Attorney Profiles

Richard J. Reimer
Richard J. Reimer is an attorney and principal in the law firm of Richard J. Reimer & Associates, L.L.C. Mr. Reimer concentrates his practice in the area of public sector labor law and employment law. Mr. Reimer currently provides legal defense representation for numerous police officers and police officers' Unions in the Chicago metropolitan area. Mr. Reimer also represents numerous other firefighters' local unions on labor and collective bargaining matters. Mr. Reimer has represented numerous police officers and firefighters in disciplinary matters before police and fire commissions, civil service and merit boards and police officers in civil rights cases.

In addition, Mr. Reimer is General Counsel for the Illinois Public Pension Fund Association (IPPFA), and the Illinois Professional Firefighters' Association (IPFA). Mr. Reimer's firm represents over on hundred fifty police and firefighter pension funds. Mr. Reimer is co-author of the Illinois Police Pension Fund Trustee Handbook and the Illinois Firefighters' Pension Fund Trustees' Handbook. Mr. Reimer is currently an Adjunct Instructor at Lewis University, teacher masters level courses in Public Sector Labor Relations. Mr. Reimer is also an instructor at the Illinois Public Pension Fund Association/Northern Illinois University's New Trustee Workshop.

Mr. Reimer is a former police sergeant and Assistant Chief of Police and Assistant Cook County State's Attorney. Mr. Reimer served on his municipality's Police and Fire Commission and served a four year term as Village Trustee.

Mr. Reimer is a graduate of DePaul University and John Marshall Law School. Mr. Reimer is admitted to practice law in Illinois, the Northern District of Illinois Federal Trial Bar, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court.

Chris W. Potthoff
Chris W. Potthoff is an associate attorney with the law firm of Richard Reimer and Associates, LLC. Mr. Potthoff concentrates his practice in the area of public sector labor and employment law as well as public pensions law. Mr. Potthoff represents police officers and firefighters involved in disciplinary matters in addition to representing police chapters on labor and collective bargaining matters.

Mr. Potthoff received his Juris Doctorate from the John Marshall Law School in January of 2003. Mr. Potthoff is licensed to practice law in Illinois and at the State and Federal level. He is also affiliated with the American Bar Association and the Illinois State Bar Association.

Mr. Potthoff is currently an Adjunct Instructor at Lewis University, teaching a masters level course in Public Sector Civil Liability. Mr. Potthoff is a former police officer and served as a school resource officer, detective, and a member of a tactical response team.

Robert Trevarthen
Before becoming a lawyer, Mr. Trevarthen had experience as a teacher, coach, high school principal, and a school district superintendent. During that time he served as an elected member of a school board and as president of the thirty-three (33) largest unit school districts in the state.

For the last 19 years he has practiced local government law. His practice areas include pension boards, commissioners, fire protection districts, school districts, townships, and counties. He has specific expertise in collective bargaining, finance, and human resource management.

Mr. Trevarthen joined Richard J. Reimer & Associates LLC as “of counsel” on February 1, 2006 .

Mr. Trevarthen is licensed to practice in Illinois State and Federal Courts.

Mr. Trevarthen is a graduate from the University of Illinois accomplishing degrees of Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, and Doctrine of Education. Mr. Trevarthen is also a graduate from Loyola University with a Juris Doctor.

Keith A. Karlson
Keith A. Karlson is an associate with law firm of Richard J. Reimer & Associates LLC. Mr. Karlson concentrates his practice in the area of public safety labor law, constitutional rights of public employees, and public sector pension law. Mr. Karlson represents police and fire unions in Illinois and Indiana. Mr. Karlson has extensive experience representing firefighters and police officers in disciplinary matters and the civil rights issues arising from them.

Keith has taught several seminars regarding administrative, statutory, and civil rights protections afforded public safety officers. Keith also lectures frequently about pension matters impacting police officers and firefighters. In particular Mr. Karlson has been invited to lecture on multiple subjects for the Illinois Public Pension Fund Association (“IPPFA”). Keith also has taught classes that are part of the IPPFA Trustee Certification Program. Mr. Karlson has published several articles relating to legal matters relating to police officers and firefighters.

Mr. Karlson earned his A.A. (Criminal Justice) from Moraine Valley College, his B.A. (Political Science) from Eastern Illinois University, his M.A. (Communications) from Ball State University, and his Juris Doctor from the DePaul University College of Law. At DePaul, Keith wrote for the DePaul Health Law Journal and was a member of the National Moot Court Honor Society.

Mr. Karlson is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, Indiana State Bar Association, the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, and is an honorary member of IAFF Local 4416. Mr. Karlson is licensed to practice in Illinois and Indiana State Courts, the United States District Courts for the Northern District of Illinois (trial bar member), and the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. 

Jeffrey A. Goodloe
Jeffrey A. Goodloe is an associate with the law firm of Richard J. Reimer & Associates LLC. Mr. Goodloe concentrates his practice in the area of public sector labor and employment law as well as public pension law.

Mr. Goodloe is a former Florida Assistant State’s Attorney. Mr. Goodloe prosecuted felony level crimes in Manatee and Sarasota counties and has significant trial experience. Mr. Goodloe is licensed to practice law in Illinois and Florida. He is affiliated with the American Bar Association, the Illinois State Bar Association and the Florida Bar Association.

Mr. Goodloe graduated with honors from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and received his Juris Doctorate from the Stetson University College of Law, in May 2005.