Scott Nemanich has a diverse legal practice with significant experience in the areas of school law, government relations, real estate and taxation, as well as corporate transactional matters.

A substantial portion of Mr. Nemanich’s work involves the representation of school districts. He is recognized by school districts around the country for his expertise in Section 8002 funding for federally impacted school districts.

Mr. Nemanich also handles various labor matters, including unfair labor practices, grievances and collective bargaining. He has negotiated contracts with the Illinois Education Association, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Fireman & Oilers Union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and Service Employees International Union.

Mr. Nemanich is a registered lobbyist, representing clientele before both the state legislature and the United States Congress.

He represents homeowners associations, handles matters involving real estate taxation (an area in which he is a recognized expert), and also counsels individual clients in estate planning matters.

In addition, Mr. Nemanich represents business clients in corporate matters, such as the sale and purchase of various businesses. He has also represented a telecommunications company in negotiations with foreign nations, including Belarus, Djibouti and Tonga.

Finally, Mr. Nemanich has also served as a negotiator at both the state and federal levels, and throughout his career he has been known for his ability to break through bureaucratic log jams on behalf of both public and private clientele. Mr. Nemanich joined Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP in December 1996. A former chief prosecutor for the Will County State’s Attorney’s office, he once headed the juvenile division and later the civil division of that office. As chief of the juvenile division, Mr. Nemanich handled more cases than any juvenile prosecutor before or since. In addition, an independent study commissioned by the City of Joliet found that juvenile recidivism decreased during the time that he served in that capacity. As chief of the civil division, Mr. Nemanich was the first to successfully prosecute an individual under the drug paraphernalia law of the State of Illinois and was the first to successfully defend a county’s denial of a landfill expansion.

Mr. Nemanich has been recognized as a Leading Lawyer in the category of School Law, and has been rated by Martindale-Hubbell for ethics and legal ability. Mr. Nemanich has frequently spoken on topics and issues that reflect his wide-ranging practice. Reflecting his real estate taxation expertise, he has twice given lectures to the International Association of Assessment Officials regarding the role of taxing bodies in the taxation process. He has also spoken over the years to law enforcement officials on the use of force and juvenile law. Mr. Nemanich has also lectured on various topics for school districts and associations, including legal liability involving Internet use, student discipline, and sexual harassment. His presentations include:

• “Legal Issues Surrounding Student Discipline,” National Business Institute seminar, “Avoiding School Liability While Working with Students,” Oak Brook Terrace, Illinois, February 2006.
• “Student Suspension and Expulsion for Extraordinary Misconduct," National Business Institute seminar, “Avoiding School Liability While Working with Students,” Oak Brook Terrace, Illinois, February 2006.

Mr. Nemanich has received recognition for his achievements from a number of school districts, ranging in size from the Rockford School District to Taft Elementary and Trinity School for the handicapped, which named him its “Man of the Year” in 1983. Reflecting his work on behalf of children, Mr. Nemanich was appointed by the Governor of Illinois to the State’s Commission on Child Abuse and Neglect in 1981. A former Republican precinct committeeman, he was also appointed to and served on the Troy Township Planning Commission (1984-1987).

In addition to such professional community service, Mr. Nemanich has volunteered to help preserve the Plenemuk Indian Mound, and he worked with naturalist Dayton Hyde and actress Kim Novak in saving wildlife.