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John Stanis is involved in a broad range of litigation, employment and commercial law matters. Conversant in Japanese, John represents U.S. subsidiaries of Japanese companies. John’s clients appreciate his judgment and practical approach to handling their most important business decisions and challenges in the U.S. market. John understands the differences between the Japanese and American approach to business, and is able to explain even the most divergent perspectives while devising a solution that is workable for his client.

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John’s litigation experience includes appearing in state and federal courts throughout the country. He represents clients in pursuing and defending claims involving commercial disputes, personal injury/asbestos  claims, distributor terminations, logistics disputes, wrongful employee termination, wage and hour claims, discrimination, harassment, misappropriation of trade secrets and corporate opportunities, non-competition and confidentiality agreements, title insurance, landlord/tenant and construction disputes, and creditors’ rights in bankruptcy.

John has extensive experience in counseling and training clients regarding compliance with state, federal and local anti­discrimination and anti-harassment laws. He regularly works with clients to prepare and implement employee handbooks, executive agreements, and best practices for protecting intellectual property, employee discipline and terminations. His focus remains on maximizing each client’s work environment and preventing, managing and defending against any claims that might arise.

Moreover, John regularly assists clients in drafting and negotiating a wide variety of commercial, sales and product distribution agreements. These initiatives include secured sales 

contracts, sales representative and distributor agreements, bills of lading, logistics and transportation agreements, and obtaining freight forwarder and customs broker licenses and permits.

John’s proven instinct for offering the right solution, outstanding and multi-cultural people skills, and excellent writing and communication abilities often allow him to gain an advantage for the clients he serves. Prior to practicing law and during his undergraduate studies, John spent a year at Nanzan University in Nagoya, Japan.

Practice Areas

Education

  • University of Illinois College of Law, J.D., 1988
  • Illinois State University, B.S. Philosophy, 1985

Admissions

  • Illinois
  • California
  • Florida
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois (Trial Bar)
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin

Languages

  • Japanese
.
Experience

Experience

Filed pre-emptive declaratory judgment action against Wisconsin distributor to defeat the distributor's threatened claims of breach of contract and violation of Wisconsin Fair Dealership Law, leading to the distributor abandoning all claims and voluntarily dismissing its claims.
Represented Section 8 landlord in multiple eviction lawsuits.

Defended university professor against research misconduct charges, resulting in no allegations being proven against the client and preserving her reputation and eligibility for federal research funding.

Represented multi-state employer in a discrimination and harassment lawsuit, including developing evidence in discovery that the plaintiff had falsified emails, perjured herself and made misrepresentations to the court.

Assisted clients in investigating, terminating and then suing executives of manufacturing client for misappropriation of corporate opportunity and conversion of client's money for their own business and personal expenses.

Presented anti-harassment, anti-discrimination and best practices training to manufacturing, logistics and electronics companies.

Memberships

Memberships

American Bar Association
Chicago Bar Association
Illinois State Bar Association
Professional Activities
Legal Updates/Client Advisories
Opening Up Your Workplace Again - Part 3
Executive Summary On Thursday April 16, 2020, President Trump unveiled his "Guidelines for Opening Up America Again." The Centers for…
California Law: Non-Hire Clauses in a Land Without Non-Competes
Executive Summary By now, many HR professionals are aware that §16600 of the California Business and Professions Code expressly…
U.S. Supreme Court Announces New Standard for Interpreting FLSA Exemptions
Executive Summary Rejecting a ruling by the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and nearly fifty years of prior court…
Speaking Engagements
Presented at a Virtual Northwest Human Resources Council Meeting, October 14, 2020
10.14.20
Events
Employment Virtual Seminar Series: Employment Issues in 2020 & Beyond
9.15.20
The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic complications have impacted employees and management in numerous ways. In response, the…
Complimentary Webinar: Opening Up the Workplace Again - Bringing Employees Back to Work
5.26.20
Recently, President Trump unveiled "Guidelines for Opening Up America Again." The Guidelines are designed to help state and local officials…
2017 Employment, Labor & Benefits Group Complimentary Seminar
9.28.17
EMPLOYMENT, LABOR & BENEFITS GROUP COMPLIMENTARY SEMINAR Continental breakfast will be provided. Topics: The Trump Administration's…
News
Masuda Funai Hosted the 2024 Employment Seminar
Masuda, Funai, Eifert & Mitchell, Ltd. hosted its annual Employment Seminar on Thursday, September 19, 2024, at the DoubleTree Hotel in…
Masuda Funai Hosted the 2023 Employment Seminar
On September 21, 2023, Masuda Funai held its Annual Employment Seminar at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Arlington Heights, IL. This…
Masuda Funai Hosted the 2022 Employment Seminar
Masuda, Funai, Eifert & Mitchell, Ltd. hosted its annual Employment Seminar on Thursday, September 22, 2022. Approximately 96 executives…
John Stanis Presented at a Virtual Northwest Human Resources Council Meeting
On Tuesday, October 14, 2020, John Stanis, Principal of Masuda Funai, presented at a virtual Northwest Human Resources Council (NHRC)…
Masuda Funai Hosts 2019 Employment Seminar
Masuda, Funai, Eifert & Mitchell, Ltd. hosted its annual Employment Seminar on Thursday, September 26, 2019. Approximately 110 executives…
Masuda Funai Hosts 2019 Litigation Practice Group Seminar
On April 18, 2019, Masuda Funai hosted its Litigation Practice Group seminar to assist clients in protecting their company assets, both…
Masuda Funai Hosts 2018 Employment Seminar
Masuda, Funai, Eifert & Mitchell, Ltd. hosted its annual Employment Seminar on Thursday, September 27, 2018. Approximately 120 executives…
Masuda Funai Obtains $5.77M Judgment against Client's Former President, Robert W. Neal, and Defeats His Claims of National Origin and Race Discrimination
On July 6, 2018, a team of Masuda Funai litigators, led by John Stanis, obtained an order from the Second Judicial District Court of…
Publications
"Opening Up Your Workplace Again – Part 3" - BizBuddy, May 2020
Distinctions