Experience

Dismissal for Public Utility Owner, with Sanctions Against Plaintiff

Represented a public utility owner in a federal court case involving a complex commercial transaction, securing a dismissal with prejudice against a plaintiff resulting from our motion for terminating sanctions over the plaintiff's various discovery violations.

Successfully Defended Client in Wrongful Death Case

Conducted the investigation and successfully represented a national fast-food delivery company in a high-profile wrongful death case stemming from a shooting that occurred at one of the client's restaurants.

Defended Client Against $15 Million Damages Claims

Defeated claims seeking more than $15 million in damages from his client, while obtaining a judgment for damages, attorneys’ fees and expenses in the client’s favor on its counterclaims.

Claims Dismissed Against Corporate Officers

Secured dismissal of claims brought against corporate officers under the fiduciary shield doctrine.

Successful Representation in Breach of Fiduciary Duty and Misappropriation of Trade Secrets Case

Our client brought claims against a former company officer, his new employer and an officer of his new employer, alleging that they misappropriated trade secrets from our client. The alleged trade secrets included customer information and highly technical manufacturing information. Our client also brought a breach of fiduciary duty claim against the former officer for allegedly diverting business from our client to his new employer immediately before he left. After a two-and-a-half-week jury trial in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, the jury found that the former employee, his new employer and the new employer’s officer misappropriated certain trade secrets and that the employee also breached his fiduciary duty, awarding our client damages on both claims.

Earned Arbitration Award for Michigan Avenue Property Owner

Earned an arbitration award for the owner of a Michigan Avenue property, defeating the developer’s claim that it had substantially completed construction.

Multimillion-Dollar Jury Verdict for Chinese Manufacturer

Secured a multimillion-dollar jury verdict in federal court for a Chinese manufacturer and a Chinese distributor for fraud, breach of contract and defamation against their manufacturer’s representative.

Judgment Against National Bank

Obtained summary judgment plus attorneys' fees against a national bank on behalf of the landlord in a commercial lease dispute.

Secured Judgment for Client in Post-Termination Equity Case

Secured judgment for a publicly traded master-limited partnership against a former executive’s claim for post-termination equity.

Arbitration Award for Michigan Avenue Property Owner

Earned an arbitration award for the owner of a Michigan Avenue property, defeating the developer’s claim that it had substantially completed construction.

Significant Reduction of Punitive Damages in Illinois Supreme Court Case

Secured a reduction of a $1.75 million punitive damages award to $65,000 by the Illinois Supreme Court.

$50 Million Energy Market Dispute for Regional Transmission Organization

Reached a settlement agreement for a regional transmission organization in a $50 million energy market dispute with hedge funds.

$8 Million Judgment for CEO of Construction Company

Secured an $8 million judgment in a stock buyout suit for the former CEO of a nationwide construction company.

Judgment in $10 Million Breach of Warranty Claim Case

Secured judgment at the close of plaintiff’s case for a $10 million breach of warranty claim on large power generators.

$70 Million Judgment Against Pharma Company in Royalty Dispute

Secured a $70 million judgment against a pharmaceutical company in a royalty payment dispute.

Multimillion-Dollar Judgment for Nation’s Largest Wholesale Power Producer

Secured a multimillion-dollar judgment for the nation’s largest wholesale power producer after a bench trial.

Injunction Against Orbitz for Breach of Contract

Secured an injunction for an internet travel service against Orbitz for breach of contract.

Summary Judgment Win for Shopping Center Client Against Debtor’s Claim

Beat back an $11 million claim in bankruptcy case asserted against country’s second largest owner of shopping centers based on doctrine of judicial estoppel.

Successful Defense of Board of Directors in Fiduciary Duty, Shareholder Oppression Trial

Successfully defended a corporation’s board of directors against claims by shareholders for breach of fiduciary duty and shareholder oppression at trial in federal court in Chicago.

Arbitration Award Restraining $100 Million+ Litigation in Guatemala

Earned an arbitration award restraining a more than $100 million litigation in Guatemala against a U.S. domestic power wholesaler, which was confirmed by the federal court in Washington, D.C.

Jury Verdict in Federal Court Rescinding Client’s Multimillion-Dollar Fake Antique Purchase

Secured a jury verdict in federal court in Chicago to rescind a client’s multimillion-dollar purchase of fake antique statues.

Negotiated Favorable Settlement in Shareholder Dispute Involving Concert Promoter

Represented majority shareholders in lawsuit filed by minority member and negotiated favorable settlement resulting in minority member’s removal from the company.

Secured Writ of Mandamus for Multi-Level Marketing Client

Obtained a writ of mandamus on behalf of an Illinois multi-level marketing (MLM) company in the Supreme Court of Alabama. The MLM company was sued in Alabama’s Tallapoosa County Circuit Court. Although the circuit court denied our motion to dismiss, the Alabama Supreme Court granted our petition for writ of mandamus holding that the circuit court exceeded its discretion and directing the circuit court to dismiss the lawsuit filed against the MLM.

Defense of Prepaid Credit Card Supplier Against Regulatory Agencies

Defended a prepaid credit card supplier against the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation’s claim that the client violated the Illinois Transmitters of Money Act.

Multimillion-Dollar Judgment for Commercial Landlord

Secured an $8+ million judgment for a commercial landlord against a surety on a bond posted to secure WeWork’s obligations as the tenant of a commercial building in Denver.

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.