Experience

Represented Battery Company in Product Liability Suit

Represented battery company in the successful defense and settlement of a nationwide product recall of lithium batteries and obtained summary judgment against client’s insurer.

Acquisition of Transmission Line Easements for Energy Client

Assisted client in securing electrical power transmission line easements by negotiation and condemnation. Despite having an original list of 80 parcels of land, the team settled the majority on a compressed timeline and went to hearing on just four parcels, all of which were ultimately resolved in our client’s favor.

Sizeable Judgment for Real Estate Client in Dispute

Represented real estate client in dispute with tenant and surety, and secured a sizeable judgment on the pleadings.

Successful Defense of Real Estate Developer at Federal Jury Trial and on Appeal

Represented real estate developer in several mechanic’s lien suits and federal jury trial alleging breach of contract and violation of Illinois statutes concerning securities, consumer fraud, and condominiums. Obtained early dismissal of securities claim and part of a team that secured jury and bench trial verdicts entirely in client’s favor. Successfully defended challenged rulings on appeal to the Seventh Circuit.

Dismissal and Favorable Verdict in Breach of Contract, Malpractice Suit

Represented founder of private buying club and his outside counsel against his former employee/attorney in breach of contract and malpractice suit; obtained dismissal of claim against outside law firm and favorable verdict on behalf of client after bench trial.

Obtained Early Dismissal in $50 Million Breach of Fiduciary Duty, Professional Malpractice Suit

In suit seeking over $50 million damages against receiver and her law firm, obtained early dismissal of claims against law firm and prevented filing of defamation claim under Barton doctrine. Secured summary judgment in favor of receiver on over a dozen claims for breach of fiduciary duty and professional malpractice. Successfully defended all challenged rulings on appeal to the Seventh Circuit.

Dismissal of Claims and Favorable Settlements in Representation of Real Estate Investment Firm

Represented real estate investment firm in disputes against lessees and former executives and secured dismissal of claims and favorable settlements.

Representation of Private Investor in Fraud, Veil-Piercing Claims

Represented private investor in fraudulent transfer and corporate veil-piercing claims in the Northern District of Illinois.

Representation of Corporate Client in Multi-Party Litigation Alleging Fraud Claims

Represented corporate client in complex multi-party litigation involving cross-claims of fraud in the Chancery Court of Delaware.

Prevailed on Motion for Judgment for Private Investor Client

Represented private investor in breach of promissory note action and prevailed on a motion for judgment on the pleadings against corporate defendant in the Northern District of Illinois.

Settlement Agreement for Cannabis-Related Dispute

Obtained favorable settlement agreement for landlord in breach of contract suit against cannabis manufacturing and dispensing company that violated its lease agreement after failing to obtain Illinois cannabis permits.

Vacated Default Judgment for Pro Bono Client

Successfully obtained an order vacating a default judgment against pro bono client which allowed her to have her driver’s license reinstated.

Settlement Agreement in Closely Held Company Dispute

Obtained favorable settlement agreement for a construction company in a closely held company shareholder dispute involving multiple family members.

Subpoena Duces Tecum for Commodity Trading and Logistics Company

Represented an energy industry client in negotiating a limited response to an overly broad and unduly burdensome subpoena duces tecum.

Successful Objection to Massive Class Counsel Fee Request

On mega-settlement of antitrust action, obtained a judgment order reducing class counsel’s fee award by eight-figures – notwithstanding our client’s prior written agreement to the higher amount class counsel requested in fees.

Summary Judgment on Challenge to Association Bylaws

Prevailed on summary judgment for directors of a leading national professional association on a challenge to a bylaws amendment brought in a derivative action by association members who were also leaders of a rival professional association that opposed the amendment.

Successfully Defended Health Care Consultants and Health Care Attorney in Multiple Civil, Bankruptcy and Investigative Proceedings

Successfully defended a health care consulting firm and a health care attorney in multiple civil, bankruptcy and investigative proceedings relating to disputed process and handling fees paid to physicians by testing laboratories.

Judgment for Commercial Real Estate Owner, Voiding Rejected Purchase Contract

Obtained a judgment order for a commercial real estate owner that held a property sales contract void under an attorney modification clause and dismissed the buyer-plaintiff’s claim with prejudice.

Litigation Success Leads to Negotiated Victory for a National Hotel Operator

After substituting in as counsel for a commercial tenant in an eviction action, amended to add claims that the landlord and its affiliate had breached the lease's territorial-exclusivity covenant and sought discovery on the affiliate’s profits from the forbidden competition with our client. After the court ordered our opponents to provide the discovery, the landlord relented and entered into a 50-year lease that ceded operational control of the property to our client, reversing the landlord’s longstanding opposition to such terms.

Appellate Victory Affirming Court-Ordered Removal of Illegal Billboard

The Illinois Appellate Court affirmed a summary judgment order we obtained, compelling the removal of an illegal billboard that stalled completion of a shopping center development.

Arbitration Award and Federal Court Judgment Free Energy Company to Sell Overseas Assets

Obtained both an arbitration award and a federal court judgment in favor of subsidiaries of a publicly held energy company, restraining frivolous multimillion-dollar litigation in Guatemala, which freed our client to sell its assets in that country.

Complete Victory for Defendant/Counterclaimant at Trial, Affirmed on Appeal

Defeated all claims against a building owner at trial and obtained a seven-figure judgment on the owner’s counterclaim against the contractor and its principals, including on veil-piercing theories and an award of attorney’s fees. The victory was affirmed on appeal.

Representation of CEO in Compensation, Wrongful Termination Dispute

Represented former CEO of a major corporation in a dispute involving wrongful termination and compensation including stock options.

Representation of Recruiter in Fee Dispute

Represented a recruiter in a suit against a law firm for his fees.

Representation of High-Profile Law Firm Partner Moving to Another Firm

Represented a partner of a major law firm who was moving his practice to another major law firm.

Favorable Settlement for Food Ingredient Supplier in U.N. Contract Enforcement

Won a favorable settlement for a food ingredients supplier seeking to enforce a long-term contract governed by the United Nations Convention on the Sale of International Goods.

Prosecuted Claims Involving Purchase and Sale Contracts for Electrical Equipment

Defended and prosecuted claims involving purchase or sale contracts for electrical transformers used to operate light rail, and electrical switches and doors used on subway cars.

Prosecuted Claims Involving Purchase and Sale Contracts

Prosecuted claims involving purchase and sale contracts of sea containers, coal, steel, paint, wine, perfume, cloth and clothing for various manufacturers and retailers.

Licensing Matters Relating to Health Care Software Applications, Billing Systems

Prosecuted and defended licensing disputes for software including software used in health care applications and to create and maintain hospital medical and billing records.