Karina Zabicki DeHayes is a partner who in 2008 was named in the Law Bulletin’s “40 Under Forty” -Illinois attorneys to watch.  For three consecutive years beginning in 2009, Ms. DeHayes was named an Illinois "Rising Star" by her peers in SuperLawyers® Magazine, a distinction reserved for the top 2.5% of Illinois lawyers who are under 40 or in practice for 10 years or less.  She has represented a “Fortune 500” company, national trade show organizations, telecommunications companies, retail property groups, state government officials, former executives of large and small corporations, and other clients in the areas of complex commercial litigation, appellate law and local governmental law, in Illinois state and federal courts.

Ms. DeHayes has participated in all aspects of litigation, from strategy development, to taking and defending depositions, drafting and arguing dispositive motions, and working out favorable settlements for her clients.

Her experience includes cases involving breach of contract, real estate litigation, statutory and common law unfair competition and fraud, defamation, golden parachute litigation, breach of fiduciary duty, and professional malpractice. She has been admitted as a member of the Federal Trial Bar for the Northern District of Illinois.

Ms. DeHayes earned her J.D. degree from Loyola University of Chicago School of Law. She was a member of the Loyola Consumer Law Review and participated in Loyola’s Moot Court Program, and received an award for Best Oral Advocate at the regional competition. In 1996, Ms. DeHayes served as a legal extern to the Honorable George M. Marovich of the Federal District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

Ms. DeHayes received a B.A. degree in History at the University of Michigan, graduating with distinction in 1995.

Ms. DeHayes joined Tabet DiVito & Rothstein in March 2001. Since that time, she has participated in the following cases:

• Defended Fortune 500 company in federal lawsuit alleging breach of a sales contract for the sale of five corporate properties.  Following a bench trial, the court denied plaintiff's request for a preliminary injunction enjoining the properties' sale to another bidder.
• Assisted minority members of a limited liability company to avoid unfair sale and potential squeeze-out related to company's investment in a commercial office building; achieved successful outcome without filing suit.
• Primary counsel in the successful representation of a former principal of a closely held corporation. On reconsideration of the matter, the trial court reversed summary judgment entered against him and entered summary judgment in his favor instead. The appellate court affirmed on appeal following a successful petition for rehearing.
• Co-counsel in the successful representation of a national trade show organization in a federal lawsuit which culminated in a five-week jury trial.
• Co-counsel in the successful constitutional challenge to a state-wide tax on cellular telecommunications customers within the state of Illinois. The decision invalidating the tax was affirmed by the Illinois Supreme Court.
• Co-counsel in the successful appeal on behalf of a large accounting firm sued for professional negligence.
• Co-counsel in the successful representation of a former Chief Executive Officer of a large corporation in a golden parachute case.

Ms. DeHayes is the First Vice President of the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois and a member of the Board of Directors of the Women’s Bar Foundation. She also is a member of the Chicago Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association, and American Bar Association.