Esquivel Law, Chartered

05/24/2026

In observance of Memorial Day, our office will be closed on Monday, May 25, as we honor and remember those who served and gave their lives in service to our nation.

We will resume normal business hours on Tuesday.

05/15/2026

Unofficially Hug a Freight Broker Day: Yesterday the Supreme Court issued a decision that is going to fundamentally change the entire industry. Brokers can now be held liable for negligence in selecting carriers. The landscape, including skyrocketing insurance rates, is going to change fundamentally.

As the author notes, “The Supreme Court told the freight industry …. If you pick the carrier, you own the choice. Document it. Defend it. Or answer for it.”

The Supreme Court ruled unanimously today that state negligent-hiring claims against freight brokers are not preempted by the FAAAA. Twenty-eight thousand brokers just woke up in a different legal universe.

04/28/2026

In October 2023, our firm argued a case before a three-judge panel at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit at the Everett McKinley Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago.

Oral argument before a federal appellate court is one of the most significant milestones in a legal career. But what made this trip extraordinary wasn't just the argument — it was the team that showed up for it.

Our paralegal Colleen flew in from Pennsylvania. Our legal assistant and Mexican-licensed attorney Berenice traveled from Mexico. Our client made the trip from Seattle. Co-counsel Michael Connick came from Ohio, along with digital evidence expert and attorney Carlos Baradat from Florida. It was the first time Colleen, Berenice, and I had ever been in the same room together — and for both of them, it was their first visit to Chicago.

We set up a war room at the Palmer House Hilton. We watched en banc arguments the days before. We prepped, we prepared, and then we walked into that 30-story courthouse and did the work.

When it was over, we celebrated. Because that's what you do when your team travels across time zones and borders to stand with you.

This is Post #2 in our Gavel Gals Across America series — a look at the federal courthouses we've had the privilege of visiting and practicing in across the country.

04/22/2026

This Earth Day, we're proud to be part of the change.

At Esquivel Law Chartered, going paperless was never just about efficiency — it was a conscious decision to reduce our footprint while continuing to serve our clients with the same dedication and care.

Because the way we work matters. Small shifts in how we operate can make a real impact on the world around us.

Protecting our clients and protecting our planet can go hand in hand, and we wouldn't have it any other way.

04/22/2026

They schedule it, organize it, fix it, and somehow make it all look effortless.
Law firms don’t run without them.
Happy Administrative Professionals Day!

04/17/2026

Consumer Awareness Week (April 13–17, 2026) is often associated with product safety and consumer rights—but in the fresh produce industry, awareness starts much earlier. Long before fruits and vegetables reach store shelves, a complex supply chain—and the legal framework supporting it—helps ensure safety, quality, transparency, and trust.

Have questions about compliance in the produce industry? Let’s talk: [email protected]

04/13/2026

The best Scrabble players don't just know words — they know strategy. The same goes for great legal counsel. Happy National Scrabble Day!

04/08/2026

Recent updates to U.S. dietary guidelines are shifting the focus to “real food” — more whole foods, fewer ultra-processed options.

But what does that mean for everyday families?

This article explores the impact on habits, costs, and access. Check it out.

Explore how the new food pyramid and dietary guidelines are reshaping consumer behavior, grocery spending, and demand for protein, whole foods, and less processed products.

04/01/2026

The latest U.S. Dietary Guidelines are placing a stronger focus on whole, nutrient-dense foods—especially fruits and vegetables—making the produce supply chain more critical than ever.

Learn more in our latest post:

Every five years, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Health and Human Services release the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the federal government’s primary nutrition policy framework. These guidelines provide science-based recommendations designed to promote...

04/01/2026

I have a confession: I’m a federal courthouse nerd.

On a family trip to Yosemite, we made a slight detour… to visit one of the most remote federal courthouses in the country.

Yes—there’s a United States District Court inside Yosemite National Park. And yes, my family now fully expects these kinds of stops.

After 25+ years as a PACA and federal transportation attorney, I’ve spent a lot of time in federal courts across the country. Somewhere along the way, I started keeping track—and realized I want to see all of them.

So now it’s a thing. Every courthouse. Every circuit. Every trip—whether it’s for work or a family vacation that turns into a courthouse stop.

Does anyone else have a “work-related hobby” like this?