Overview
Other Pursuits
"Outside of the office, I am a history buff, a hacker (at golf), and a hiker. I am a member of St. Francis Xavier Parish (La Grange, Illinois) and the University Club of Chicago."
— Pete Steinmeyer
Focus Areas
Services
Industries
Trending Issues
Experience
- Defeated multimillion-dollar claims against a financial services company including breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, fraudulent concealment, and tortious interference. At trial, Pete systematically whittled down the case to show it had no merit, ultimately compelling the court to issue a directed verdict or finding in favor of his clients on all claims. The plaintiffs received nothing.
- Defeated efforts to prevent three individuals from assuming new positions at a competing oil industry company. At trial, Pete confronted difficult facts to prove that the plaintiff overreached, with the end result being that the individuals were allowed to assume their new positions.
- Represented a manufacturing industry client in a trade secret misappropriation case in which, through dogged discovery, Pete ultimately convinced the court to issue a default judgment and award nearly $300,000 in attorney’s fees and costs as a sanction for evidence spoliation and lying under oath.
- Defeated a five-count complaint against two former insurance industry employees and their new employer for alleged violations of restrictive covenants, alleged tortious interference, and alleged trade secret misappropriation. Pete focused on the real-world implications of the facts and succeeded in proving the plaintiff was overreaching. He got the case dismissed and then argued and won on appeal.
- Defeated reverse discrimination claims against a financial services firm. The day after Pete took the plaintiff’s deposition, the plaintiff voluntarily dismissed his case and received nothing.
- Argued and won Contempo Design, Inc. v. Chicago & N.E. IL Dist. Council of Carpenters, 226 F.3d 535 (7th Cir. 2000) (en banc). Following a victory at trial and even though he was just 10 years out of law school, Pete convinced the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit to affirm an award of $445,000 against the carpenters’ union for an illegal strike and a declaration that a collective bargaining agreement signed to end the illegal strike was null and void. This was the only en banc decision issued by the Seventh Circuit in 2000.
Recognition
- The Best Lawyers in America©: Employment Law—Management and Labor Law—Management (2016 to 2025), "Lawyer of the Year" for Employment Law–Management, Chicago (2023)
- Chambers USA: The World's Leading Lawyers for Business: Illinois—Labor & Employment, "Leader in Their Field" (2022 to 2024)
- Crain's: Notable Leaders in Employment & Labor Law (2023)
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce Tony Reinhart Champion of Free Enterprise Award (2023)
- Illinois Super Lawyers: Employment & Labor: Employer (2006 to 2024)
- The Legal 500 United States: Labor and Employment Disputes (Including Collective Actions): Defense (2021); Trade Secrets (Litigation and Non-Contentious Matters) (2024)
- Leading Lawyers: Employment Law: Management and Trade Secrets/Unfair Competition Law (2013 to 2021)
- Martindale-Hubbell®: Rated “AV Preeminent”
Key Publications
A sampling of Pete's recent publications includes:
- "Expert Q&A on Legal Challenges to the FTC's Non-Compete Ban" (coauthor), Thomson Reuters Practical Law (July 2024)
- "Expert Q&A on the FTC's Final Rule Banning Post-Employment Non-Competes" (coauthor), Thomson Reuters Practical Law (April 2024)
- “Trade Secrets Litigation” (coauthor), Thomson Reuters Practical Law (Jan. 2024)
- “Preparing for Non-Compete Litigation” (coauthor), Thomson Reuters Practical Law (Jan. 2024)
- “Garden Leave Provisions in Employment Agreements” (coauthor), Thomson Reuters Practical Law (Jan. 2024)
- “Non-Compete Laws: Illinois” (coauthor), Thomson Reuters Practical Law (Oct. 2023)
- “Trade Secret Laws: Illinois” (coauthor), Thomson Reuters Practical Law (Aug. 2023)
- “Lights, Camera … Trade Secrets Action” (coauthor), Thomson Reuters Westlaw Today (April 2023)
- "Expert Q&A on the FTC’s Proposed Rule Banning Employee Non-Competes" (coauthor), Thomson Reuters Practical Law (Feb. 2023)
- “Ethical Issues for Attorneys Related to Restrictive Covenants” (coauthor), Thomson Reuters Practical Law (Aug. 2022)
- "A Vaccine for ‘Normal,’ but Legal Issues to Consider for Employers" (coauthor), Chicago Daily Law Bulletin (April 26, 2021)
- "Trade Secrets Law 25 Years After PepsiCo Disclosure Case" (coauthor), Law360 (Jan. 2021)
- “Hiring from a Competitor: Practical Tips to Minimize Litigation Risk” (coauthor), Thomson Reuters Practical Law (May 2020)
- "The Future of Force Majeure in Employment Contracts” (coauthor), Law360 (April 2020)
- “Expert Q&A on Biometrics in the Workplace: Recent Developments and Trends” (coauthor), Thomson Reuters Practical Law (Feb. 2018)
- “Developing a Plan for Employee Departures in California,” IPWatchdog (June 27, 2017)
Spilling Secrets Podcast Series
Pete is a co-host of Spilling Secrets, a podcast series on the future of trade secrets and non-compete law. Each episode features an all-star panel of attorneys talking about real-life problems, developments, and strategies when dealing with trade secrets, non-competes, and other types of restrictive covenants.
Credentials
Education
- University of Chicago Law School (J.D., 1990)
- University of Virginia (B.A., 1987)
Bar Admissions
- Illinois
- Missouri
Court Admissions
- Supreme Court of the United States
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
- U.S. District Court, Central District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Indiana
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas
Professional & Community Involvement
- Chicago Council of Lawyers (President, 2009 - 2010)
- Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission Hearing Board (2013 – 2022)
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce: Board of Directors; Employment Law & Litigation Committee
- Illinois State Bar Association
- Thomson Reuters Practical Law’s Labor & Employment Service, Advisory Board
Events
Past Events
- January 27, 2023
- November 30, 2022
- November 29, 2022
Media
Insights
Insights
- PublicationsLegal Challenges to the FTC’s Non-Compete Ban2 minute read
- Media CoveragePeter Steinmeyer Quoted in “Fight Over Health Noncompete Pacts Far from Over”3 minute read
- Media CoverageStuart Gerson, Erik Weibust, Peter Steinmeyer Quoted in “Will the FTC Non-Compete Ban Happen? Physicians Await Uncertain ...7 minute read
- Firm Announcements
Epstein Becker Green Attorneys Honored for Excellence in the Legal Profession by Best Lawyers 2025
14 minute read - PublicationsExpert Q&A on Legal Challenges to the FTC's Non-Compete Ban4 minute read
- BlogsTeeing-Up a Circuit Split on the FTC’s Noncompete Rule: Pennsylvania Judge Diametrically Opposes Earlier Decision by ...10 minute read
- PublicationsFederal Court Grants Temporary Stay of FTC Noncompete Rule but Limits Scope (for Now) to Named Parties12 minute read
- Firm Announcements
Epstein Becker Green Receives National Recognition and Top Rankings in the 2024 Edition of Legal 500
3 minute read - Firm Announcements
Epstein Becker Green Honored for Exceptional Performance in Key Practice Areas by Chambers USA 2024
5 minute read - Media CoveragePete Steinmeyer Quoted in “What Employers Need to Know About the FTC Noncompete Ban”2 minute read
- Media CoveragePete Steinmeyer Quoted In “The Truth About the New Non-Compete Ban for Banks & Hedge Funds”3 minute read
- PublicationsExpert Q&A on the FTC's Final Rule Banning Post-Employment Non-Competes3 minute read
- BlogsChamber of Commerce and Others Swiftly File Lawsuits Seeking to Enjoin and Vacate the FTC’s Noncompete Rule7 minute read
- BlogsThe FTC Finally Pulls the Trigger on a Final Noncompete Rule, with a Few Changes, but Remains Unlikely to Ever Hit Its Target ...7 minute read
- Media CoveragePeter Steinmeyer Quoted in “New Ban on Noncompetes Could Have Big Impact on Health Care”4 minute read
- Media CoveragePeter Steinmeyer Quoted in “Businesses Face ‘Seismic Shift’ After FTC Bans Noncompetes. Here’s What They Should Do ...2 minute read
- Media CoveragePeter Steinmeyer Quoted in “For Traders, the FTC Ban on Non-Competes Comes with Big Catches”2 minute read
- PublicationsHow to Deal with Controversial Commentary: Guidance and Guardrails for Employers3 minute read
- Media CoveragePeter Steinmeyer Quoted in “Tully Rinckey's Atty Contracts Offer Warning to Other Firms”2 minute read
- Firm Announcements
Five Epstein Becker Green Attorneys Named to the 2024 Illinois Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists
3 minute read - PublicationsTrade Secrets Litigation—2024 Update2 minute read
- PublicationsPreparing for Non-Compete Litigation—2024 Update2 minute read
- PublicationsGarden Leave Provisions in Employment Agreements—2024 Update4 minute read
- PublicationsMaking Sense of New Paid Leave Obligations in Illinois – Coming SOON26 minute read
- Firm Announcements
Epstein Becker Green’s Pete Steinmeyer Honored in Crain’s 2023 Notable Leaders in Employment & Labor Law
1 minute read - PublicationsDealing with Controversial Commentary? Some Guidance and Guardrails for Employers19 minute read
- PublicationsNon-Compete Laws: Illinois – Q&A Guide for Employers, 2023 Update2 minute read
- PublicationsTrade Secret Laws: Illinois – Q&A Guide for Employers, 2023 Update1 minute read
- BlogsTrade Secret Laws: Illinois – Q&A Guide for Employers, 2023 Update1 minute read
- BlogsIllinois Requires Comparable Pay for Temporary Workers3 minute read
- PublicationsIllinois Legislative Update: Big Changes for Employers26 minute read
- Firm Announcements
Epstein Becker Green Attorneys Recognized by 2024 Best Lawyers for Excellence in the Legal Profession
12 minute read - BlogsAn Update on the New York Noncompete Ban: It Is Unlikely the Governor Will Sign It Anytime Soon5 minute read
- Media Coverage
Peter Steinmeyer Featured in Practical Law Advisory Board Member Q&A
4 minute read - Firm Announcements
Epstein Becker Green Recognized for Focused Excellence Across Core Practice Areas in Chambers USA 2023
5 minute read - BlogsIllinois Court Requires Express Delineation of Any Non-Employment Consideration for a Restrictive Covenant3 minute read
- BlogsChicago’s Amended “Ban the Box” Ordinance Imposes Stricter Criminal History Use and Notification Requirements on ...5 minute read
- PublicationsLights, Camera … Trade Secrets Action2 minute read
- Media Coverage
Peter Steinmeyer, Erik Weibust Quoted in “SHRM Objects to Banning Noncompete Agreements”
4 minute read - Firm AnnouncementsEpstein Becker Green Launches 50-State Noncompete Survey for Employers3 minute read
- PublicationsIllinois Employers: Paid Leave “for Any Reason” Is Coming! What You Must Know10 minute read
- BlogsFTC Announces Public Forum on Proposed Noncompete Ban2 minute read
- PublicationsExpert Q&A on the FTC’s Proposed Rule Banning Employee Non-Competes3 minute read
- PublicationsRestrictive Covenants: Ethical Issues for Attorneys2 minute read
- PublicationsGarden Leave Provisions in Employment Agreements—2023 Update3 minute read
- PublicationsPreparing for Non-Compete Litigation—2023 Update2 minute read
- PublicationsTrade Secrets Litigation—2023 Update3 minute read
- Blogs100 Industry Organizations Request Extension of Comment Period on FTC’s Proposed Noncompete Ban2 minute read
- Firm Announcements
Five Epstein Becker Green Attorneys Named to the 2023 Illinois Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists
3 minute read - BlogsComments to the FTC’s Proposed Noncompete Ban Due March 20, 2023 – and the Comment Period May Be Extended Another 60 Days ...2 minute read