Editorial: Commercial Litigation in Illinois

01 July 2008

Jenner & Block LLP once again tops the listings with five practitioners included here. Its "formidable practice" has an "excellent reputation", with lawyers acting on cases such as securing a US$181 million verdict against DirecTV regarding the financing of satellite TV equipment. The "eminent" Jerold Solovy has been in the business for over 50 years, and "commands respect throughout the country". He is chairman emeritus of the firm, and represented Coleman (Parent) Holdings as co-lead counsel before the Florida Supreme Court in its fraud suit against Morgan Stanley.

Thomas Sullivan is a "truly great litigator," lauded by his peers as "one of the best at the Illinois bar." He also comes recommended for his academic contributions, having produced a number of articles and reports. Former US attorney Anton Valukas is chair of one of the firm's litigation groups and has defended a wide range of cases, such as a wrongful death case against a major food manufacturer stemming from a listeria outbreak. Contributors praised him as a "thorough, conscientious and talented" practitioner.

Robert Byman has worked on many high-profile cases, such as General Electric's dispute against General Motors and its subsidiary DirecTV. Lee Freeman completes the firm's contingent on these pages. His antitrust litigation work on the plaintiff's side won particular praise from contributors.

Winston & Strawn LLP boasts four practitioners in this year's edition, and has a reputation for "stellar performances" in high-stakes litigation. Members of the group are representing a collection of financial entities including Credit Suisse Securities, Morgan Stanley and Lehman Brothers in a securities class action arising from debt offerings by Sears Roebuck Acceptance Corp. Firm chairman Dan Webb received more recommendations than any other lawyer in the research. One source enthused that Webb "is probably the best in the city, if not the country". "Endlessly energetic, resourceful and perceptive", he has represented clients including Altria Group, American Airlines, Cisco Systems, Philip Morris and Wyeth.
Kimball Anderson was also the subject of a great deal of praise for his "cool analysis of even the trickiest situation". Over his 31-year career at the firm, he has represented Hoover, Lear Corporation and WMS Gaming. He also represented the Illinois Council of Long-Term Health Care before the US Supreme Court.
This year, Bradley Lerman and Timothy Rooney also appear. "Rising star" Lerman acts for clients such as Abbott, Morningstar and Morgan Stanley, and Rooney was noted for his work representing Bell Atlantic in its investigation by the Justice Department relating to mergers with fellow telecom companies GTE and NYNEX. He also acts for Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Co in litigation arising from the 1992 Great Chicago Flood.

Mayer Brown LLP's contingent has also increased, despite Alan Salpeter's departure to Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP - four of its litigators appear on these pages. The firm's dispute resolution pedigree is renowned. Its litigators were national counsel to Dow Chemical in breast implant litigation, and acted for America Online in its Access Litigation. Other clients include GATX, Merrill Lynch, Ameritrade and BMW Financial. Vincent Connelly is, "for sure, one of the leaders in the region", representing a wide range of clients in both white-collar and commercial matters. A "hardy contender with vast reserves of experience", competitors admire his "enviable track record".
Stephen Shapiro founded the firm's Supreme Court and appellate litigation practice group, and peers lauded his "top-notch appeals practice". In 2007 he acted on a Supreme Court securities litigation, successfully arguing that secondary participants may not be sued for "scheme liability" under federal securities laws.
Michele Odorizzi's "undisputed flair and technical skill" at the appellate level won high praise from contributors, and she often appears before the United States Supreme Court in high-profile cases, such as the Parmalat litigation. Other matters include representing DowBrands, Dow Chemical and Ernst & Young. Thomas Durkin completes Mayer Brown's line-up. A seasoned trial lawyer with a broad range of experience over 50 federal trials, he is a "well-known and respected" figure in the state.

Sidley Austin LLP also boasts a "first-rate" four-partner contingent in the chapter. The firm counts AT&T, eBay, Marathon Oil and HSBC among its clients, and is serving as Bank of America's global counsel in connection with the Parmalat bankruptcy litigation. Former assistant US attorney William Conlon is a "top-drawer litigator" and highly rated by peers. Sources drew attention to his recent defence of Goldman Sachs in the Archipelago litigation as an example of his "formidable track record".
Management committee chairman Charles Douglas's broad-based practice includes securities, patent and antitrust litigation. He won a case for IBP brought against the company by the US Department of Agriculture. Walter Carlson's financial and securities litigation practice is well regarded in the state and nationwide. He has defended Bayer in New York, and is representing Huntington Bank Shares in litigation arising from problems in the subprime mortgate market. Scott Lassar is Sidley's final representative in this chapter. A former US attorney for the Northern District of Illinois and Chicago, Lassar is a "pre-eminent" trial lawyer, handling matters ranging from securities litigation, white-collar defence and representation before the US Securities and Exchange Commission.

Kirkland & Ellis LLP's Richard Godfrey "deserves to be on any list", according to respondents to the survey. An "exceptional litigator", his client roster includes BMW, Walgreens, BP America and Aon. David Bernick is also highly regarded in the state. Peers recommend him as a "major player" and point to his track record, which includes representing Apple in class actions relating to the iPod, and acting for Imperial Tobacco of Canada in litigation related to Flintkote Corporation. Steve Patton is a "bet-the-company specialist", who has represented Verizon Wireless and Vodafone Americas in class actions alleging price discrimination.

At McDermott Will & Emery LLP, Jeffrey Stone is the leader of the trial department. A "leader in the field", he practises in the areas of complex commercial litigation, white-collar defence, internal investigations and RICO. Steven Handler is recommended for his "excellent bankruptcy work", which forms part of a broad-based litigation practice. Michael Pope is a "fabulous" litigator, with experience in product liability matters, consumer fraud, reinsurance disputes and liability in complex business litigation.

Jones Day fields a well-respected duo on the following pages. Daniel Reidy is "a first-tier lawyer", well known for his representation of Abbott Laboratories in numerous cases. Thomas Gardner completes the firm's representation here. His clients include Bridgestone/Firestone, the Chamberlain Group and International Harvester.

Baker & McKenzie LLP's William Linklater has worked on a broad range of cases including commercial, white-collar and competition litigation, and commands "massive respect" among his peers. At Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP, Alan Salpeter recently represented Finish Line in the Finish Line/Genesco/UBS "busted merger" litigation.

Chicago's litigation boutiques are nationally renowned. Bartlit Beck Herman Palenchar & Scott LLP is "a force of nature", according to contributors. Philip Beck is "a star, at the top of his game". Cases include acting for George W Bush in the election dispute against Al Gore. Fellow name partner Fred Bartlit is "pre-eminent" and a "dean of the Bar".

At Williams Montgomery & John Ltd, Barry Montgomery is "highly regarded" among his peers. Representative cases include acting for an individual director and member of the audit committee of Boston Chicken in a breach of fiduciary duty matter arising out of the company's bankruptcy. Peter John also appears in our research. Recent highlights include representing Siemens Westinghouse Power Corp and WINFertility.

The "excellent" James Figliulo of Figliulo and Silverman is president of the 7th Circuit Bar Association and is "a joy to work with", according to contributors. At his own firm, Richard Prendergast is lauded as "a seasoned, well-respected and highly effective practitioner".

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