Richard C. Godfrey, P.C. - Partner

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Richard C. Godfrey, P.C.

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Chicago
Phone: +1 312-862-2391
Fax: +1 312-862-2200
  • 1979, Illinois
  • Boston University School of Law, J.D., 1979, magna cum laude


    1977-1978 - Law Review Staff

    1978-1979 - Note & Case Editor, Law Review

    Book Awards in Constitutional Law and Federal Taxation

    1998 - "Silver Shingle Alumni Award" for "Distinguished Service to the Law School"

    Annual Fund Chairman for the Law School, 2006-2008

  • Augustana College, B.A., 1976, magna cum laude


    Phi Beta Kappa
Overview News

Professional Profile

Mr. Godfrey is a senior litigation partner in the Chicago office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. He serves as a member of Kirkland’s Worldwide Management Committee.

He has acted as trial and appellate counsel in both individual and class action suits involving complex claims in a variety of practice areas, including: antitrust and trade regulation, contracts, consumer fraud and fraud, discrimination, ERISA, environmental, franchise and distribution, insurance, toxic tort, products liability, trade secrets, tax, and others. Mr. Godfrey also provides strategic litigation counseling to corporations and individuals on regulatory, administrative and legislative matters.

Mr. Godfrey has acted as lead counsel in litigation matters representing the following companies, among others:

3M Airco/BOC Group Allstate
American Suzuki Ameritech/SBC Amoco
Aon Atlantic Richfield Co. ATOFINA Chemicals
Blue Cross Blue Shield Assoc. BMW BP p.l.c.
BP America Citicorp ExxonMobil
FMC General Growth Properties GM
GMAC Handleman Company Health Care Service Corporation
Illinois Tool Works International Harvester Lincoln Benefit Life Co.
Lincoln Electric Madison Dearborn Partners Masonite
MIC Property & Casualty Moody's Investors Nationwide
Repsol YPF, S.A. Saab Saturn
ServiceMaster Skidmore, Owings Vulcan Materials Company
Walgreens Weil-McLain YPF, S.A.


Memberships & Affiliations

Trustee, Boston University; also Member, Dean’s Advisory Board, Boston University School of Law

Trustee, Augustana College (IL)

Trustee, Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Member, Board of Directors, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce

Member, Board of Directors, The Appleseed Foundation (Washington, D.C.)

Member, Board of Directors, National Center for State Courts; also Co-Chair, Lawyer’s Committee, National Center for State Courts (Williamsburg, VA)

Member, Board of Directors, The Churchill Centre; formerly a Trustee, American Friends of the Churchill Museum (War Cabinet Rooms, London)
(Washington, D.C.)

Member, Board of Governors, The Mid-America Club (IL)  

Member of the Civic Committee, The Commercial Club of Chicago

Member of the American, Illinois, Chicago, 5th and 7th Circuit Bar Associations; and Member, Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation

 

Recent Representative Client Matters (2007-2010)

  • ExxonMobil Corp. v. Gill, 221 S.W.3d 841, 2007 Tex. App. LEXIS 2819, 2007 WL 1080655 (Tex. App. Apr. 12, 2007), reversed in favor of Exxon, ___S.W.3d___ (Tex. S. Ct., Nov. 20, 2009), petition for rehearing denied (Jan. 15, 2010) (Represent ExxonMobil in putative statewide dealer class action alleging breach of contract and fraudulent concealment over gasoline pricing)
     
  • In re General Growth Properties, Inc., 409 B.R. 43, 51 Bankr.Ct.Dec. 280 (S.D.N.Y., August 11, 2009) (Represented various project-level debtors in opposition to motion to dismiss Chapter 11 filings; bench trial opinion denying motions)
     
  • Autry Petroleum Co. v. BP Products N. Am., Inc., 2008 WL 360628 (M.D. Ga. Feb. 8, 2008), motion for reconsideration denied, 2008 WL 693800 (M.D. Ga. Mar. 12, 2008), affirmed, ___F.3d___ (11th Cir., June 26, 2009), petition for rehearing by Autry denied (November 25, 2009) (Represented BP in putative nationwide class action brought by jobbers alleging violations of the UCC and breach of contract over gasoline prices)
     
  • Nolan v. Weil-McLain, 233 Ill.2d 416, 910 N.E.2d 549, 331 Ill. Dec. 140, WL 1012147 Ill. (April 16, 2009), petition for rehearing denied (June 11, 2009), and reversing, 365 Ill.App.3d 963, 851 N.E.2d 281, 303 Ill. Dec. 383 (Ill App. Ct. 4th Dist., 2006) (Lead counsel on appeal representing Weil-McLain; Illinois Supreme Court reversed lower courts' entry of adverse jury verdict and judgment in an asbestos case, setting aside what was known as the "Lipke" rule)
     
  • MDL 1532:  In re New Motor Vehicles Canadian Exp. Antitrust Litig., 632 F.Supp.2d 42 (D. Me., July 2, 2009) (summary judgment ruling in favor of defendants in multidistrict litigation antitrust case); 2009 WL 861485 (D. Me., March 26, 2009). See also 522 F.3d 6 (1st Cir. Mar. 28, 2008), motion for rehearing denied, (1st Cir. May 2008); 533 F.3d 1, 2008 WL 2568457, 2571402 (1st Cir. June 30, 2008), and other opinions reported at: 307 F.Supp.2d 136 (D. Me. 2004); 490 F.Supp.2d 12 (2007); 2006 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 10240 (D. Me. Mar. 10, 2006); 235 F.R.D. 127 (D. Me. 2006); 236 F.R.D. 53 (D. Me. 2006); 466 F.Supp.2d 364 (D. Me. 2006); 241 F.R.D. 77 (D. Me. 2007); 243 F.R.D. 17, 20 (D. Me. 2007); 244 F.R.D. 70 (D. Me. 2007); 2008 WL 583548 (D. Me. Jan. 29, 2008); 2008 WL 1924993 (Apr. 29, 2008); 2009 WL 861485 (March 26, 2009); 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 30260 (April 2, 2009) (Represent GM, General Motors of Canada, Saab Cars USA Inc., Saturn Corp., and GMAC LLC in putative class action alleging antitrust conspiracy))
     
  • Guest v. Allstate Ins. Co., 145 N.M. 797, 205 P.3d 844, 2009 WL 1007415 (Feb. 17, 2009), certiorari to New Mexico Supreme Court granted (April 2, 2009) (Represent Allstate on appeal in breach of indemnity, prima facie tort, and punitive damages case)
     
  • Koch Business Holdings, LLC v. Amoco Pipeline Holding Company, 554 F.3d 1334 (11th Cir., Jan. 14, 2009), petition for rehearing denied (June 15, 2009) (Represent Amoco on appeal in breach of contract case)
     
  • R.R. Street & Co., Inc., et al. v. Vulcan Materials Co., 2008 WL 2961314, 2008 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 60586, (N.D. Ill., July 31, 2008), reversed, 569 F.3d 711 (7th Cir., June 25, 2009), petition for rehearing denied (7th Cir., July 29, 2009) (Represented Vulcan in declaratory judgment action alleging existence and breach of indemnity agreement)
     
  • Puffer v. Allstate Insurance Company, 614 F.Supp.2d 905 (N.D.Ill. 2009); 255 F.R.D. 450, 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 3533, 2009 WL 136097 (N.D. Ill., Jan. 15, 2009), Rule 23 (f) petition by Puffer denied (7th Cir., March 25, 2009); 2009 WL 669780, 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 20577 (March 12, 2009) (Represent Allstate in putative gender discrimination class action; plaintiff's motion for class certification denied)
     
  • Flanagan v. Allstate Ins. Co., 2008 WL 2338625(N.D. Ill. May 23, 2008) (summary judgment opinion against (b)(3) class); see also Rule 23(b)(2) class decision reported at 400 F.3d 505 (7th Cir. 2005) (Represented Allstate in putative class action alleging ERISA and constructive discharge claims); additional trial court opinions reported at 581 F. Supp. 2d 920, 2008 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 85400 (Aug. 20, 2008); 2008 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 23371 (N.D. Ill. Mar. 21, 2008); 2008 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 22040 (N.D. Ill. Mar. 14, 2008); 2007 WL 3085903 (N.D. Ill. Oct. 18, 2007); 2007 WL 2410076 (N.D. Ill. Aug. 17, 2007); 2007 WL 2317178 (N.D. Ill. July 20, 2007); 2007 WL 1381524 (N.D. Ill. May 3, 2007); 242 F.R.D. 434 (N.D. Ill. May 2, 2007); 242 F.R.D. 421 (N.D. Ill. Feb. 9, 2007); 2006 WL 1444919 (N.D. Ill. Jan. 11, 2006)
     
  • Flagler Automotive, Inc., et al. v. ExxonMobil Corp., appeal dismissed (2d Cir., Feb. 2009), 582 F.Supp.2d 367, 2008 WL 4604085 (E.D.N.Y. 2008) 67 U.C.C. Rep. Serv. 2d (Callaghan) (Represented Exxon Mobil in putative nationwide class action brought by dealers alleging violations of the UCC and breach of contract with respect to gasoline pricing)
     
  • Romero v. Allstate Ins. Co., consolidated with EEOC v. Allstate Ins. Co., 2007 WL 906158 (E.D. Pa. Mar. 21, 2007); 2007 WL 1811197 (E.D. Pa. June 20, 2007), reversed, 2009 WL 2255817 (3d Cir. July 29, 2009) (Represent Allstate in a case brought by the EEOC and a putative class of former employee insurance agents alleging age discrimination, and ERISA, breach of contract and fiduciary claims, among others); see also earlier decision reported at 404 F.3d 212 (3d Cir. 2005)
     
  • BP Amoco Chemical Co. v. Flint Hills Resources, LLC, 615 F.Supp.2d 765 (N.D.Ill., May 20, 2009); 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 32708, 2009 WL 1033373 (N.D. Ill., April 17, 2009); 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 13524, 600 F.Supp.2d 976, 2009 WL 449081 (N.D. Ill., Feb. 23, 2009); Slip Copy, 2008 WL 487689 (N.D. Ill., Aug. 28, 2008); 500 F.Supp.2d 957 (N.D. Ill. 2007); 489 F.Supp.2d 853 (N.D. Ill. 2007); 2006 WL 2505691 (N.D. Ill. Aug. 25, 2006) (Represent BP Amoco in case alleging breach of contract and fraud arising out of sale of chemical plant)
     
  • Siegel v. Shell Oil Co., ___F.Supp.2d___, 2009 WL 2905552 (N.D.Ill., Sept. 4, 2009), appeal pending (7th Cir. 2009); 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 13520, 2009 WL 449073 (Feb. 23, 2009); 2008 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 72314 (N.D. Ill., Sept. 23, 2008) (class certification denied); 2008 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 72314, 2008 WL 4378399 (Sept. 23, 2008); 480 F.Supp.2d 1034 (N.D. Ill. 2007) (Represent BP in putative consumer class action challenging gasoline pricing)
     
  • New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, et al. v. Occidental Chemical Corp., et al., petition for leave to appeal denied (Superior Ct. N.J., Appellate Div., Oct. 17, 2008) (Represent Repsol and YPF on petition for leave to appeal regarding personal jurisdiction ruling in alleged environmental contamination case)
     
  • DAG Petroleum Suppliers, L.L.C. v. BP p.l.c., 452 F.Supp.2d 641 (E.D. Va. 2006), and 2006 WL 2938721 (E.D. Va. Sept. 15, 2006), aff'd,  268 Fed.Appx. 236, 2008 WL 193193 (4th Cir. Jan. 23, 2008), petition re rehearing and rehearing en banc denied (4th Cir. Feb. 19, 2008) (Represented BP parties in case alleging business conspiracy and discrimination)
     
  • Daniel v. Aon Corp., No. 1-06-0240, Slip. Op. (1st Dist. Ill. App., June 19, 2008), petition for rehearing denied (Represent Aon parties in putative class action involving allegations of breach of fiduciary duty, constructive trust, and claimed violations of consumer fraud statutes); see also related cases in MDL 1663:  In re Ins. Brokerage Antitrust Litig., 2008 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 2818 (D.N.J. Jan. 14, 2008); 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 74711 (D.N.J. Oct. 5, 2007); 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 73220 (D.N.J. Sept. 28, 2007); 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 65037 & 64767 (D.N.J. Aug. 31, 2007); 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 47659 (D.N.J. June 29, 2007); 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 40729 (D.N.J. June 5, 2007); 2007 WL 1062980 (D.N.J. Apr. 5, 2007); 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 17019 (March 3, 2009); 2008 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 63633, 2008 WL 3887616 (Aug. 20, 2008); 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 17754; 17755 (Feb. 17, 2009) (Represent Aon party defendants in putative antitrust and RICO class actions)
     
  • EEOC v. Allstate Ins. Co, 528 F.3d 1042 (8th Cir. June 10, 2008), 2008 U.S. App. LEXIS 27480, decision vacated on petition for rehearing and appeal dismissed for lack of jurisdiction (8th Cir., Sept. 8, 2008) (Represent Allstate in case brought by EEOC alleging age discrimination); see also opinions reported at 458 F.Supp.3d 980 (E.D. Mo. 2006); 2007 WL 38675 (E.D. Mo. Jan. 4, 2007)
     
  • In re Crude Oil Commodity Litig., 2007 WL 1946553 (S.D.N.Y. June 28, 2007), appeal dismissed (2d Cir. Feb. 2008) (Represented BP in alleged commodities price manipulation case)
     
  • Warriner, et al. v. 3M Company, No. 1-07-2374, Slip Op. (1st Dist. Ill. App., July 31, 2008) (Represented 3M in putative class action brought under the Illinois Consumer Fraud Act)
     
  • MDL 1510:  In re Daewoo Motor Co., Ltd. Dealership Litig., and Daewoo Motor America, Inc. v. General Motors Corp., 315 B.R. 148 (M.D. Fla. 2004), aff'd, 459 F.3d 1249 (11th Cir. 2006), cert. denied, 127 S. Ct. 2032 (2007) (Represented GM in multi-district cases arising out of the sale of Korean automobile manufacture's assets)
     
  • UAW v. General Motors Corp., 235 F.R.D. 383, 2006 WL 1071904 (E.D. Mich. 2006); 2006 WL 891151 (E.D. Mich. 2006), affirmed, 497 F.3d 615 (6th Cir. 2007) (Represented GM in case involving retiree health care benefits alleging class action claims under ERISA and LMRA)
     
  • Int'l Union v. General Motors Corp., 2008 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 92590, 2008 WL 2968408, 156 Lab.Cas. P 11,098 (E.D. Mich., July 31, 2008); 2008 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 16767 (E.D. Mich. Mar. 5, 2008) (Represent GM in case involving retiree health care benefits alleging class action claims under ERISA and LMRA)
     
  • DeHoyos v. Allstate Corp., 240 F.R.D. 269 (W.D. Tex. Feb. 21, 2007), 2007 WL 979936 (W.D. Tex. Mar. 28, 2007); see also 2006 WL 2329417 (W.D. Tex. June 2, 2006) (Represented Allstate in putative class action alleging discrimination)
     
  • Allstate Ins. Co. v. Holy Cross Hosp., Inc., 895 So.2d 1241 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2005), aff'd, 961 So.2d 328 (Fla. 2007) (Represented Allstate in Florida Appeals and Supreme Courts on appeal of adverse trial court decision involving application of state insurance statute)
      
  • Nat'l Accident Ins. Underwriters, Inc. v. Citibank, F.S.B., 533 F.Supp.2d 784, 2007 WL 4893475 (N.D. Ill. 2007) (Represented Citibank in case alleging conversion)
     
  • In re Country Mutual Insurance Company, 889 N.E.2d 209, 321 Ill. Dec. 305 (Ill. 2007) (Represented amicus Property Casualty Insurers' Association of America in insurance case)
     
  • Nationwide Mut. Fire Ins. Co. v. Cent. Fla. Physiatrists, P.A., 851 So.2d 762, subsequently overruled by Florida Supreme Court in Allstate Ins. Co. v. Holy Cross Hosp. Inc., 961 So.2d 328 (Fla. 2007) (Represented Nationwide in 5th District Court of Appeals, and represented Allstate in Florida Fourth District Court of Appeals and Florida Supreme Court) 
     
  • City of Moundridge v. Exxon Mobil Corp., 2008 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 31236 (D.D.C., April 16, 2008) (Represent BP America in case alleging antitrust conspiracy with respect to natural gas prices); see also decisions reported at 244 F.R.D. 10 (D.D.C. 2007), and 471 F. Supp. 2d 20 (D.D.C. 2007)
     
  • Marcoux v. Shell Oil Products Co., LLC, 524 F.3d 33 (1st Cir. 2008) (Represent BP Products as amicus in case alleging violations of the UCC and challenging supplier's gasoline prices)
     
  • BMW of North America LLC v. Illinois Motor Vehicle Review Board and Motor Werks Partners, L.P., Nos. 1-04-1627, 3523 and 3626 consolidated, Slip Op. (1st Dist. Ill. App., May 30, 2008) (Represent BMW in appeals from decisions of the Illinois Motor Vehicle Review Board)

 

Other Representative Client Matters (Pre-2006)

MDL Cases

  • MDL 1134: In re Underground Petroleum Storage Tanks Litigation: see also Lynn v. Amoco Oil Co., 459 F.Supp.2d 1175 (M.D. Ala. 2006) (Represented Amoco and BP Exploration in putative environmental conspiracy class action brought by landowners)
     
  • MDL 1471:  In re Comp. of Managerial, Prof'l & Technical Employees Antitrust Litig., 2006 WL 361383 (D.N.J. Feb. 15, 2006); 2006 WL 38937 (D.N.J. Jan. 5, 2006); 2003 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 22836 (D.N.J. May 22, 2003); 2006 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 249 (D.N.J. Jan. 4, 2006) see also Todd v. Exxon Corp. 275 F.3d 191 (2d Cir. 2001) (Represent BP, Amoco and ARCO in putative class action alleging antitrust conspiracy regarding employee compensation)
     
  • MDL 1358:  In re Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether ("MTBE") Prods. Liab. Litig,. 209 F.R.D. 323 (S.D.N.Y. 2002) (Represent BP Corp. North America, Amoco and Atlantic Richfield in putative environmental class action)
     
  • MDL 1123: In re Amoco Advertising Litigation; see also Oliveira v. Amoco Oil Co., 311 Ill. App. 3d 886, 726 N.E.2d 51 (Ill. App. Ct. 4th Dist. 2000), rev'd, 201 Ill.2d 134, 776 N.E.2d 151, 267 Ill.Dec. 14 (Ill. 2002), petition for rehearing denied (Represented Amoco in putative consumer class action over advertising for premium gasoline)
     
  • MDL 425: In Re Litigation Involving the State of Iran (Islamic Republic of Iran), 1980 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 16559 (Represented Skidmore, Owings & Merrill in lawsuit and in arbitration); the arbitration proceeding was captioned Arensberg, et al. v. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development of the Islamic Republic Of Iran, Iran Award 213-61-1, 10 Iran-U.S.C.T.R. 37, 1986 WL 424375 (Iran-U.S.Cl.Trib.)
     
  • MDL 376: In Re Oil Spill by the "Amoco Cadiz" Off The Coast Of France on Mar. 16, 1978, 4 F.3d 997 (7th Cir. 1993); 954 F.2d 1279 (7th Cir. 1992) (Represented Amoco parties in the multi-district litigation arising from the wreck of the crude oil supertanker, Amoco Cadiz, off the coast of France in March 1978)
     

Illinois Supreme Court Cases

  • Jespersen d/b/a/ Trim-Line Of Chicago, Inc., et al. v. The Minnesota, Mining and Manufacturing Company ("3M"), 681 N.E.2d 67, 288 Ill. App. 3d 889 (1st Dist. Ill. 1997), aff'd, 183 Ill. 2d 290, 700 N.E.2d 1014, 233 Ill.Dec. 306 (Ill. 1998). (Represented 3M in a putative class action brought by terminated distributors)
     
  • Fields Jeep-Eagle, Inc, v. Chrysler Corp., 163 Ill.2d 462, 645 N.E.2d 946, 206 Ill.Dec. 694 (Ill. 1994) (Represented GM in three consolidated lawsuits challenging constitutionality of Illinois Motor Vehicle Franchise Act)
     
  • Postma v. Jack Brown Buick, Inc., 157 Ill.2d 391, 626 N.E.2d 199, 193 Ill.Dec 166 (1993), rehearing denied (1994)  (Represented GM in case alleging violations of the Illinois Motor Vehicle Franchise Act)
     
  • Moody's Investors Serv., Inc. v. Dep't Of Revenue, 112 Ill.App.3d 1024, 445 N.E.2d 1331, 68 Ill.Dec. 478 (Ill. App. Ct. 4th Dist. 1983), aff'd, 101 Ill.2d 291, 461 N.E.2d 972, 78 Ill.Dec. 138 (Ill. 1984) (Represented Moody's in its challenge to the applicability and constitutionality of certain tax statutes to Moody's Illinois business)


Federal Courts of Appeals Cases

  • Hayden v. Atochem N. Am., 210 F.3d 369 (5th Cir. 2000) (Unpublished) (Represented Elf/ATOFINA Chemicals, Inc. on appeal of a class settlement in alleged environmental contamination and personal injury toxic torts case)
     
  • Durant, et al. v. TruGreen, 2004 U.S. App. LEXIS 16728 (6th Cir. 2004) (Represented TruGreen and ServiceMaster in a putative consumer class action)
     
  • McGuirk, et al. v. Amoco Oil Co., 889 F.2d 734 (6th Cir. 1989) (Represented Amoco in breach of contract, conversion, and good faith pricing case)
     
  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield Ass'n v. American Express Co., 467 F.3d 634 (7th Cir. 2006) (Represented Blue Cross in second appeal concerning trade marks and enforcement of a settlement)
     
  • Isbell v. Allstate Ins. Co., 418 F.3d 788 (7th Cir. 2005), cert. denied, 547 U.S. 1021 (2006) (Represented Allstate in case alleging claims under ERISA, the ADEA and ADA)
     
  • In re K-Mart Corp., 359 F.3d 866 (7th Cir. 2004) (Represented Handleman Company on appeal of an adverse bankruptcy court decision involving critical vendor payments)
     
  • Stone Container, et al. v. Aon Risk Services, et al, 323 F.3d 507 (7th Cir. 2003) (Represented Aon in case alleging negligence and breach of fiduciary duty)
     
  • 3M v. Pribyl, et al., 259 F.3d 587 (7th Cir. 2001) (Represented 3M on appeal in trade secrets case)
     
  • Thomas v. Check Into Cash of Indiana, L.L.C., No. 00-1276, Order of Dismissal (7th Cir., April 5, 2000) (Represented Check Into Cash in putative class action alleging consumer fraud)
     
  • Smith v. Check Into Cash of Illinois, L.L.C., affirmed, No. 00-1054 (7th Cir., Feb. 2, 2000) (Represented Check Into Cash in putative class action alleging consumer fraud; judgment for Check Into Cash affirmed)
     
  • Tuf Racing Prods., Inc. v. Am. Suzuki Motor Corp., 223 F.3d 585 (7th Cir. 2000) (Represented American Suzuki in alleged breach of contract and statutory violation case)
     
  • Trident Inv. Mgmt., Inc. v. Amoco Oil Co., 194 F.3d 772 (7th Cir. 1999) (Represented Amoco on appeal from an adverse jury verdict in an environmental contamination case)
     
  • Fields v. Gen. Motors Corp., 932 F. Supp. 212 (N.D. Ill. 1996), affirmed, 121 F.3d 271 (7th Cir. 1997) (Represented GM in breach of contract and promissory estoppel lawsuit)
     
  • Ormsby Motors, Inc. v. Gen. Motors Corp., 842 F. Supp. 344 (N.D. Ill. 1994), appeal dismissed, 32 F.3d 240 (7th Cir. 1994) (Represented GM in dealer termination lawsuit)
     
  • Carney v. Gen. Motors Corp., 23 F.3d 1154 (7th Cir.1994) (Represented GM in breach of contract and tort suit)
     
  • Hanley Dawson Cadillac v. Gen. Motors Corp., 977 F.2d 369 (7th Cir. 1992) (Represented GM in lawsuit alleging breach of real estate contract, statutory violations, and tortious interference)
     
  • Remus v. Amoco Oil Co., 611 F.Supp. 885 (E.D. Wis. 1985), aff'd 794 F.2d 1238 (7th Cir. 1986) (Represented Amoco in a putative dealer class action suit challenging Amoco's Discount For Cash marketing program and gasoline prices)
     
  • Montgomery v. Amoco Oil Co., 804 F.2d 1000 (7th Cir. 1986) (Represented Amoco in a putative dealer class action lawsuit challenging Amoco's Discount For Cash marketing program and gasoline prices)
     
  • Deluxe Ice Cream Co. v. R.C.H. Tool Corp., 726 F.2d 1209 (7th Cir. 1984) (Represented RCH Tool in breach of warranty case)
     
  • Lincoln Benefit Life Co, Inc.. v. eWealth USA, Inc., 48 Fed.Appx. 227 (8th Cir. 2002) (unpublished), cert. denied, 538 U.S. 961, 123 S.Ct. 1757  (2003) (Represented Lincoln Benefit in breach of contract case)
     
  • R.M. Taylor, Inc. v. Gen. Motors Corp., 187 F.3d 809 (8th Cir. 1999) (Represented GM on appeal from adverse jury verdict in case alleging breach of contract and promissory estoppel)
     
  • Bains LLC d/b/a Flying B v. Arco Products Co., 405 F.3d. 764 (9th Cir. 2005) (Represented ARCO on appeal from in an alleged employment discrimination case)
     
  • City of San Diego v. Amoco Chem. Co., 9 Fed.Appx. 598, 2001 WL 456787 (9th Cir. 2001) (unpublished) (Represented Amoco Chemical in products liability action); see also Brookings Mun. Utilities, Inc. v. Amoco Chem. Co., 103 F.Supp. 2d 1169 (S. D. 2000) (Represented Amoco in related products liability action)
     
  • Wayman v. Amoco Oil Co, 923 F.Supp. 1322 (D. Kan. 1996), aff'd, 145 F.3d 1347 (10th Cir. 1998) (Represented Amoco in challenge to Amoco's gasoline prices, rental charges, and Discount For Cash marketing program)
     
  • Rabbani v. Gen. Motors Corp., 252 F.3d 443 (11th Cir. 2001) (unpublished) (Represented GM in case alleging reverse discrimination)
     
  • Davis v. Carl Cannon Chevrolet-Olds, Inc., 182 F.3d 792 (11th Cir. 1999) (Represented GMAC in a putative Alabama class action alleging fraud with respect to the sale and financing of extended service warranty contracts)
     
  • Ellis v. Gen. Motors Acceptance Corp., 160 F.3d 703 (11th Cir. 1998) (Represented GMAC in a putative Alabama consumer class action alleging violations of TILA and state law with respect to the sale and financing of extended service warranty contracts)
     
  • Deere & Co. v. Int'l Harvester Co., 710 F.2d 1551 (Fed. Cir. 1983) Represented International Harvester on appeal of an adverse trial court decision in a patent infringement case)


Other State Appellate Courts 

  • Ex parte Masonite Corp., 681 So.2d 1068 (Ala. 1996) (Represented Masonite in putative nationwide products liability class action)
     
  • Amoco Oil Co. v. Ervin,  908 P.2d 493 (Colo. 1995), rehearing denied (1996) (Represented Amoco in challenge to Amoco's gasoline prices, and rent, credit card and Discount For Cash programs)
     
  • ServiceMaster Co. v. Martin, 252 Ga.App. 751, 556 S.E.2d 517 (Ga.App. 2001) (Represented ServiceMaster on appeal of adverse jury verdict in favor of former employee)
     
  • Elam v. Lincoln Elec. Co., 362 Ill.App.3d 884, 841 N.E.2d 1037, 299 Ill. Dec. 305 (Ill. App. Ct. 5th Dist. 2005), petition for leave to appeal denied, 218 Ill.2d 537, 850 N.E.2d 807 (Ill. 2006) (Represented Lincoln Electric, Hobart/Illinois Tool Works, and Airco/BOC Group, Inc. on appeal from an adverse jury verdict in the welding fumes litigation)
     
  • Todt v. Ameritech Corp., 327 Ill. App.3d 359, 763 N.E.2d 389, 261 Ill.Dec. 419 (Ill. App. Ct. 5th Dist. 2002) petition for leave to appeal to Illinois Supreme Court denied, 199 Ill.2d 580 775 N.E.2d 10, 266 Ill.Dec. 448 (Ill. May 30, 2002) (Represented the Ameritech parties in consumer class action)
     
  • Abbott v. Amoco Oil Co., 249 Ill.App.3d 744, 619 N.E.2d 789, 189 Ill.Dec. 88 (Ill.App. 2d Dist. 1993), petition for leave to appeal denied (Represented Amoco in case challenging Amoco's gasoline pricing and rents under its lease agreements)
     
  • General Motors Corp. v. Book Chevrolet, 979 S.W.2d 918 (Ky. 1998) (Represented GM in breach of contract and state statutory action case)
     
  • Metz v. Allstate Ins. Co., 164 Md.App. 386, 883 A.2d 943 (Md. Ct. of Spec. App. 2005) (Represented Allstate on appeal in case challenging an adverse ruling by the Maryland Insurance Commissioner concerning ownership of assets (book of businesses))
     
  • Ross v. Gen. Motors Corp, 2005 WL 3556109 (Mich. Ct. App., Dec. 29, 2005) (unpublished) (Represented GM on appeal in alleged employment discrimination case)
     
  • Abela v. Gen. Motors Corp., 257 Mich.App. 513, 669 N.W.2d 271 (Mich.App. 2003), aff'd, 469 Mich. 603, 677 N.W.2d 325 (Mich. 2004), cert. denied, 543 U.S. 870 (2004) (Represented GM in case challenging the enforceability of its arbitration agreements under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty--Federal Trade Commission Improvement Act and state lemon law)
     
  • Jim Lynch Cadillac, Inc. v. Gen. Motors Corp., 964 S.W.2d 560 (Mo.App. E.D. 1998) (Represented GM in alleged breach of contract, statutory violation, tortious interference, and fraud case)
     
  • Medley v. J.M. Williams Industrial Products, Inc., 49 Ohio 3d 606, 550 N.E.2d 950 (Ohio 1990) (Represented J.M. Williams in employment termination case)
     
  • Shell Oil Co. v. HRN, Inc., 144 S.W.3d 429 (Tex. 2004) (Represented amicus BP Products North America in case alleging gasoline overpricing) 

Other Distinctions

(i) Litigation Department of the Year 2008; Big Suits: U.S. v. BP et al., The American Lawyer, January 2008; Litigation Department of the Year Finalist, The American Lawyer, January 2004

(ii) Chambers USA profile (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 editions)

(iii) Benchmark: America's Leading Litigation Firms and Attorneys (National, Illinois and Antitrust)

(iv) The Best Lawyers In America (2010 Ed.)

(v) The 2006 BTI Client Services “All-Stars” Survey, BTI Consulting Group

(vi) Member, Warren E. Burger Society, National Center for State Courts (Williamsburg, VA)

(vii) Leading American Attorneys (Illinois); Leading Lawyers Network

(viii) “Who’s Who” in American Law and Executives & Professionals

(ix) Illinois Superlawyers 2005-2009–Business Litigation (Law and Politics, Chicago Magazine)

(x) Lawdragon 500: Leading Lawyers in America (2008-2009) 

(xi) Martindale-Hubbell, AV (highest possible) peer review rating

(xii) Co-author of a chapter in Business And Commercial Litigation In Federal Courts, Second Edition (R. L. Haig ed., West Group & ABA Section of Litigation)

Courts

Member of the bars of the United States Supreme Court and United States Court of Claims

Member of the bar, First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, and Eleventh Circuit Courts of Appeal

Member of the bar for the United States District Courts for the District of Colorado, the Northern District of Illinois, the Central District of Illinois, the Northern District of Indiana, the Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan, and the United States Tax Court
Chicago Hong Kong London Los Angeles Munich New York Palo Alto Shanghai Washington, D.C.