ILLINOIS
ILLINOIS
Local litigation firms Local litigation stars Charles Douglas
Sidley Austin
Antitrust, Commercial Litigation, Securities
Highly recommended Lee Abrams
Mayer Brown Joseph Duffy
Bartlit Beck Herman Palenchar & Scott Antitrust Stetler & Duffy
Commercial Litigation, White-Collar Crime
Jenner & Block Mary Rose Alexander
Latham & Watkins Thomas Durkin
Kirkland & Ellis Commercial Litigation, Products Liability Mayer Brown
Commercial Litigation, White-Collar Crime
Latham & Watkins Steven Bashwiner
Katten Muchin Rosenman Maja Eaton
Mayer Brown Securities Sidley Austin
Products Liability
McDermott Will & Emery Philip Beck
Bartlit Beck Herman Palenchar & Scott Robert Finke
Sidley Austin
Commercial Litigation, Securities Mayer Brown
Antitrust
Winston & Strawn
Jill Berkeley
Howrey Michael Freeborn
Intellectual Property, Products Liability Freeborn & Peters
Recommended Antitrust, Commercial Litigation, Insurance, Products
Sean Berkowitz Liability
Baker & McKenzie Latham & Watkins
Securities, White-Collar Crime John Gallo
Freeborn & Peters Sidley Austin
Timothy Bishop Commercial Litigation, Securities, White-Collar
Goldman Ismail Tomaselli Brennan & Baum Mayer Brown Crime
Appellate
Howrey Richard Godfrey
Bruce Braun Kirkland & Ellis
Jones Day Winston & Strawn Appellate, Commercial Litigation, Products Liability
Antitrust, Appellate, Intellectual Property, Securities
Katten Muchin Rosenman Roderic Heard
Walter Carlson Wildman Harrold
Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell Sidley Austin Antitrust, Commercial Litigation, Intellectual
Commercial Litigation, Securities, White-Collar Property
Schiff Hardin Crime
John Hickey
Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom Jeffrey Colman Kirkland & Ellis
Jenner & Block Commercial Litigation, Intellectual Property,
Stetler & Duffy Commercial Litigation, White-Collar Crime Products Liability, Securities
Wildman Harrold James Conlan Harold Hirshman
Sidley Austin SNR Denton
Bankruptcy Appellate, Intellectual Property
William Conlon Adam Hoeflich
Sidley Austin Bartlit Beck Herman Palenchar & Scott
Commercial Litigation, White-Collar Crime Commercial Litigation
Vincent Connelly Patricia Holmes
Mayer Brown Schiff Hardin
Commercial Litigation Commercial Litigation, White-Collar Crime
James Daly Tarek Ismail
Jones Day Goldman Ismail Tomaselli Brennan & Baum
Commercial Litigation Products Liability
Michael Davis Matthew Kipp
Sidley Austin Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom
Products Liability Commercial Litigation
Michael Dockterman David Kistenbroker
Wildman Harrold Katten Muchin Rosenman
Commercial Litigation, Intellectual Property, White- Securities
Collar Crime
THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO AMERICA’S LEADING LITIGATION FIRMS & ATTORNEYS 199
ILLINOIS
Scott Lassar
Sidley Austin
David Rosenbloom
McDermott Will & Emery
Future stars
Securities, White Collar-Crime White-Collar Crime
Karl Barnickol
Mark Levine Ronald Safer Katten Muchin Rosenman
Bartlit Beck Herman Palenchar & Scott Schiff Hardin
Commercial Litigation White-Collar Crime David Becker
Freeborn & Peters
William Linklater Stephen Shapiro
Baker & McKenzie Mayer Brown David Blickenstaff
Antitrust, Commercial Litigation Appellate, Commercial Litigation Schiff Hardin
Andrew Marovitz Ross Silverman Roxane Busey
Mayer Brown Katten Muchin Rosenman Baker & McKenzie
Antitrust, Commercial Litigation Commercial Litigation, Insurance, White-Collar
Crime Jeremy Cole
John Mathias Jones Day
Jenner & Block Jerold Solovy
Commercial Litigation Jenner & Block Matthew Crowl
Commercial Litigation Schiff Hardin
Peter McCabe
Winston & Strawn David Stetler Zachary Fardon
Antitrust, Appellate, Intellectual Property, White- Stetler & Duffy Latham & Watkins
Collar Crime Appellate, Securities, White-Collar Crime
Jocelyn Francoeur
Creighton Meland, Jr Jeffrey Stone McDermott Will & Emery
Baker & McKenzie McDermott Will & Emery
Commercial Litigation Appellate, Securities, White-Collar Crime Sean Gallagher
Bartlit Beck Herman Palenchar & Scott
Scott Mendeloff Anton Valukas
Howrey Jenner & Block Justine Gotshall
Commercial Litigation, White-Collar Crime Commercial Litigation, Products Liability, White- Wildman Harrold
Collar Crime
Michael Olsen Sondra Hemeryck
Mayer Brown Dan Webb Schiff Hardin
Products Liability Winston & Strawn
Kenneth Kliebard
Commercial Litigation, White-Collar Crime
Mark Pals Howrey
Kirkland & Ellis James White
Jacob Koering
Intellectual Property Husch Blackwell Sanders Welsh & Katz
Freeborn & Peters
Intellectual Property
Keith Parr
Chris Lind
Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell Sheldon Zenner
Bartlit Beck Herman Palenchar & Scott
Intellectual Property Katten Muchin Rosenman
Commercial Litigation, Securities, White-Collar
Britt Miller
Stephen Patton Crime
Mayer Brown
Kirkland & Ellis
Antitrust, Commercial Litigation
Kathleen Roach
Sidley Austin
Michael Pope
McDermott Will & Emery
Erin Schrantz
Products Liability
Jenner & Block
Thomas Quinn
Scott Schutte
Schiff Hardin
Howrey
Commercial Litigation, Intellectual Property
Ryan Stoll
Daniel Reidy
Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom
Jones Day
Commercial Litigation
Robert Riley
Schiff Hardin
Commercial Litigation, Products Liability
Daniel Ring
Mayer Brown
Commercial Litigation, Products Liability
200
ILLINOIS
Illinois Godfrey has been litigating matters involving
energy giants BP and ExxonMobil. Godfrey
won a significant victory for BP in the
Eleventh Circuit when in June 2009, a three-
judge panel issued a unanimous opinion
Illinois is the undisputed hub of litigation in the Midwest. Chicago is home to affirming summary judgment in a potential
many of the country’s top antitrust, securities, and white-collar crime litigators, billion-dollar class-action case concerning
gasoline delivery workers who claimed to
but the state is also witnessing an increase in the products liability and intellectu- have been victim to an unfair pricing scheme
al property areas. Beyond Chicago, Illinois litigators handle matters relating to executed by BP. Stephen Patton is also
rural concerns including environmental and land use disputes. The state’s manu- revered by peers for his commercial litigation
facturing sector has been hard-hit by the economic recession, as has its mort- and products liability practice, which
gage banking sector. The Illinois unemployment rate remains stubbornly high, includes the continuing defense of RJ
Reynolds in cases dating back two years and
and government corruption scandals are rampant, all factors that create fertile involving claims of $1 billion in “non-
ground for litigation to blossom in the state even further. participating manufacturer” adjustments to
payment obligations under a Master
Highly recommended firms New York, Washington, DC, and Los Settlement Agreement between tobacco
Angeles. companies and a combined total 52 states
Bartlit Beck Herman Palenchar & Scott Representing the senior level, Jerold Solovy and territories.
Formed in 1993, Bartlit Beck Herman is still noted for his high-stakes commercial
Palenchar & Scott maintains its steady reign litigation, intellectual property and securities Latham & Watkins
as a litigation mainstay in Chicago. “This is work even as peers speculate that his The litigators in the Chicago office of Latham
the real deal for litigation. In that capacity no litigation practice may be slowing somewhat. & Watkins handle intellectual property,
other local firm comes close,” crows an Firm chairman and litigation partner Anton professional liability, insurance, products
enthusiastic Illinois peer. Indeed, the firm Valukas made headlines throughout the year liability and mass torts, white-collar crime
prides itself on providing “trial lawyers, not for his intensely scrupulous investigation into and other large commercial litigations. “They
just litigators,” something a competitor
confirms this with the observation that
“they’re not shy about going to trial.” The
firm had its profile exponentially raised
when, in July 2010, Fred Bartlit was selected
“ ‘This is the real dealcrows an enthusiasticcapacitypeerother
local firm comes close,’
for litigation. In that
Illinois
no
[of
from the firm’s Denver office by a
presidential panel to lead the investigation
into the disaster stemming from the April Bartlit Beck Herman Palenchar & Scott].”
20th explosion aboard BP’s Deepwater
Horizon drilling platform in the Gulf of
Mexico. the collapse of Lehman Brothers, which he are very strong,” voices one peer. Peers call
In Chicago, competitors regard Philip Beck officially signed off on in July 2010. Valukas Sean Berkowitz a “trial lawyer to be
as a “heavyweight” who is “great at thinking was also recently lead counsel for General reckoned with.” Berkowitz focuses on
on his feet.” In June 2010, Beck led a team Motors in an SEC investigation and securities and white-collar crime. Before
that obtained a complete defense verdict on settlement. Charles Sklarsky is highly joining Latham, Berkowitz served as director
the claims of nine Philadelphia firefighters regarded for his white-collar litigation of the task force investigating the Enron
who claimed to have suffered hearing loss practice, and peers laud the partner by corporate scandal and served as lead
because of exposure to Federal Signal sirens. saying, “I think he’s outstanding, enough so prosecutor in the criminal case against two
Other clients of note include Merck and to transfer work to him.” ex-officers of Enron. Trial lawyer Mary Rose
Ernst & Young. Adam Hoeflich recently Alexander focuses on high-stakes litigation
represented DuPont in 22 class actions, with Kirkland & Ellis involving environmental and toxic tort cases.
plaintiffs claiming that DuPont’s Teflon Kirkland & Ellis has a 100-year history of Peers call her “very strong in court.” Future
coating was unsafe and seeking up to $5 providing litigation, bankruptcy and white- star nominee Zachary Fardon is revered by
billion in damages. In May 2009, the collar investigation services on a national and peers as a “fantastic lawyer and a wonderful
plaintiffs dropped the case. Additionally, international basis. In addition to its Chicago person.”
Chris Lind receives praise from peers for his headquarters, the firm also maintains
“exceptional trial skills.” outposts domestically in Los Angeles, New Mayer Brown
York, Palo Alto, San Francisco and Peers refer to Mayer Brown as the firm
Jenner & Block Washington, DC, and abroad in Hong Kong, “everyone knows in Chicago.” Its 500-
Founded in 1914, Jenner & Block receives London, Shanghai and Munich. While lawyer Chicago office is its original and its
rave reviews from Illinois peers, who regard Kirkland did lose products liability star largest, and is also one of the largest law
it as “a fantastic firm with fantastic people, David Bernick in March 2010 when he left to offices in the city. The firm is regarded by
on both the senior end and on the ‘next become in-house counsel at Philip Morris, the Illinois peers as being “especially strong in
generation’ horizon.” Such feedback, along firm still has a reputation for “having some white-collar, appellate and antitrust”
with an impressive string of wins pushing the really strong players.” One Illinois peer says, capacities. Peers also note that litigator
firm further into the spotlight, has served to “I think the world of them, and if you ask Thomas Durkin is being nominated for a
raise Jenner & Block’s status in Illinois to any litigator in the state I’m sure you’ll get federal judge position in the near future.
highly recommended in this year’s rankings. the same answer.” Daniel Ring acted as lead counsel in a 2009
The firm has 470 lawyers in four offices Senior partner Richard Godfrey has acted victory defending Medtronic against personal
throughout the US, and has established a as trial and appellate counsel in individual injury and economic damages claims,
nationwide presence beyond its Chicago base and class-action suits involving antitrust, successfully obtaining dismissal of the master
with outposts in the litigation hotbeds of insurance, products liability. Most recently, complaint in the multi-district litigation on
THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO AMERICA’S LEADING LITIGATION FIRMS & ATTORNEYS 201
ILLINOIS
the ground that all claims in it were Sidley Austin when it lost approximately two-thirds of its
preempted by an express preemption With a broad network of 17 offices value as a result of significant losses in, and
provision in the Food, Drug and Cosmetic domestically and internationally, Sidley costs related to, its natural gas trading
Act. Ring is also involved in ongoing Austin is another well recognized name in the portfolio. The plaintiffs sued in 2007,
representation of Union Carbide, and its Illinois legal community. The firm’s practice alleging federal securities fraud and common
former subsidiary Amchem Products, in portfolio is deep and varied, with each of its law fraud claims, gross negligence, breach of
asbestos litigation. Michael Olsen is working main practices divided further into several fiduciary duty, and breach of contract. Bruce
with Ring on representing both of these sub-specialties. Peers note “Sidley is based in Braun earns recognition for his role in
clients, and clients address him as “very Chicago but [their litigators] are likely to be defending Grant Thornton, which was
talented and knowledgeable in products found handling nationwide cases.” named as a defendant in a securities fraud
liability matters.” The firm’s Appellate Senior litigator William Conlon’s practice class action that alleged it had a role in
Litigation Group was founded by Stephen includes antitrust, securities, banking, perpetrating the massive fraud and
Shapiro, who peers acknowledge as “a accountants’ liability, insurance, utilities law, subsequent bankruptcy of Parmalat. The
formidable presence” and is currently co- and a variety of complex commercial cases claims sought to hold the client responsible
chaired by Jeffrey Sarles, who handles for individuals and class-action groups. Scott for negligence concerning audits conducted
international arbitration matters as well as Lassar’s profile is rising in the eyes of local on Parmalat. After five years of litigation,
appellate matters. Sarles currently represents peers, who consider him “a wonderful white- plaintiffs agreed to dismiss all claims against
Cargill in several NAFTA-related investor-
state arbitrations. Andrew Marovitz, referred
to by peers as an “antitrust expert,” is
representing Swift, a supplier of messaging
services to financial institutions, in ongoing
litigation regarding Swift’s being sued for
“Oneand if you ask[of Kirkland &inEllis] state I’mthink the world of
them,
Illinois peer
any litigator the
says, ‘I
sure you’ll get
privacy rights violations after it was revealed
that Swift had been using its technology to the same answer.’ ”
track individuals suspected of terrorism in
accordance with subpoenas issued by the
Bush administration in the wake of the 9/11 collar lawyer handling hot cases.” David Grant Thornton as part of a $6.5 million
attacks. Vincent Connelly is lauded by clients Pritikin chairs the firm’s national intellectual settlement between the class and Grant
for being “a fantastic, all-purpose property practice and serves as lead counsel Thornton International, the international
commercial and white-collar lawyer.” in many high-profile patent cases, including parent corporation that actually was
appearing as lead counsel for Johnson & responsible for the audits.
McDermott Will & Emery Johnson in a case before the Federal Appeals
Headquartered in Chicago, McDermott Will Court involving a patent on the combination Recommended firms
& Emery maintains an international presence of two drugs. The firm’s Chicago office also
with 16 offices throughout the US and houses its most active products liability Baker & McKenzie
Europe, and it has recently extended into litigators. While Gary Feinerman has been Formed in 1949, Baker & McKenzie operates
Asia through a strategic alliance in Shanghai. appointed by President Obama for a seat on locations all over the world and remains a
The firm ascends in this year’s Illinois the US District Court for the Northern truly global operation, far beyond the
rankings to highly-recommended status District of Illinois and will be leaving the firm borders of Illinois. While rumors of the firm’s
based on peer and client feedback. One client in September, group leader Sara Gourley still merger talks with Heller Ehrman in 2008
cheers, “We use some high-profile firms, and maintains a “solid team.” Gourley was never came to fruition, the firm grew at a
[McDermott is] right up there with any of retained as national coordinating counsel to startling pace until August 2009, when it was
them. They are very qualified, have extensive defend Kimberly-Clark in purported reported that global revenue and profits
resources, and are very responsive.” nationwide class actions, spurred by a declined for the first time in four years.
Global trial department head Lazar Raynal consumer group’s 2009 report of alleged Within the Chicago office, William Linklater
represents Orbitz in ongoing high-stakes tax contaminants in children’s bath products, handles antitrust and commercial litigation
litigation in over 140 jurisdictions in cases of alleging breach of warranty, consumer fraud, work, with noteworthy emphasis on FCPA
first impression that implicate not only local and unjust enrichment claims. Maja Eaton is work, while Creighton Meland is
tax ordinances and statutes, but US also lauded for her representation of recommended for financial services litigation.
constitutional issues and issues of pharmaceutical heavyweights such as
discrimination against internet service Schering-Plough. Freeborn & Peters
providers. Michael Pope heads the firm’s With 120 attorneys operating out of two
international products liability practice group Winston & Strawn offices situated in Chicago and Springfield,
from the Chicago office, and is described as Winston & Strawn is an international law Freeborn & Peters remains an Illinois
“phenomenal” by a competitor. Pope firm with more than 900 attorneys among institution, focused on its core practice areas
obtained a multimillion-dollar verdict on seven offices domestically and seven in of antitrust, commercial, securities and
behalf of Leprino Foods, a manufacturer of Europe and Asia. The firm’s presence in bankruptcy litigation. Firm founder Michael
mozzarella cheese, in an insurance coverage Illinois is acknowledged by peers for having Freeborn has been practicing in all of these
dispute involving its former carrier, Factory “lots of depth and breadth.” core areas for over 30 years and is described
Mutual Insurance. The jury handed down the Dan Webb earns sweeping praise from as “ambitious and results-driven” by peers.
verdict in Leprino’s favor in February 2009. peers, who call him “always a top lawyer” Future star David Becker is noted for his trial
Pope also has represented ExxonMobil and and “truly amazing.” Webb’s victories and appellate work in matters including
Coca-Cola in class-action litigations in include securing a recent dismissal on behalf patent and trademark infringement, products
Illinois, and numerous Blue Cross Blue Shield of Amaranth Advisors in a matter involving liability, breach of contract, fraud, and
plans in HMO class actions in Florida. The San Diego County Employee’s securities litigation. In July 2010, it was
Jeffrey Stone concentrates his practice in the Retirement Association’s 2005 investment of announced that the firm’s litigation
areas of white-collar criminal defense and $175 million in a fund constructed by department had expanded with three former
complex commercial litigation. Amaranth, which performed well until 2006 Hogan Lovells attorneys, Joseph
202
ILLINOIS
McCullough, Robin Dusek and Kerry Slade, defendants violated Sections 10(b) of the reinstatement of regulatory permits
joining to provide additional services Exchange Act and arising primarily out of the authorizing construction of a $2.15 billion
focusing on insurance and reinsurance negative impact the economic crisis had on power plant. Stoll also successfully
litigation. the company’s business. Kistenbroker moved represented Wisconsin Electric Power
for dismissal and the case is pending. White- Company in appellate proceedings obtaining
Goldman Ismail Tomaselli Brennan & Baum collar co-chair Sheldon Zenner also receives the reversal of a $100 million punitive
A new entry to this year’s rankings, Goldman numerous mentions from peers as “someone damage award.
Ismail rides a wave of impressive peer to watch in the future.” Zenner is
mentions. The boutique, which focuses representing UBS Real Estate Securities in a Stetler & Duffy
exclusively on civil litigation, is the product putative class-action case that seeks to certify Trial boutique Stetler & Duffy specializes in
of the efforts of former Bartlit Beck partners a statewide class of Missouri residents whose complex civil and white-collar litigation.
and concentrates its practices in the areas of second-mortgage loans allegedly were Peers describe their work as “excellent” and
products liability and intellectual property, originated in violation of Missouri’s Second specifically mention Joseph Duffy and David
specifically pharmaceutical-related matters. Mortgage Loan Act. Stetler as “white-collar experts.” Stetler is, in
Tarek Ismail is roundly praised as “someone fact, referenced as “one of the best trial
who’s really making a name for himself,” Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell lawyers in the country” by two separate
according to peers, one of whom goes on to Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell was formed in Illinois litigators, one of whom claims, “He’s
acknowledge that “Tarek was Phil Beck’s #1 2007 with the combination of Locke Liddell still my mentor.” The firm has litigated
guy on Vioxx litigation.” & Sapp and Lord Bissell & Brook. It has successfully on the trial and appellate level in
achieved a national footprint with 11 US cases involving health care fraud, civil
Howrey offices and one in London. In the Chicago franchise disputes and public corruption
Howrey concentrates on three principal areas office, Keith Parr practices patent litigation charges. One peer refers to the firm by
of law: antitrust, intellectual property and for seed, chemical and biotechnology saying, “For criminal matters and white-
complex commercial litigation. In its Chicago companies. Michael Gaertner’s antitrust collar investigations, they are your go-to
office, the firm advises clients across a practice includes a potential billion-dollar place.”
multitude of industries on litigation related to case on behalf of Apotex against
mass torts, class actions, patents, financial GlaxoSmithKline for its alleged attempt to Wildman Harrold
services, insurance recovery, and antitrust. keep Apotex drugs off the market. The Chicago firm of Wildman Harrold is
Within these areas, Jill Berkeley and Scott home to 200 partners practicing commercial
Mendeloff are noted by peers as standout Schiff Hardin litigation, white-collar crime, antitrust and
litigators, with one taking note of With its flagship office in Chicago opened intellectual property. Peers specifically
Mendeloff’s “aggressive and zealous but over a century ago and another opened in acknowledge Michael Dockterman for his
fantastic style.” Lake Forest in 2002, Schiff Hardin has deep commercial litigation and white-collar
roots in Illinois. In July 2010, a team of firm criminal work. H Roderic Heard has been
Jones Day partners obtained a summary judgment in lead counsel for Honeywell International in
Jones Day’s Chicago office reinforces its favor of the Chicago Board Options numerous federal class actions claiming
formidable presence in the Midwest litigation Exchange in a case against the International nuisance and trespass for contamination
market. Peers call Daniel Reidy Securities Exchange and The Options since 2003. Additional recent clients include
“phenomenal” and “the best there is” in Clearing Corporation in litigation involving KONE and Biomet.
matters involving commercial litigation, index trading. Litigation group leader
intellectual property and securities. Abbott Thomas Quinn is regarded as a “terrific
Laboratories is a consistent and loyal client talent” by local peers, who advise, “Keep
who frequently calls upon Reidy’s patent your eye on him.” Quinn is representing
litigation expertise and trial acumen. In June Mylan Pharma in an action brought by
2010, the US Supreme Court ruled in favor of Abbott Laboratories in which Abbott alleges
Bruce Weyhrauch, a former Alaska state that Mylan infringed patents covering
representative being represented by a team of Abbott’s HIV treatment, sold commercially
Jones Day attorneys, who was accused of as Kaletra tablets, by filing an application
committing a federal fraud because he did with the FDA to obtain approval to
not disclose that he was seeking employment commercialize generic versions of Kaletra
from a company with an interest in a tax law tablets. Mylan refuted these claims, arguing
bill pending before the state legislature. Jones that the patents were not infringed and/or
Day successfully argued that the statute the were invalid.
client was being held to was too vague to be
enforced. Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom
Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom is
Katten Muchin Rosenman making significant inroads into the Chicago
Though a full-service firm, Katten Muchin litigation market, with lawyers in this office
Rosenman’s core practices are commercial handling large-scale securities, commercial,
litigation, securities, and intellectual mass tort, products liability claims and
property. “They are on the move, they could insurance litigation. In the Chicago office,
be worthy of consideration for highly- Ryan Stoll generates peer praise as a
recommended status by this time next year,” “wonderful lawyer.” Stoll has been involved
observes one peer. Securities litigation chair in a number of significant civil litigation
David Kistenbroker has been actively matters, including federal multidistrict
handling a spate of activity over the last year, proceedings and other state and federal
including the defense of FCStone Group and litigations. He successfully argued before the
several directors in consolidated putative Wisconsin Supreme Court on behalf of
securities class actions alleging that the Wisconsin Energy Corporation for
THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO AMERICA’S LEADING LITIGATION FIRMS & ATTORNEYS 203
ILLINOIS
227 West Monroe St.
Chicago, IL 60606-5096
USA
T: +1 312 372 2000
F: +1 312 984 7700
www.mwe.com
Co-chairs: Jeffrey E Stone, Peter JSacripanti
Number of partners: 555
Number of other lawyers: 426
Firm Overview
McDermott Will & Emery is a leading international firm with a diversified
business practice. For more than 75 years, our lawyers have served a
broad range of client interests and understand the issues faced by
corporate decision makers. We know how economic, social and political
issues affect operations because our lawyers have navigated the complex
business and regulatory environment themselves.
Litigation Overview
Clients turn to the litigation lawyers of McDermott to manage their toughest
challenges. McDermott connects clients with skilled litigation lawyers who
provide winning strategies for bench and jury trials, arbitrations and
alternative dispute resolutions, including mediations and summary jury
trials.
Our experienced team engages in every aspect of civil, regulatory and
commercial defense litigation in:
McDermott lawyers take on the most demanding cases for clients across
many industries, including aviation, consumer products, energy,
environmental, financial, health care, hospitality, insurance, life sciences
and technology. In addition to our work for public companies, we work with
McDermott’s private client, tax and corporate lawyers to serve privately
held companies and individual clients in matters requiring special sensitivity
and discretion. Our lawyers also handle emergency situations such as
temporary restraining orders and preliminary injunctions.
We understand each case presents different facts, issues and objectives,
and we tailor our staffing and strategy appropriately. McDermott has
handled thousands of mediations, arbitrations, trials and appeals. Our
litigation lawyers have successfully argued appeals before the Supreme
Court of the United States, the 13 judicial circuits of the US appellate
courts and numerous state appellate courts. Outstanding client service is a
cornerstone of our practice—one that has withstood the test of geography,
economy and time. We are proud of the recognition we have received from
clients for our commitment to service, and we consider their satisfaction
the best measure of our success.
Offices
McDermott has offices in Boston, Brussels, Chicago, Düsseldorf, Houston,
London, Los Angeles, Miami, Milan, Munich, New York, Orange County,
Rome, San Diego, Silicon Valley and Washington, DC The Firm has a
strategic alliance with MWE China Law Offices (Shanghai).
204
ILLINOIS
Firm Overview Litigation Practice
Sidley Austin LLP, with approximately 1600 lawyers in 17 offices, is one of the Sidley has a litigation department of extraordinary depth and range that delivers
world’s largest law firms. Sidley combines practical experience, extensive outstanding results at every stage of the litigation process. More than 750
knowledge and a commitment to providing quality legal services responsive to lawyers in the firm are engaged in litigation or related dispute resolution
the needs of its local, regional, national and international clients. The firm offers activities. Sidley lawyers have successfully litigated a wide range of issues in a
its clients extensive experience in transactional, regulatory and litigation matters variety of industries reflecting the increasingly complex nature of its clients’
spanning virtually every area of substantive law. businesses and the types of disputes in which they become involved. The
practice has been featured in USA Today, BusinessWeek, The American
Lawyer, Legal Times, The National Law Journal and Metropolitan Corporate
Recognition
Counsel.
The firm has been recognized by its clients and by the media for its leadership
in its litigation, transactional and international practices.
Sidley’s litigation capabilities include: intellectual property, insurance, class
• Sidley received the more first-tier national rankings of any US law firm in
action, products liability, health care, securities, corporate, employment, ERISA,
the inaugural US News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” rankings for
white-collar, regulatory, alternative dispute resolution, international trade,
2010, including in the areas of Antitrust, General Commercial Litigation,
antitrust, investment banking, transportation, energy, privacy and media. The
Insurance, IP and International Arbitration.
firm’s litigators have obtained precedent setting results that have a profound
• Carter G Phillips, managing partner of Sidley’s Washington, DC office was
impact on the law in a number of substantive and procedural areas in the
named one of the Decade’s Most Influential Lawyers by The National
federal and state trial and appellate courts as well as in the US Supreme Court.
Law Journal. Mr. Phillips was recognized as one of the lawyers who has
“defined a decade” with “a reputation as the point man for high-level
Sidley’s record in the Supreme Court is unmatched. In 2010, the firm was
appellate cases.”
named to the National Law Journal’s “Appellate Hot List” for the third year in a
• Sidley was named the 2010 International Trade Team of the Year for the
row. Since the practice was formed in 1985, the team of more than 85 lawyers
US by Chambers and Partners.
(20 of whom are former Supreme Court clerks) has briefed well over 160
• Sidley was named the US Law Firm of the Year at the ILO Client Choice
cases on the merits before the Court and argued more than 85 cases. Carter
Awards 2010.
Phillips has argued 66 cases in the Supreme Court and is recognized as one
of the Court’s premier practitioners. Since 2000, seven other Sidley lawyers
Pro Bono also have argued cases in the US Supreme Court. Our many successful
Sidley has a long tradition of providing pro bono services. The firm’s pro bono representations before the Court include AT&T Corp. in AT&T Corp. v. Hulteen;
policy strongly encourages all lawyers to devote time to pro bono legal matters, eBay Inc. in eBay, Inc., et al. v. MercExchange, LLC; and Tellabs, Inc. in Tellabs,
including legal assistance to the poor and to charitable, community or other Inc. v. Makor Issues & Rights, Lt.
organizations that serve those who would otherwise be unable to afford legal
representation. In 2009, Sidley lawyers, legal assistants and staff devoted Sidley offers its clients an extraordinarily deep bench of seasoned trial lawyers
more than 84,000 hours to pro bono projects. In 2008, Sidley was named as who know how to deliver courtroom results. For example, Sidley recently
one of four recipients of The National Law Journal’s Pro Bono Awards. The represented Exelon Corporation in its hostile bid to buy NRG Energy, Inc. in the
award was given in recognition of its Veterans Benefits Project, a campaign to Southern District of New York. The case proceeded to trial on an expedited
secure medical benefits for war veterans. Sidley received the 2007 ABA Pro basis and the judge ruled in favor of Exelon on all claims.
Bono Publico Award for its ongoing commitment to providing pro bono legal
services. Sidley’s class-action defense team has produced several important victories for
clients, counseling them at critical junctures when losing is not an option. For
Diversity example, Sidley represented AT&T in a successful but rare jury trial involving a
Sidley’s recruitment and retention efforts have been both innovative and multi-district class action. Although few antitrust class-action cases go to trial,
progressive, demonstrating a commitment to increasing the number of diverse this one did, and after a five-week trial, the jury returned a verdict for AT&T by
lawyers in the firm. In 2009, 2008 and 2007, Sidley was named one of the finding AT&T not guilty of the antitrust claims made by the class.
Best Law Firms for Women by Working Mother magazine and Flex-Time
Lawyers, a national consulting firm advising lawyers and legal employers on Sidley has a thriving international arbitration and dispute resolution practice.
work-life balance and the retention and advancement of women. In 2006, the From our offices throughout North America, Europe and Asia, Sidley assists
firm launched its Sidley Scholars Initiative, an innovative program that offers clients with complex, cross-border dispute resolution before all the major
opportunities and resources to minority undergraduate students who plan to international arbitral and judicial institutions. For example, Sidley lawyers
pursue a career in law. represent governments and companies from around the globe in high-stakes
investment treaty disputes, and have achieved victories for such clients as
Vivendi, Cargill, General Electric and Bechtel. The firm’s commercial arbitration
Clients lawyers represent clients in connection with all types of commercial disputes
Sidley’s strong, diverse client base includes Fortune 100 and 500 companies such as complex contract, fraud, insurance, products liability, securities,
in a wide range of industries and business sectors, investment banks, construction and intellectual property disputes. In addition, Sidley’s leading
commercial banks, public utilities, mutual funds, entrepreneurs and executives, team of WTO litigators have been involved in more than 230 of the over 390
insurance and financial institutions, professional firms, venture capital/private complaints brought through the WTO’s dispute settlement process.
equity firms, partnerships, foundations, non-profit organizations, individuals and
government agencies.
THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO AMERICA’S LEADING LITIGATION FIRMS & ATTORNEYS 205