Dragan Ivetic

Dragan is an Illinois-licensed attorney with international reach and experience. Driven to study law to help people, Dragan is licensed to practice in the state court of Illinois, as well as the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. For his trademark clients, Dragan is authorized to represent them before the USPTO Trademark Office as well as the TTAB.
He also is authorized to practice before the International Criminal Court, the United Nations International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, and the State Court of Bosnia-Herzegovina. He has been authorized to appear pro hac vice in other US jurisdictions and foreign countries, when necessary to represent clients in need of his services.

Dragan's practice recognizes that each client needs a unique solution for their legal matters. Each client is thus given a personal touch and attention to detail. Initial consultations are without cost or obligation, to see if Dragan's services are a fit for your legal needs.

Among his achievements and accolades, Dragan has been recognized by the Bar Associations of both the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the United Nations International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT) in The Hague. He has been previously elected as a President of the ADC-ICT at the IRMCT and has held various other positions in that Bar Association, currently serving as a Vice President and member of the Executive Committee as a director. At the ICC, Dragan is currently elected as a member of the Training Committee and previously served as Chairperson of the Defence Committee, and as a member of the Professional Standards Advisory Committee.

In furtherance of his pursuit to help people with legal issues, in 2022 Dragan joined with several colleagues to found a not-for-profit, The International Innocence Initiative, aimed at providing no-cost or low-cost legal representation and advice to persons arrested in a foreign state or jurisdiction.

University of Illinois College of Law

J.D. (1999) | Law

1996 - 1999

Northwestern University

B.A. (1996) | Philosophy

1992 - 1996

ADC-ICT (Association of Defence Counsel Practicing before International Courts and Tribunals)

Vice President and Executive Committee Member

2022 - Current

ICCBA (International Criminal Court Bar Association)

Member of Training Commitee

2022 - Current

IBA (International Bar Association)

Member

2018 - Current

ADC-ICT (Association of Defence Counsel Practicing Before International Courts and Tribunals)

Member

2004 - Current

Activities: Previously served as President. NGO Observer to the Military Commissions at the US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Frequent Lecturer and trainer (including Annual Mock Trial program) Currently serving on Training Committee. Previously served as Vice President and Member of Executive Board. Previously served on Membership Committee. Previously served on Disciplinary Council. Previously served as Association Secretary.

ISBA (Illinois State Bar Association)

Member

1999 - Current

Illinois

Supreme Court of Illinois

ID Number: 6270908

Since 1999

United Nations (International Criminal Tribunal for the Fmr. Yugoslavia)

2002-2017

United Nations (International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals)

Since 2017

International Criminal Court (ICC)

Since 2018

State Court of Bosnia-Herzegovina (Sud Bosne i Hercegovine)

Since 2006

United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

ID Number: 6270908

Since 2017

• Free Consultation
• Credit Cards Accepted

• General Trial Litigation

Q. Hello I need your help, please a recommendation, or something My ex Renter doesn't wanna give back my deposit back

February 13, 2023

A: The answer will depend on the terms of the lease agreement that you had, which we do not know. However it is typical that a security deposit may be used to cover repairs to the property after you move out that are needed to restore the property to rent to another person. The lack of repairs during your term is not determinative.

That being said - there are often limits or requirements to document the use of security deposits for repairs, especially if the lease is in a municipality that has a strict landlord-tenant ordinance (Chicago and Evanston are examples). Also it is unclear if the damage that is mentioned is the result of your tenancy or pre-existing (or neglect of the landlord). It is possible that you have a claim. The best way to find out an answer is to take a copy of your lease agreement to a lawyer that specializes in landlord-tenant cases and ask for a consultation. Some lawyers even do free consultations. They will tell you if they think you have a case, and what to do if so. Good Luck! ... Read More

Q. Do meetings in the judges chambers need to be recorded?

February 13, 2023

A: Discussions in chambers typically are not recorded, and that is perfectly normal and legal.

If as you say you were represented by counsel - you should direct your question to counsel who should be the best placed to answer your question and tell you if you have a cause of action for "coercion" or not.

Q. We have a property we thought we are buying and have paid for every month since 2017. We have made $30,000 in upgrades

February 13, 2023

A: Was this transaction (if a "purchase") conducted with a title company? If so you might have a claim under the title insurance and potentially the seller.

However, from the sounds of it - you still owe the original owner for the purchase of the property (If I am reading the "promissory note" reference with the Vendor Lien correctly).

A warranty deed with vendor’s lien is one way to show a debt for the purchase of a property to the original owner. If the debt goes unpaid, the recourse action for the original owner is easily proven in court and they get the property back. Before title can transfer, the lien will have to be paid, removed voluntarily or removed by a court order.

Is it possible that you entered a land contract instead of a promissory note? (they can seem similar to non-lawyers). That is another potential explanation for what you are describing. That you are paying the "seller" over time to eventually own the property. If that is the case - then they would rightly be the owner and you the tenants until the terms of the note are completed.

I am guessing you did not use a lawyer for the closing, given the situation you described. It might be well worth it to seek out a local real estate attorney to check (since I am not licensed in your state and laws may differ). ... Read More