas was selected for inclusion in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America™ for her work in Insurance Law and Construction Litigation.

Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers® has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Best Lawyers lists are compiled based on an exhaustive peer-review evaluation.

Ones to Watch in America™ highlights the legal talent of lawyers who have been in practice less than 10 years. These awards are recognitions given to attorneys who are earlier in their careers for outstanding professional excellence in private practice in America.

We invite you to visit Lipe Lyons’ Best Lawyers® profile: https://lnkd.in/gQ2aXFak

Senior Associate Alejandra Barcenas organizes Pro Bono Naturalization Clinic co-hosted by HNBA, HLAI, PRBA and NSLAC

Senior Associate Alejandra Barcenas currently serves as a Commissioner for the HNBA Latina Commission, Co-Chair of the Latina Leadership Academy Committee, and she is also a Deputy Regional President for HNBA Region IX, which serves Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Alejandra organized a Pro Bono Naturalization Clinic co-hosted by the Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA) Region IX, the Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois (PRBA), HLAI- Serving the Hispanic Lawyers of Illinois (HLAI), and the North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic. These organizations are partnering with Highwood Public Library to bring naturalization screenings to their citizenship preparation class students.

Lipe Lyons Senior Associate Alejandra Barcenas featured panelist in HNBA event

Lipe Lyons Senior Associate Alejandra Barcenas is a featured panelist at the Hispanic National Bar Association HNBA Latina Commission's “Pearls of Wisdom” in-person panel today at Benito Juarez High School in Chicago, Illinois. Alejandra currently serves as a Commissioner for the HNBA Latina Commission, Co-Chair of the Latina Leadership Academy Committee, and she is also a Deputy Regional President for HNBA Region IX, which serves Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Today’s panel will be hosted and moderated by fellow Latina Commissioner, Fatima Garcia, Esq., LLM. Guest panelists include Alejandra and fellow Latina Commissioner and Co-Chair of the Latina Leadership Academy Committee, Jessica Velez.  The HNBA Latina Commission “Pearls of Wisdom” program is a panel of Latina lawyers who speak with young Latinx students across the country about their path to becoming a lawyer with the hope of inspiring them to consider a career in law.

Shareholder Jordan Tank and Associate Alexzandria Johnson Secure Dismissal With Prejudice for their client

Shareholder Jordan Tank and Associate Alexzandria Johnson Secure Dismissal With Prejudice for their client, which was sued for negligence in Cook County. Their aggressive initial investigation revealed their client could not have been responsible for the accidents as alleged by Plaintiff. Before filing a responsive pleading, Lipe Lyons raised the factual issues with Plaintiff’s claim to the Court and obtained an order that required Plaintiff to provide evidence showing why the client was named as a defendant. Plaintiff instead agreed to voluntarily dismiss the client with prejudice, avoiding unnecessary and costly motion practice and discovery. 

Lipe Lyons Attorneys Selected to 2023 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

The firm is pleased to announce that five of our Shareholders Jeffrey Lipe, Raymond Lyons, Thomas Pontikis, James Whalen, and Jordan Tank, and two of our Senior Associates Alejandra Barcenas and Elise Ruff, were recognized as Super Lawyers and Rising Stars for the 2023 Illinois Super Lawyers List published in the most recent issue of Super Lawyers Magazine, a publication from Thomson Reuters and the publishers of Chicago magazine. We invite you to learn more about our attorneys by visiting their Attorney Bios.

Attorneys Alejandra Barcenas and Elise Ruff promoted to Senior Associate

Lipe Lyons is proud to announce that attorneys Alejandra Barcenas and Elise Ruff have been promoted to Senior Associate Attorneys, commensurate with their experience in our firm’s areas of practice. Please join us in congratulating Alejandra and Elise!

Lipe Lyons Senior Associates Alejandra Barcenas and Elise Ruff host Primerus Cocktails & Conversation event

We are excited to share that this upcoming Thursday, January 12th, Lipe Lyons Associates Alejandra Barcenas and Elise Ruff will be hosting the International Society of Primerus Law Firms’ Cocktails and Conversation discussing the topic “Lawyer burnout: How do we avoid it?”

Lipe Lyons Associate Alejandra Barcenas was recently featured in the Primerus Weekly Newsletter published by the International Society of Primerus Law Firms. We invite you to read Alejandra's full feature from the Primerus Weekly here: https://lnkd.in/gwTuwRf5

Lipe Lyons is delighted to announce that Associate, Alejandra Barcenas was recently appointed to serve as Commissioner and Co-Chair of the Latina Leadership Academy Committee for the Hispanic National Bar Association’s (HNBA) Latina Commission 2022-2023

Lipe Lyons is delighted to announce that Associate, Alejandra Barcenas was recently appointed to the Latina Commission of the Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA) for the 2022-2023 HNBA Association year. This will be Alejandra’s second consecutive year serving on the HNBA Latina Commission. Alejandra was also appointed as Co-Chair of the Latina Leadership Academy Committee for 2022-2023. Alejandra also serves as a Deputy Regional President for the HNBA’s Region IX, which serves Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
 
The Latina Commission serves the community and the legal profession by identifying and studying barriers to the professional development and advancement of Latina lawyers. The Commission develops programs and strategies for Latina lawyers and students to overcome barriers to entry and advancement into the profession. The Commission seeks to inform and shape the policies and priorities that affect women lawyers and the legal culture in which they practice, creating forums for the exchange and expression of the views of Latina lawyers, and serving as a voice to advocate for these views.
 
Alejandra was selected for the position based on her outstanding achievements and dedication to the HNBA.

Lipe Lyons is delighted to announce that Associate Alexzandria Johnson was recently appointed as Co-Chair of the Winter Ball Committee for the Cook County Bar Association.

Lipe Lyons is proud to congratulate Associate Alexzandria Johnson on her recent appointment as Co-Chair of the Winter Ball Committee for the Cook County Bar Association. The Winter Ball will take place mid-December. Founded in 1874, The Chicago Bar Association is one of the oldest and most active metropolitan bar associations in the United States. The Association's voluntary membership of 17,000 consists largely of lawyers and judges from Cook County and the State of Illinois. 
 

Jury returns low-six-figure verdict after plaintiff requests over $31 million for traumatically-amputated leg in product liability case involving industrial drilling machine.

Lipe Lyons Announces 2022 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

The firm is pleased to announce that five of our Shareholders Jeffrey Lipe, Raymond Lyons, Edward Murphy, James Whalen, and Jordan Tank, and four of our associates Alejandra Barcenas, Ryan Eckert, Riley Gallagher, and Elise Ruff, were recognized as Super Lawyers and Rising Stars for the 2022 Illinois Super Lawyers List published in the most recent issue of Super Lawyers Magazine, a publication from Thomson Reuters and the publishers of Chicago magazine. We invite you to learn more about our attorneys by visiting their Attorney Bios.

Lipe Lyons is delighted to announce that Associate, Alejandra Barcenas was recently appointed to the Latina Commission of the Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA) for the 2021-2022 HNBA Association year

The Latina Commission serves the community and the legal profession by identifying and studying barriers to the professional development and advancement of Latina lawyers. The Commission develops programs and strategies for Latina lawyers and students to overcome barriers to entry and advancement into the profession. The Commission seeks to inform and shape the policies and priorities that affect women lawyers and the legal culture in which they practice, creating forums for the exchange and expression of the views of Latina lawyers, and serving as a voice to advocate for these views.
 
Alejandra was selected for the position based on her outstanding achievements and dedication to the HNBA.

We are excited to share that this upcoming Monday, December 13^th, Alejandra Barcenas will be hosting the International Society of Primerus Law Firms’ Coffee and Conversation discussing the topic “Good Law Firm Culture: What Is It And How Do You Know If You Have It?”.

Congratulations to Alejandra Barcenas

 

Jordan Tank and Alejandra Barcenas Obtained Dismissal with Prejudice for Their Client in a Construction Defect Case Alleging Millions in Damages

Shareholder Jordan Tank and Associate Alejandra Barcenas secured a dismissal with prejudice for their client, which was facing an express contractual indemnity claim in a construction defect case alleging $2.8 million in damages to a 66-unit residential condominium and retail development in Forest Park, Illinois.
 
Lipe Lyons’ client was alleged to be primarily responsible for causing the plaintiff’s damages. However, the firm’s investigation into the claim revealed serious legal and factual issues. When the rest of the parties went to mediation, Lipe Lyons’ client took a no pay position. The rest of the parties reached a global settlement and dismissed all claims with prejudice, including the express contractual indemnity claim pending against the firm’s client.

Plaintiff’s Firm vs Former Attorney Employee - Lipe Lyons negotiates favorable settlement for plaintiff firm against former attorney employee

Shareholders Thomas Pontikis and Jordan Tank and Associate Alejandra Barcenas successfully represented a plaintiff’s firm in a lawsuit against an attorney who left the firm and solicited dozens of clients in violation of the Illinois ARDC’s rules on advertising and solicitation. Lipe Lyons prosecuted breach of fiduciary duty and tortious interference claims and sought an injunction and monetary damages.
 
The trial judge granted summary judgment on the tortious interference claim based on correspondence sent by the defendant to the plaintiff firm’s clients. The parties then mediated the case and reached a global resolution by negotiating percentage allocations between the plaintiff firm and the defendant for each of the cases he improperly solicited. 
 

Amanda Zink and Alejandra Barcenas Negotiate Favorable Settlement for Defendant Client

Lipe Lyons represented a Texas steel and metal manufacturer in a case involving serious injuries sustained by a plaintiff ironworker while he was working at a wind farm construction project in Illinois. Amanda Zink and Alejandra Barcenas represented the target Defendant during a private mediation and successfully negotiated a favorable settlement for their client, preventing the need for further complex litigation. Based on the discovery exchanged in the case, it was anticipated that plaintiff would seek damages at trial in excess of $2.4 million. The case ultimately settled with Lipe Lyons’ client paying only $575,000.

Pipovic v. Retail Properties of America, Inc., et al.

Thomas Pontikis and Alejandra Barcenas obtained summary judgments for commercial property owner and commercial landlord in a premises liability lawsuit filed by a plaintiff who claimed she incurred nearly $220,000 in special damages after she slipped and fell in a multi-level parking garage parking. The plaintiff alleged a construction defect allowed water to leak into the interior levels of the parking garage and freeze, resulting in plaintiff slipping and injuring herself. Prior to the filing of summary judgment motions, plaintiff issued a global settlement demand for $1,400,000 in addition to a full waiver of the worker’s compensation lien. The trial court granted summary judgment to both of Lipe Lyons’ clients in the case, dismissing with prejudice not only plaintiff’s causes of actions against the two entities but also all counterclaims filed against them by co-defendants. The trial court agreed that Lipe Lyons’ clients did not retain control over any activity on the premises and, thus, owed no duty of care to the plaintiff.

Lipe Lipe Lyons secures favorable settlement with Minnesota Attorney General on behalf of client that was targeted by the Minnesota State Patrol while supplying fuel to Minnesota’s power plants

Shareholder Jordan Tank and Associate Alejandra Barcenas sought declaratory and injunctive relief on behalf of their client, Midwest Integrated Companies, LLC, which collects and recycles railroad ties for use as environmentally-friendly fuel in power plants. Midwest transported the fuel over the road under a special oversize/overweight permit issued by Minnesota. When the Minnesota Department of Transportation and Minnesota State Patrol unexpectedly decided that Midwest’s permit did not allow it to transport the fuel, their interpretation threatened both Midwest’s business and a critical source of fuel for Minnesota’s power plants. After Lipe Lyons filed suit and an accompanying memorandum explaining how the new interpretation was contrary to the statutory authority and legislative intent, Minnesota’s Attorney General quickly agreed to resolve the issue outside of court, and Midwest was able to resume supplying power plants with the fuel they need.

 

Associate Alejandra Barcenas serves as panelist for event hosted by the Latino Law Students Association at the Loyola University Chicago School of Law, in conjunction with the Castillo Scholars Mentorship Program
 

On February 18, 2020, Ms. Barcenas was a featured panelist for a networking event hosted by the Latino Law Students Association (LLSA) at the Loyola University Chicago School of Law, in conjunction with the Castillo Scholars Mentorship Program. The event offered attendees the opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions with the seven featured panelists from different fields, including Ms. Barcenas, regarding a variety of important topics such as the impact of COVID-19 on the practice of law and especially litigation and trials, working remotely, diversity in the legal profession, and each panelist’s experience working in their field and area of practice.

2021 Illinois Supers Lawyers List

The firm is pleased to announce that name partners Jeffrey H. Lipe, Raymond Lyons, Jr. and Edward J. Murphy and partner James H. Whalen have been named to the 2021 Illinois Super Lawyers List published in the most recent issue of Super Lawyers Magazine, a publication from Thomson Reuters and the publishers of Chicago magazine.  These lawyers have been recognized per below:

   
Super Lawyers selects attorneys using a rigorous, multi-stage process in which peer nominations and evaluations are combined with independent research.  All candidates are evaluated on 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement.  Each year, lawyers are invited to nominate the top attorneys they have personally observed in action.  Researchers then evaluate candidates based on 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement.  Candidates are then grouped according to their primary practice areas and final selections are made by special review panels composed of leading lawyers in each state. 
  
In addition, partner Jordan Tank, and associates Alejandra Barcenas, Sarah Bourdet, John Dark, Ryan Eckert and Elaina Valtierra have been named to the 2021 Rising Stars List by Super Lawyers, which is also published in the most recent issue of Super Lawyers Magazine.  The selection process for the Rising Stars list is the same as the Super Lawyers selection process, with one exception: to be eligible for inclusion in Rising Stars, a candidate must be either 40 years old or younger or in practice for 10 years or less. No more than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in Illinois are named to the Rising Stars list. These attorneys were recognized as Rising Stars in the following fields:
 

Congratulations to Alejandra Barcenas

Lipe Lyons is proud to celebrate associate, Alejandra Barcenas’ two year anniversary with the firm.  Ms. Barcenas is a litigation associate at Lipe Lyons who focuses her practice on the defense of commercial, construction, premises liability, and transportation claims in state and federal courts. Just a few of Ms. Barcenas’ successes in the last year include:

• Ms. Barcenas obtained a favorable outcome for Lipe Lyons’ client in a Cook County Commercial Arbitration case involving claims for business property damage, business interruption damages, and claims for insurance proceeds, limiting the arbitration award to approximately $30,000, instead of the total $90,00.00 claimed by the Plaintiff.
• Ms. Barcenas represented multiple defendants during a court mediation and successfully negotiated a favorable settlement for those clients, preventing the need for further complex litigation. Despite Plaintiff’s opening global settlement demand of $950,000, the case ultimately settled with Lipe Lyons’ clients paying only a collective sum of $20,000.
• In a case involving injuries sustained by a plaintiff after she slipped and fell in front of insured’s hotel, Ms. Barcenas represented defendants during a private mediation and successfully negotiated a favorable settlement for those clients, preventing the need for further complex litigation. Despite Plaintiff’s opening settlement demand of $1,500,000, the case ultimately settled with Lipe Lyons’ clients paying only $300,000.
• Ms. Barcenas drafted, presented, and won a motion to dismiss indemnity claims filed against Lipe Lyons’ client in a commercial case involving business property damage and construction claims.

 
Additionally, Ms. Barcenas was nominated and selected for Super Lawyers’ 2021 Rising Stars, as well as being selected to join fellow Latina lawyers from across the country and from all areas of the profession in attending the 2020 Hispanic National Bar Association Latina Leadership Program. Ms. Barcenas was also featured in the LLSA Alumni Spotlight Newsletter published by Loyola University Chicago School of Law’s Latinx Law Student Association.
 

Alejandra Barcenas Excited to Join Esteemed Group of Latina Lawyers at the HNBA Latina Leadership Academy

On September 15, 2020, Associate, Alejandra Barcenas, will join fellow Latina lawyers from across the country and from all areas of the profession in attending the 2020 Hispanic National Bar Association Latina Leadership Program. Each year, during the HNBA/VIA Annual Convention, the Latina Commission offers professional development and leadership training programs aimed at Latina lawyers. The Latina Leadership Academy offers curriculum specifically developed for Latina attorneys and draws from a significant body of research from both the Commission and other leading organizations. The program addresses areas identified as key to shattering glass ceilings and securing the advancement and long-term success of Latina lawyers—the most underrepresented group in the legal profession. The Academy’s curriculum builds off the successful programs on Grit and Growth Mindset and delves into concepts of executive presence, cultivating leadership skills, and what it means to be authentic in organizations where Latinas remain underrepresented at all levels.

Lipe Lyons Women Attorneys to Join Rotating Cast of Female Neutrals from ADR to Discuss Impact of COVID-19 on Women Lawyers
 

On August 13, 2020, partner Amanda L. Zink, and associates Elaina Valtierra, Alejandra Barcenas, Sahrish Moyeed and Sarah Bourdet will join a rotating cast of female neutrals from ADR Systems, including Hon. Helaine L. Berger, (Ret.), Hon. Lisa R. Curcio, (Ret.), Amy L. Gertler, Esq., Hon. Kay M. Hanlon, (Ret.) and Hon. Brigid M. McGrath, (Ret.) for a virtual Happy Hour and Networking Discussion regarding the impact of COVID-19 on women lawyers.  Topics will include how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted female attorneys’ ability to network, stretched their abilities as working professionals, and challenged them to serve their clients in new and remote ways. 

Lipe Lyons Welcomes New Associate