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Jakob Gammons

Jakob is an associate at Heyl Royster’s Peoria office—a litigator who thrives under pressure and delivers results when it counts. Before joining the firm, he served as a prosecutor, advancing from traffic and DUI cases to leading high-stakes domestic violence prosecutions. This rich courtroom background sharpened his instincts and strategic mindset, powering his advocacy for clients in complex civil litigation, including casualty, tort, and business and commercial litigation.

Jakob’s approach is grounded in meticulous preparation, a discipline forged while balancing multiple jury dockets as a prosecutor. He treats every case as trial-ready, ensuring his clients benefit from strong, proactive representation from day one. His clients value Jakob’s clear communication, responsiveness, and genuine empathy—qualities honed while supporting victims of domestic violence and now central to every client relationship.

Respected by colleagues and judges for his diligence, drive, and positive attitude, Jakob brings enthusiasm and a sense of humor to his practice—always striving for excellence in every case. His insight into how high-stakes allegations are tried and resolved gives his clients a strategic edge—helping them assess risk, gain leverage, and achieve efficient, favorable outcomes.

Outside the office, Jakob is an avid moviegoer and has set a goal to learn to play the piano.

Sherita Glover

Sherita concentrates her law practice on professional liability, including medical and non-medical malpractice defense. She has vast experience defending medical groups, healthcare providers, hospitals, physicians and chiropractors, as well as nursing homes and long-term care facilities. Further, Sherita defends businesses, organizations and individuals in employment litigation, business litigation, products liability and premises liability cases. Additional representative experience includes defending common carrier negligence, personal injury and wrongful death cases. Sherita has also represented corporations and not-for-profit entities in a variety of matters.

In addition to litigating, Sherita has a background in corporate and Medicare compliance that included monitoring nationwide statutes, laws and regulations applied to minimize risks and ensure ethical compliance. Her experience also includes documentation examination, analysis and lien negotiation.

Practices

Education

Admissions

Languages

Jennifer Dickey

Jennifer Dickey is an associate in Dykema’s Chicago office. She advises organizations on artificial intelligence, data privacy, and related regulatory compliance matters. Jennifer assists clients in navigating complex privacy frameworks, developing practical compliance strategies, and implementing proactive risk management programs to align business operations with evolving legal and regulatory requirements.

Cliff Demosthene

Cliff Demosthene is of counsel at the firm’s Chicago office and a member of the Diversity Committee. He focuses his practice on commercial litigation, environmental and toxic tort, product liability, medical liability, and general liability. Cliff also litigates in the areas of professional liability, premises liability, construction, construction defect, employment, and subrogation. He has extensive experience litigating and negotiating a wide range of disputes and has tried cases to verdict in both civil and criminal courts.

Prior to joining CNA Insurance, Cliff represented clients in matters related to municipal representation, Chapter 7 bankruptcies, landlord-tenant disputes, and criminal defense.

Cliff is a member of several professional organizations, including the Chicago Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association, and Haitian American Lawyers Association.

Langdon Neal

Mr. Neal is a principal and owner of Neal & Leroy, LLC. He joined the family-owned firm in 1981, becoming the third generation of lawyers practicing in Chicago. Mr. Neal's practice concentrates in real estate, zoning, land use, and public and private finance. Mr. Neal is rated "AV" by Martindale-Hubbell and has been recommended by Leading Lawyers.

Representative Matters

More than 25 years of experience as General Counsel for the Public Building Commission of Chicago. Drafted and established procurement and construction strategies, along with corresponding documents and agreements, for the construction of over $1 billion in public facilities. Advised various municipal entities, boards, and commissions on governance, ethics, MBE/WBE compliance, and other organizational matters. Experienced litigation and trial attorney representing governmental entities and property owners in numerous condemnation matters. Represents property owners, major developers, and governmental entities in land use, zoning matters, and project finance.

Representative Matters

• Obtained a favorable verdict in the amount of $18 million on behalf of a client in an eminent domain trial

• Provided commercial, retail, residential, and industrial real estate transaction services, including purchase and sale contracts for major financial institutions

• Represented numerous real estate companies in development planning and municipal finance, including Tax Increment Financing (TIF)

• Managed rezoning of a planned development for reuse of property designated for a basketball arena and commercial/retail use as part of the McCormick Place expansion

• Represented Wal-Mart in site development and entitlement work for properties in Northern Illinois and Indiana

• Led the legal team in acquiring 600 parcels in connection with the expansion of Chicago O’Hare International Airport and CTA Orange, Brown, and Green Line expansion and redevelopment

• Defended Abbott Laboratories in an eminent domain proceeding involving approximately 10 acres of property, along with other public and private projects

• Represented Rush University Medical Center in closing a $100 million public finance entitlement for construction of a new hospital

• Serves as General Counsel to the Board of Trustees of a major university

Professional Activities

• Honorary Chair and Keynote Speaker, Mikva Challenge Foundation (May 2014)

• Moderator, Support the Voter, Joyce Foundation (April 2014)

• Lecturer, American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers

• Lecturer, Cook County Bar Association, Judicial Candidates Symposium

• "After School Matters" after-school programming for Chicago Public School students

• Black Ensemble Theater

• Jane Addams Juvenile Court Foundation

• High Jump, Academic Enrichment Program

• Chicago Board of Election Commissioners (Chairman, 1997 – Present)

• Chicago Bar Association

• Cook County Bar Association

• Illinois State Bar Association

• American Bar Association

Education

University of Illinois Law School, J.D., 1981

Cornell University, B.A., 1978

Honors and Awards

• Crain’s Who’s Who in Chicago Business (2016)

• Neal Family received 2016 Legendary Landmark Award (Legendary Landmark Neal Presentation)

• Featured as a Leading Lawyer in Leading Lawyers Magazine (January 2016 Edition)

• Featured in Best Lawyers 2016 Illinois Edition in Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law

• Listed as a Top Real Estate Attorney in Illinois (Super Lawyers Magazine, Illinois 2016)

• Matthew Maloney Tradition of Excellence Award (2010), Illinois State Bar Association General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Section

• High Jump, Richard J. Almeida Award (2010)