Partner
Joel Huotari is a partner at WilliamsMcCarthy LLP with a diverse practice in the state and federal courts. His clients range from individuals to multinational corporations. In addition to being admitted to practice in the state and federal courts throughout Illinois and Wisconsin, Joel is also a registered member of the Trial Bar of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, and routinely hears cases as an arbitrator participating in the Illinois 17th Judicial Circuit’s Court Annexed Mandatory Arbitration Program. Joel frequently serves as local counsel for attorneys from other jurisdictions and welcomes referrals.
J.D., Northern Illinois University College of Law, cum laude
B.A., Elmhurst College, magna cum laude
Prior to attending law school, Joel graduated with high honors from Elmhurst College and studied abroad at the University of Oxford. Joel is an honors graduate of the Northern Illinois University College of Law where he was Editor-in-Chief of the NIU Law Review. While a law student, Joel also had the privilege of working for the United States Attorney’s Office in Chicago, the Appellate Defender’s Office in Ottawa, and various state and federal judges. Following law school, Joel served for two years as law clerk to the Honorable P. Michael Mahoney of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
Joel has drawn on his extensive background to assist individuals and companies facing a variety of complex legal challenges. His experience includes:
Joel is active in the community, and has served on the board of directors for the Winnebago County Bar Association, Shelter Care Ministries (a non-profit dedicated to serving homeless families and adults suffering from mental illness), the Discovery Center Children’s Museum in Rockford, Illinois (rated by Forbes as one of the 12 best children’s museums in the country), and the Riverfront Museum Park.
Joel is also a member of the Wisconsin Bar Association’s Intellectual Property & Technology Law Section Board of Directors and a director and officer for the P. MICHAEL MAHONEY CHAPTER OF THE FEDERAL BAR ASSOCIATION.