Damon Ritenhouse is an Illinois-licensed attorney and Equity Partner at EV Häs, responsible for supervising the firm’s litigation work—especially foreclosure litigation that moves fast and punishes delay. Clients call Damon when they’ve been served with a summons and complaint, when motions start stacking up, or when a sheriff’s sale notice turns “someday” into right now.
His job is to keep the case grounded in what actually controls outcomes: the paperwork, the timeline, and the court’s schedule—so decisions are made with clarity instead of panic.
Foreclosure cases reward action. If you’ve been served, have a court date, or see a sale notice, don’t guess. Missing early deadlines is one of the fastest ways to lose options—even if you’re still talking to the servicer.
Before joining EV Häs, Damon built a foundation in public service and housing work. He studied at DePaul University College of Law, was active in the Center for Public Interest Law, and earned a certificate for pro bono service. As a 711-licensed law student at the Legal Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago, he defended clients in housing court—experience that still shows up today in how he handles urgent, document-heavy cases where people need straight answers and fast structure.
Request a Free Case Analysis
Send what you have—summons/complaint, motions, court notices, or a sale notice. Include your case number and sale date (if any) so your situation can be reviewed with the right urgency.
Chicago foreclosure litigation leadership at EV Häs
As Equity Partner, Damon supervises the litigation side of the firm’s work and collaborates with other attorneys to develop strategy and tactics for cases across Illinois. Foreclosure litigation is not one-size-fits-all: it’s a moving sequence of pleadings, notices, court dates, and motion practice where the smallest missed step can create big consequences.
Damon’s focus is keeping cases organized, defensible, and deadline-driven—while staying current on changes in the law that affect foreclosure practice in Chicago, Cook County, and throughout Illinois.
How Damon works: calm, direct, and evidence-first
You should never leave a legal conversation feeling more confused than when you started. Damon’s approach is built around three priorities:
1) Clarity. What is happening, what does the paperwork actually say, and what decision matters next?
2) Timing. What deadlines are controlling your options right now (court dates, sale notices, response windows)?
3) Proof. Strong positions come from documents, records, and clean communication—not guesses, partial screenshots, or missing context.
What clients usually want most:- A straight answer about what stage the case is in
- A timeline that matches the court’s reality (not internet averages)
- A plan they can explain—what we’re trying to accomplish and what happens next
Important: Every matter depends on its facts, documents, timing, and court procedures. Nothing online (including this page) is legal advice, and results vary. The goal is simple: protect options by acting on what’s actually pending.
Background: public interest roots and housing court experience
Before law school, Damon attended Illinois State University, earning both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in Criminal Justice. He worked at the McLean County State’s Attorney’s Office, advocating for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault—work that shaped how he communicates with clients in high-stress situations: calm tone, clear steps, and respect for what people are carrying.
After moving to Chicago in 2007, Damon began his legal studies at DePaul University College of Law and focused heavily on public interest work, including defending clients in housing court through the Legal Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago.
A quick timeline:- Illinois State University: B.A. + M.S. in Criminal Justice
- McLean County State’s Attorney’s Office: victim advocacy work
- Moved to Chicago (2007) and began law school at DePaul
- Center for Public Interest Law: active involvement + pro bono service certificate
- Legal Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago: housing court defense as a 711-licensed law student
- EV Häs: foreclosure defense attorney → litigation leadership
That mix—public interest training plus real courtroom exposure—translates well to foreclosure litigation. Foreclosure cases often involve heavy paperwork, confusing servicing records, and time-sensitive decisions. Damon’s role is to bring structure to the chaos: identify what matters, respond cleanly, and keep the case positioned for realistic resolution paths when they exist.
Served With a Summons and Complaint?
Being served is the legal “start gun.” Call to confirm your stage, identify the deadlines that matter next, and get a plan for responding without falling into avoidable default problems.
Foreclosure litigation work Damon handles and supervises
Damon has handled hundreds of residential and commercial foreclosure files and has argued motions in courts across Illinois. While every matter is different, foreclosure litigation typically requires fast, disciplined work: reviewing what was filed, responding properly, and tracking the deadlines that actually move a case forward.
- Summons/complaint review: confirm what’s alleged, identify the case posture, and map the first deadlines
- Motion practice: prepare, respond, and argue motions when appropriate
- Servicer communication organization: build a clean record that supports your position
- Settlement and resolution strategy: evaluate realistic paths based on timing and documents
- Sale-notice urgency triage: prioritize what must be addressed immediately when dates are close
- Residential and commercial foreclosure matters: adapt strategy to property type and complexity
Community involvement and client-first service
In addition to his litigation work, Damon serves as the supervising attorney for the Neighborhood Legal Assistance Project (NLAP), a legal help desk providing brief legal services to homeless clients in Chicago’s South Loop. The same principles apply there as in foreclosure litigation: identify what matters next, protect people from avoidable mistakes, and make the process understandable.
Damon has also published legal writing on topics that reflect his litigation mindset—how courts analyze standing and procedure, and how the law treats real-world harms. If you’re working with him, expect a lawyer who is comfortable in the details and focused on building positions that hold up when challenged.
Selected published writing
Damon has published articles on topics including trustee plaintiffs in foreclosure cases, Title VII race discrimination, and the rights of gay parents. Selected titles include:
- Don’t Call It a Crisis: Examining the Issue of Medical Malpractice Tort Reform and Damage Caps in Illinois
- Challenging a Trustee Plaintiff’s Standing to Maintain a Foreclosure Lawsuit in Illinois
- Independent Foreclosure Reviews
Publication topics change over time, but the theme stays consistent: litigation is won (or lost) in the documents, the procedure, and the timeline—not in wishful thinking.
If your foreclosure case is moving fast in Chicago or Cook County
If you’re behind on payments, served with a summons and complaint, or staring at a sale notice, the first goal is simple: get organized and stop the silent mistakes that shrink your options. Even one accurate conversation about what’s pending can change your next move.
3-step checklist (what to gather before you call):- Case papers: summons, complaint, motions, court notices, and any sale notice
- Loan file basics: recent statements, payment history you can access, modification packets/denials (if any)
- Communication record: letters, emails, portal screenshots, and notes of calls (dates + names if you have them)
Call (312) 775-0980 ext. 1027 or request a free case analysis.
Helpful form fields: Sale date (if any) • Case number • Property address • Best callback time.
What you can expect next: We’ll confirm what stage you’re in, identify the deadlines controlling your next step, and explain realistic options in plain English. If the matter is time-sensitive (court date or sale date), treat it that way and reach out early.
Next steps: how to get started with Damon
Start by sharing the most recent documents you received and any dates listed on notices. If you’re unsure what matters, one good starting question is: “What stage am I in, what deadline controls my next step, and what are my realistic options from here?”
Want clarity fast?
Tell us what you received, what date is coming up next, and what you’re trying to protect. If there’s a sale date, mention it first.
Contact: (312) 775-0980 ext. 1027
Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only and does not create an attorney-client relationship. It is not legal advice. Results vary based on facts, documents, timing, and court procedures.
If your matter involves court dates, notices, or a scheduled sale, don’t rely on general internet timelines. The safest next step is a document review tied to what’s actually pending in your case.
Sheriff’s Sale Questions?
If you have a sale notice—or think one is coming—timing and documentation become everything. Call to review the file and focus on the decisions that still protect leverage.
FAQ about working with Damon Ritenhouse
Search-style questions with plain-English answers (general information only).
Written By:
