Jane M. May's Profile Image

Jane M. May

Partner
Phone: (224) 406-8401
vCard

Jane May is a partner at OKGC Law, LLC and has been with the firm since 1999. Jane focuses her practice on employment law, civil rights law, and municipal liability defense.

Jane has extensive litigation and client counseling experience. Prior to joining OKGC, she was an associate at two major litigation firms in Chicago. She regularly counsels clients on best practices with respect to employment policies and trains clients on Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Open Meetings Act (OMA) compliance. She has successfully defended municipal clients in federal and state trial and appellate courts against First Amendment, Fourth Amendment, Due Process, Equal Protection, Title VII, ADA, FMLA, FOIA, OMA, and tort law claims.

Areas of Focus

  • Employment Law
  • Civil Rights Law
  • Municipal Liability Defense
  • General Tort Defense

Education

  • Boston College Law School, J.D., 1991
  • University of Chicago, B.A., 1988

Representative Cases

Illinois Supreme Court:

  • DeSmet v. County of Rock Island et. al., 219 Ill.2d 497 (2006). Obtained dismissal of wrongful death claim against defendant-county on the basis of tort immunity. Ruling affirmed on appeal by both the appellate court and Illinois Supreme Court in this seminal case addressing immunity for police protection services under Section 4-102 of the Tort Immunity Act.

Illinois Appellate Court:

  • Barner v. Fairburn, 2019 IL APP (3d) 180742. Secured dismissal of FOIA claim against defendant city. Affirmed on appeal.
  • Quick Stop Food Shop, Inc. v. Village of Cahokia, 12-MR-192 (Cir. Ct., St. Clair County). Secured dismissal of claims against village for confiscation of liquor license. Affirmed on appeal. 2013 IL App (5th) 120423-U.
  • Hat Constr., Inc. v. County of Menard, 98 LM 23 (Cir. Ct., Menard County). Obtained dismissal of claims of indemnity against county. Affirmed on appeal. 326 Ill.App.3d 11183 (4th 2002)

Illinois Circuit Courts:

  • Glazier v. Perry County State’s Attorney, 18 MR 6 (Cir. Ct., Perry County). Obtained dismissal of claims asserting FOIA violation.
  • Channell v. County Bd. of Pike County, 18 MR 116 (Cir. Ct., Pike County). Secured dismissal of claims relating to re-zoning dispute.
  • Bullocks v. Cahokia Police Dept., 17 MR 295 (Cir. Ct., St. Clair County). Secured dismissal of claims alleging FOIA violations.
  • Jo Daviess Co., 14 CH 37 (Cir. Ct., Jo Daviess Co.) Obtained dismissal of claims alleging violations of the Open Meetings Act and Illinois Personnel Record Review Act, and secured summary judgment in favor of the defendant on FOIA claim.
  • Brown v. Kankakee Sch. Dist. Bd. of Ed, 12 L 1 (Cir. Ct., Kankakee County). Obtained dismissal of claims against defendant-regional office of education for negligence, willful and wanton conduct and violations of Family Expense Act.
  • Hausmann-McNally, S.C. v. Village of Manhattan, 11 MR 1142. Won summary judgment in favor of Village in case alleging violations of the Freedom of Information Act.
  • Donovan v. County of Bureau, et. al., 04 l 04 (Cir. Ct., Bureau County). Won dismissal of claims against county regarding operation of 9-1-1 system.

Illinois Human Rights Commission:

  • Buechsenschuetz v. Macon County, Charge No. 2009 SA 0071 (Ill. Hum. Rights Comm’n). Obtained dismissal of claim asserting age discrimination.

Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals:

  • Michalowicz v. Bedford Park, 528 F.3d 530 (7th 2008). Obtained dismissal of due process claims against defendant-village. Affirmed on appeal.

Federal District Courts:

  • Stallings v. Johnston City, 3:13-cv-00422-DRH-SCW (S. D. Ill.). Second chair at six-day jury trial. Secured judgment in favor of defendants on claims alleging violations of due process and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
  • Buraglio v. Village of Wapella, 13-3092 (C.D. Ill.). Obtained dismissal of First Amendment claim against County Clerk.
  • MedicOne v. Marion Co. ETSB, 11-cv-1067 (S.D. Ill). Secured dismissal of equal protection and tortious interference claims against 9-1-1 Board.
  • O’Leary v. Kaupas, 08 C 7246 (N.D. Ill.) Won summary judgment in favor of defendant-officer on sex discrimination claim pursuant to Section 1983.
  • Brett, N. v. CUSD No. 303, 08 C 3092 (N.D. Ill.). Obtained dismissal of claims against school district alleging violations of plaintiff’s constitutional rights to self-defense, equal protection and due process.
  • Kasak v. Bedford Park, 06 C 5119 (N.D. Ill.). Secured dismissal of First Amendment employment claim.
  • Robinson v. Lother, et. al., 04 C 2382 (N.D. Ill.). Secured dismissal of Fourth Amendment excessive force claims.
  • Griffin v. Ill. Liquor Control Comm’n, al., 01-3301 (C.D. Ill.). Won summary judgment in favor of liquor control commissioner on claims alleging race discrimination and due process violation.

Admissions

  • United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
  • United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
  • United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois
  • United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois
  • Illinois