Richard Polony concentrates his litigation and counseling practice in the areas of complex commercial litigation and general corporate matters. Mr. Polony advises and represents clients in a broad range of matters involving contract disputes, business torts, real estate, unfair competition, consumer fraud, employee theft and fidelity insurance and class actions. He has extensive knowledge in investigating and litigating employee theft and fidelity insurance claims; investigating and prosecuting securities fraud claims on behalf of investors; representing financial institutions in commercial loan workouts and enforcement of remedies as to collateral and guarantors; and various disputes concerning the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) including but not limited to sales, negotiable instruments, banking, and secured transactions.

He has tried cases to verdict arising out of misappropriation of trade secrets, breach of fiduciary duties, shareholder disputes, breach of contract and real estate matters.

Mr. Polony has substantial experience in state and federal courts (including bankruptcy), and has handled matters in Illinois, Missouri, Minnesota, Indiana and Texas. Mr. Polony joined Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP in March 1995. He is a member of the firm’s Executive Committee and Co-Chair of the firm’s Hispanic Affinity Network. Mr. Polony is active professionally and is a member of the Hispanic National Bar Association, the Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois, the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Fidelity and Surety Committee of the American Bar Association. He is a past member of the ABA’s Minority Involvement and Young Professionals Subcommittees, and served as Co-Vice Chair of the Chicago Bar Association's Corporation and Business Law Committee.

Prior to entering the legal profession, he developed an expertise in finance while working for Fortune 100 companies in both the insurance and telecommunications industries.

Mr. Polony holds the BV® Distinguished™ Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell for ethics and legal ability.

He speaks Spanish fluently. Mr. Polony has written and presented on numerous legal topics. His presentations include:

• “Article 4A Picks Winners and Losers When a Corporation’s Funds Disappear Electronically,” Travelers Insurance seminar, Hartford, Connecticut, September 2009.
• “Checks, Fraud and the Uniform Commercial Code,” CUNA Mutual Group seminar, Madison, Wisconsin, September 2006.
• “Commercial Cases: Evaluation, Preparation and Litigation,” Chicago Bar Association, June 2000.

He has been published on a variety of topics. His articles include:

• “A Strict Application of Uniform Commercial Code’s Statute of Limitations to Claims for Conversion of Negotiable Instruments Promotes the Goals and Objectives of the Code,” IACD Fidelity and Surety Committee Newsletter, May 2005.
• "When Does a Bribe or Kickback Become a 'Loss' Under a Fidelity Bond," co-author with Hinshaw partner Donald L. Mrozek, IADC Fidelity and Surety Committee Newsletter, May 2001.
• “Third-Party Losses and the 'Manifest Intent' Requirement,” co-author with Hinshaw partner Donald L. Mrozek, Fidelity & Surety Committee Newsletter, July 1997.
• "Use of Performance and Payment Bonds in Municipal Construction" Institute for Local Government Law, 1996.

Spanish