Yvonne C. Ocrant

Partner

Chicago, IL

"As a fellow equestrian and horse owner, my clients can rely on my personal and professional experience in obtaining knowledgeable and effective counsel and representation."

312-704-3080

Email eW9jcmFudEBoaW5zaGF3bGF3LmNvbQ==

Yvonne C. Ocrant

Partner

Chicago, IL

"As a fellow equestrian and horse owner, my clients can rely on my personal and professional experience in obtaining knowledgeable and effective counsel and representation."

312-704-3080

Email eW9jcmFudEBoaW5zaGF3bGF3LmNvbQ==

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About Yvonne

Yvonne established Hinshaw's equine law practice over two decades ago and is licensed to practice in Illinois, Florida, and Wisconsin. With a deep personal connection to equine sports, she represents horse owners, trainers, breeders, veterinarians, farriers, and equine-related businesses nationwide with the support of the firm’s team of licensed attorneys. Yvonne handles a wide range of equine litigation in both state and federal courts, including claims involving the Equine Activity Liability Act, and advises on risk management and dispute resolution in areas such as horse sales, personal injury, property damage, and contractual matters.

Yvonne drafts contracts for the purchase, sale, lease, and breeding of horses; creates equine activity liability releases for boarding and training facilities, trainers, transporters, and other individuals and entities providing sponsoring or participating in equine activities; and structures multi-owner entities supporting horse training and competitive development across disciplines. She has formed more than 350 syndicates in disciplines such as Show Jumping, Dressage, and Three-Day Eventing, often with the goal to match horses and riders for Olympic competition. As a certified mediator, Yvonne leverages her extensive understanding of the equine industry to drive effective settlement negotiations and alternative dispute resolution, actively seeking innovative out-of-court solutions.

Yvonne is widely published and a frequent lecturer in the area of equine law. She played a key role in the September 2011 revision of the stable keeper's lien section of the Illinois Innkeepers Lien Act, 770 ILCS 40/49, replacing a statute that had governed liens against boarded horses since 1897.

Areas of Focus

Industries:

Services:

Experience

Secured summary judgment in multiple Florida personal injury cases by successfully invoking the Florida Equine Activity Liability Act. In each case, the court found the plaintiff assumed the inherent risks of equine activities and that the firm's client did not act negligently or increase those inherent risks.

Recognition

DePaul University College of Law DePaul Law Review, Executive Editor

Credentials

Education

DePaul University College of Law, JD, 1999
Northern Illinois University, BA, 1995

Bar Admissions

Florida
Illinois
Wisconsin

Court Admissions

US District Court for the Southern District of Florida

Thought Leadership

Presentations

Yvonne speaks regularly on risk management and liability issues confronting participants throughout the equine industry. Some of the organizations and events she has presented before include, among many others:

Co-Presenter, "Wolf of Wall Street Legal Edition: Business Development," Hinshaw University, CLE Webinar, June 26, 2025
"Finding Your Practice Passion," Hinshaw University, CLE Webinar, April 24, 2024
22nd Annual National Conference on Equine Law
Alfred Rubin Center
American Quarter Horse Association Annual Convention

Chicago Bar Association Animal Law Committee
Dover Saddlery
Equestrian Lifestyle Expo & Holiday Market
EquestrianProfessional.com
Eventing Owners Task Force Reception
Five Ring Stables, LLC/Carter Eventing
Fox River Valley Pony Club Horsemasters Unmounted Clinic, Barrington Hills Riding Center
George H. Morris Gladstone Program
Hinshaw and Northern Trust's Equine Law and Estate Planning Seminar
Hinshaw's Labor & Employment Seminar
HITS Thermal
Horse Promoters Seminar
Illinois Horse Fair
McHenry County Horse Club
NARHA Illinois State Meeting
New Lenox
No Boundaries Educational Program, Florida Horse Park
North Phoenix Bar Association
Ocala Jockey Club International Three-Day Event
Palm Beach International Equestrian Center
"The Plaidcast," Presented by The Plaid Horse
Purina Mills Horse Owner's Workshop and Equine Law Seminar
Purina National Ambassador Meeting
Purina Professional Horse Owner Meeting
Purina Professional Horse Owner VIP Meeting
Southern Illinois University Equine Science Department
Southern Kettle Moraine Horse Trails Association
Spruce Creek Trails Association
Trail Riders of DuPage
United States Dressage Federation Young Rider Graduate Program
United States Eventing Association Annual Convention
United States Eventing Association Area IV Annual Meeting
University of Illinois Extension Abandoned Horses Conference
University of Illinois Extension Kankakee County Stable Owners and Stable Managers Workshop
University of Minnesota Equine Extension Program

Publications

Equine Activity Liability Acts

"Understanding Equine Activity Liability and Minimizing Your Risk... Keep Doing What You Are Doing, Just Do It Better," Equine and Canine News, Fall 2019
"The Purpose of the Equine Acts," The Midwest Equestrian, Spring 2018

Co-Author, "Transferring Your Equine Liability Risk to Another Party," University of Minnesota Equine Extension Newsletter, Vol. 15, No. 3, March 2018; republished by Farm Forum, March 19, 2018
Co-Author, "Limiting Your Equine Liability Under Minnesota Law," University of Minnesota Equine Extension Newsletter, Vol. 15, No. 2, February 2018; republished by Farm Forum, February 5, 2018
Co-Author, "Understanding Minnesota's Equine Liability Statute," University of Minnesota Equine Extension Newsletter, Vol. 15, No. 1, January 2018; republished by Farm Forum, January 8, 2018
"Three Days, Three Ways, One Law," EventingUSA, May/June 2017
"Equine Liability Law Keeps Dangerous Sport in Stride," Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, May 16, 2017
"Equine Liability Law Raises Concerns, Questions From Horse Enthusiasts," Wisconsin Horsemen's News, May 2013
"Can My Liability Protection Under the Equine Act Differ From State to State?" From the Horse's Mouth, September 2009

Other Laws Impacting the Equine Industry

Co-Author, Chapter 35, "Equine Business Transactions," Introduction to the Elgar Concise Encyclopedia of Animal Law, July 2025
Co-Author, "Animal Law for Insurance Lawyers," ABA's Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Law Journal, Fall 2019
"There Is No Such Thing As a Free Horse," The Midwest Equestrian, Summer 2019
"Parental waivers, indemnity depends on your state," Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, August 31, 2018
"Reliable Releases," The Midwest Equestrian, Summer 2018
"Equestrian Liens have as much Kick as all Other Liens," Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, May 30, 2018
"Recent Developments in Animal Tort and Insurance Law," Animal Law Annual Survey, Winter 2017
"Resolving Equine Legal Disputes Without Kicking up a Fuss," Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, October 17, 2017
"Equestrian Helmet Laws: Are You In or Out?" Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, August 30, 2017
"Adding a Horse to a Sport Behooves New Legal Questions," Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, March 29, 2016
Co-Author, "Recent Developments in Animal Tort and Insurance Law," American Bar Association's Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Law Journal, Winter 2011, Fall 2012
"Equestrian Helmet Laws: Are You in or out?" Horse Council Courier, Vol. 2, Summer 2010; From the Horse's Mouth, June 2010
"To Lien or Not to Lien . . . an Update on the Stable Keepers Lien Law," From the Horse's Mouth, 2011
"The Debate on Equine Dentistry: Should the Vet be a Dentist or the Dentist be a Vet?" From the Horse's Mouth, May 2009
"Liability Under the Animal Control Act: Was the Horse Provoked and Does It Matter?" From the Horse's Mouth, February 2009

Equestrian Olympic Sport Issues

"Changes to keep young athletes safe, but at what price?" Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, October 21, 2019
"Sports world takes step to protect athletes, but more work needed," Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, August 20, 2019
"Equestrian Arts Make Olympic Cut, Others Hope for the Same," Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, September 27, 2016
"Equestrian Advocates Debate Change and Olympics," Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, May 31, 2016

Author of "HEADS UP!" articles on various equine law-related issues published from 2003‒2012 in Scribe, a monthly magazine sponsored by the Illinois Dressage and Combined Training Association. Yvonne's articles include:

"An Introduction to the Illinois Equine Activity Liability Act"
"Fearful Forms: The Dangers of Unedited Liability Releases"
"Get It Insured"
"Home Is Where Your Horse Is—But Is Homeowner's Insurance Enough?"
"How Can My Care Live on?—Answers to Your Questions About the New Illinois Pet Trust Law"
"How the Law Becomes the Law, and the Implications of Kush v. Wentworth"
"How to Own Your Own"
"Insure Against Insurance Mistakes"
"Is Your Horse Attractive in Illinois"
"It's a Small World After All: Equine Issues Across State Lines"
"Liability Under the Animal Control Act: Was the Horse Provoked and Does It Matter?"
"Litigate or Mediate? How Should You Resolve Your Equine Related Dispute?"
"Release and Indemnification Agreements for Minors: A Major Concern"
"Take It Outside—Resolving Equine Legal Disputes out of Court"
"To Lien or Not to Lien: Recovery for Unpaid Equine Related Services"
"Trainer? Coach?: Who Are You and Why Should You Care? Understanding the Trainer Responsibility Rule"
"Trainers and Owners: Same Team, Different Rules?"
"Understanding Barn Liability for Injury to Boarded Horses—The Three B's"
"What Happens When . . . My Horse Gets Loose and Causes Damages or Injuries to Other People or Property?"
"Write Before You Ride: A Few Useful Tips on Horse Trailering Agreements"

Events

Yvonne Ocrant and Tom Luetkemeyer to Present at Ocala Jockey Club, Nov 14, 2019
Yvonne Ocrant to Present "Equine Law 101" at Purina's Equine Educational Event Series in California, Oct 17, 2019
Yvonne Ocrant Presents Equine Law Webinar on Equine Activity Liability Act, Oct 2, 2017
Equine Law 101, Mar 16, 2013
Hinshaw Attorneys Present Alongside The Northern Trust for Florida Equine Event, Feb 22, 2011

In The News

Press Release

Yvonne Ocrant’s Efforts Lead to Revisions of Illinois Equine Legislation, Sep 12, 2011

Webinar

Yvonne Ocrant and Suzanne Jones to Present on Equine Activity Liability, Mar 20, 2018

View all of Yvonne's Insights

Interests

Did you know...

Yvonne rides and competes with her horses in Three-Day Eventing in Ocala, Florida, and trains daily in CrossFit as part of her ongoing fitness goals.

Community/Civic Activities

United States Evening Association, Board of Governors, Legal Committee Chair