BACK TO RESULTS

Hon. Bernetta D. Bush (Ret.)

In-person
Virtual

Home Office: Chicago, Illinois View More

Contact Case Manager

Overview
Practice Areas & Industries
- Administrative Law
- Arbitration
- Banking
- Business Commercial
- Civil Rights
- Class Action
- Education/Title IX
- Employment Law
- Environmental Law
- Insurance
- Labor
- Personal Injury
- Real Estate & Real Property
- Special Master/Discovery Referee
- Sports
Honors, Memberships and Professional Activities
Background Education
Locations
News & Insights
Events

Hon. Bernetta D. Bush (Ret.) is a seasoned dispute resolution professional with an arbitration career spanning nearly 20 years. Judge Bush has managed many consumer disputes, including those with self-represented parties. She is known for her ability to listen to both sides of a dispute and for her success in achieving fair, expeditious and effective resolutions for parties.

Judge Bush served with distinction in the Circuit Court of Cook County for over 15 years, ending her judicial career in the Chancery Division. This experience informs her approach as an arbitrator of commercial disputes across a wide variety of practice areas.

Prior to taking the bench, Judge Bush served as an ethics officer for both the City Colleges of Chicago and Chicago State University.

Representative Matters

On the bench and at JAMS, Judge Bush has handled a wide variety of matters, including:

Banking

Arbitrated dozens of consumer credit disputes, including breach of cardholder agreements, equal credit opportunity matters, collections actions, dispute of debt validity and default arbitration
Arbitrated matter involving breach of a consumer deposit agreement where bank had allegedly paid out unauthorized transactions after a reported theft; the underlying transactions also resulted in disputed overdraft fees
Arbitrated matter involving alleged improper closure of a consumer credit account
Arbitrated a breach of contract matter involving alleged violations of the Fair Credit Billing Act and Regulation Z, as well as violations of the cardholder agreement and the Illinois Consumer Fraud Act (ICFA)

Business Commercial

Mediated and settled a class action matter brought by franchisors of a national fast-food chain where Claimants alleged race had played a factor in franchise assignments
Arbitrated several breach of contract matters involving the purchase and sale of solar energy equipment between consumers and national home improvement retailers
Arbitrated warranty claim involving the purchase and sale of a motor vehicle
Arbitrated a claim involving failure to deliver clear title upon the sale of a motor vehicle; matter involved choice of law questions
Arbitrated a claim involving purchase and sale of a motor vehicle affected by an undisclosed salvage title
Arbitrated multiple matters for violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and the Deceptive Trade Practices Act (DTPA)
Arbitrated a multimillion, multi-party dispute between shareholders regarding valuation and dissolution of a manufacturing company
Arbitrated a valuation dispute between shareholders in a closely held wine distribution company
Arbitrated a multi-party dispute involving a wireless communication company and a competitor over cellular tower access
Adjudicated a matter concerning falsification of a deed and improper notary practices
Adjudicated breach of contract between high profile sports figure and owner of commercial retail shopping center
Adjudicated a dispute over heirship of a major Chicago newspaper

Class Action

Mediated and arbitrated claims pursuant to the Armstrong World Industries Asbestos Trust, a national class action involving asbestosis
“Class A” Claims Adjudicator, Pigford v. Glickman, a/k/a Black Farmers, a case in which a large group of African American farmers alleged that the US Department of Agriculture had discriminated against them with respect to government lending practices
Served as a Court-Appointed Neutral in a class action involving detention conditions of suspects detained in City of Chicago Police Stations
Mediated a class action involving warranty of a major window manufacturer
Mediated and settled nationwide class action involving price fixing in the music industry
Mediated and settled nationwide class action involving mislabeling of baby formula where the directions provided in Spanish resulted in incorrect preparation of the formula
Mediated and settled a class action involving a dispute with a major newspaper over circulation numbers in the Chicago area
Mediated and settled a national class action involving telephone service charges to hotel guests of a national chain
Mediated and settled a class action involving service fees associated with mail-order Chicago Cubs tickets

Education/Title IX

As a hearing officer and mediator, resolved sexual abuse and misconduct matters involving colleges and universities, including matters pursuant to Title IX
As an advocate, served on many Title IX matters for institutions of higher education
Mediated and settled ethics issues involving professors and administrators at universities and colleges
As a hearing officer, handled NCAA compliance issues for colleges and universities
Mediated racial and age discrimination matters with respect to university employment/admission
Adjudicated cases involving Special Education services for students with disabilities
Arbitrated disputes between students and a for–profit university

Employment Law

Arbitrated matter involving sexual harassment, sexual discrimination, retaliation, and interference with Worker’s Compensation benefits between an employee and a franchisee of a national fast food restaurant chain
Arbitrated a dispute over real estate commission schedule changes between an agent and her sponsoring real estate brokerage
Mediated or adjudicated numerous disputes involving restrictive covenants, and non-compete, non-solicitation and confidentiality clauses
Arbitrated disputes involving entitlements under employment contracts of high level executives
Mediated several law firm partnership and dissolution disputes
Served as an Arbitrator in cases involving wrongful termination, non-compete clauses and breach of employment agreements
Arbitrated numerous claims of wrongful termination
Mediated claims under the Illinois Wage Payment Act

Environmental Law

Adjudicated a dispute involving the Chicago Metropolitan Water Reclamation District and discharge of waste materials by a metal manufacturer into the waters of Lake Michigan
Adjudicated a dispute involving a major natural gas company and insurers over underground contamination and seepage issues
Arbitrated or adjudicated many disputes involving contamination caused by underground storage tanks
Mediated a matter involving a dispute over contamination caused by printing equipment owned by a local newspaper company
Adjudicated disputes involving mold and toxic substances in condominiums, single family homes and commercial properties

Insurance

Adjudicated an insurance coverage dispute between a major gas company and multiple insurers
Adjudicated or settled numerous disputes involving duty to defend and/or indemnify in personal injury, property damage and medical malpractice claims against insured parties
Adjudicated or settled multiple disputes between owners of motor vehicles and insurance carriers involving coverage and duty to defend
Adjudicated or settled numerous malpractice and professional coverage disputes involving the legal and medical profession

Labor

Arbitrated a matter alleging failure to warn of a reduction in force, and failure to pay commissions and wages
Arbitrated matter where plaintiff alleged she had performed “off the clock” work at a fast-casual restaurant chain, along with other violations of state and federal fair labor standards
Arbitrated disputes under the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act

Real Estate & Real Property

Adjudicated multi-million dollar dispute between limited partners and their LLC over a real estate development in Chicago’s South Loop
Adjudicated a dispute between the City of Chicago, developer, and a condominium association over air and land rights applicable to further construction on the site
Adjudicated or settled numerous disputes involving residential and commercial foreclosures

Sports

Arbitrated approximately eight matters involving racehorse doping. Resolved claims across California, Illinois, Kentucky and New York
As an attorney, drafted the NCAA application/recertification for compliance for a “Division 1” institution of higher learning

Bernetta D. Bush