Irina Dashevsky concentrates her practice on advising clients in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry. Irina is also a seasoned commercial litigator with extensive experience managing and resolving disputes for clients throughout all stages of litigation in federal and state court.
Irina previously served as the Deputy Finance Director for The Competence Group, a political consulting firm specializing in campaign finance strategy for elected officials and candidates at the local, state and federal level.
Cannabis, Marijuana, CBD and Hemp
Irina is Co-Chair of Locke Lord’s Cannabis Industry Group and regularly advises clients on legislative developments and legal issues associated with operating within the state legal cannabis industry. Irina has advised clients on topics ranging from obtaining state-level licenses in multiple jurisdictions to cannabis product labeling and marketing, and developing appropriate internal policies and procedures. Irina frequently speaks and writes about cannabis-industry topics, and is a Co-Editor of the Firm’s Cannabis Law Blog.
Financial Services & Commercial Litigation
Irina’s litigation experience covers a wide range of areas, including insurance coverage defense, consumer finance defense, contract disputes, government contracts and regulation, gaming, real estate and complex mortgage foreclosures. Irina has extensive experience managing large scale discovery projects, including working with review platforms and clients to identify and cull data, developing a comprehensive review protocol, managing a review team and preparing document productions. Irina concentrates on representing financial institutions in individual and class action lawsuits arising under a myriad of state and federal consumer protection statutes, including the following:
- Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
- Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)
- Truth in Lending Act (TILA)
- Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA)
Representative Experience
Irina's experience includes:
- Secured a decision in favor of the Firm’s client against the Cook County Clerk's office after a bench trial before the U.S. District Court in Chicago. The verdict for the client is part of the Firm’s ongoing enforcement of the Shakman consent decrees prohibiting elected officials in Illinois from coercing employees and job applicants into making campaign contributions and doing political work in exchange for government jobs
- Representing multiple mortgage servicers in actions alleging TCPA, TILA, FDCPA and FCRA claims and violations of bankruptcy discharge injunctions
- Representing financial institution and landlords in various real estate-related litigation and transactions, including lease breaches, evictions and issues relating to REO property
- Represented gaming clients in precedent-setting cases involving the Illinois Video Gaming Act
- Advocated for a refinery in rulemaking proceedings before the Illinois Pollution Control Board
- Represents insurance companies in complex insurance coverage disputes, particularly in environmental claims litigation in state and federal courts across the country
Professional History
- Managing Associate, Litigation, Dentons US LLP, Chicago (2011-2015)
- Deputy Finance Director, The Competence Group (TCG) (2001-2011)
Professional Affiliations and Recognitions
- Chair, Steering Committee, Chicago Bar Association Leadership Institute
- Member, Illinois Women in Cannabis
- Named, Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, Commercial Litigation (2021)