Amarto Bhattacharyya

Commercial Litigation

• American Airlines v. United Airlines, et al.: Trial counsel for United Airlines in dispute between hub airlines at O’Hare International Airport over reallocation of gates. After seven-day bench trial in Cook County, Illinois, court ruled entirely for client, denying competing airline’s attempt to block reallocation from occurring. Amarto was named as one of The American’s Lawyer’s Litigator of the Week Runners-Up.
• Endless River Tech. v. TransUnion: Part of Kirkland team that parachuted in months before federal jury trial, winning a zero damages judgment for TransUnion in the face of a $55 million damage claim arising out of contract and business tort claims brought by a former JV partner in a software development project. The trial team was featured as The American Lawyer’s Litigators of the Week.
• In re Pork Antitrust Litigation: Representing The Clemens Family Corporation in antitrust class action seeking treble damages for alleged conspiracy to raise pork prices by reducing supply and exchanging competitively sensitive information among pork producers.
• United States v. UnitedHealth Group: Counsel in antitrust litigation brought by DOJ challenging UnitedHealth Group’s $3.3 billion acquisition of Amedisys. After months of litigation, the parties agreed on a divestiture package and the deal successfully closed.
• PNC Bank National Assn. v. GEM Realty Fund V, LP: Lead counsel for owner of commercial real estate development in Delaware litigation alleging breach of contract, fraudulent transfer, conversion and waste related to operation and maintenance of office park in Dallas, TX. Case favorably settled.
• Deepwater Horizon: Representing BP in personal injury litigation relating to the oil spill by the oil rig “Deepwater Horizon” in the Gulf of Mexico on April 20, 2010.
• Stevens et al v. Kimberly-Clark Corporation: Represented Kimberly-Clark Corporation in wrongful death litigation and associated settlement negotiations.
• In re Takata Airbag Products Liability Litigation: Represented General Motors LLC in federal multi-district litigation involving alleged violations of state consumer fraud and federal RICO related to alleged rupture risks in certain Takata airbag inflators.
• Representing multiple policyholders in prosecuting claims under representations & warranties (R&W) insurance policies. Has successfully obtained substantial seven and eight figure recoveries for private equity clients.
• Represented multiple policyholders in litigation and/or settlement negotiations against D&O insurer, resulting in significant recoveries.
• Represented private equity firm in AAA arbitration regarding breach of contract and fraud claims brought by former owner of portfolio company.

Government & Internal Investigations

• Represented manufacturer in Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) investigation related to employee fatality at client facility. OSHA investigation completed with favorable findings.
• Assisted the Federal Monitor of an investor-owned utility, culminating in a 90-page monitor report detailing findings relating to safety and compliance issues.
• Assisted medical device manufacturer regarding Department of Justice investigation.
• Assisted building products manufacturer in internal Foreign Corrupt Practices Act investigation.

Restructuring

• In re Covia Holdings Corporation: Represented Covia Holdings Corporation and certain of its affiliates as trial counsel for contested matters relating to Covia’s Chapter 11 plan in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas. Covia provides diversified mineral-based and material solutions for global energy and industrial markets.

PILI Fellow at the Chicago Appleseed Fund for Justice, 2017

Teach For America, 2012–2014

Harte v. Board of Commissioners of Johnson County, Kansas, et al: Represented plaintiffs in federal court regarding claims brought under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 alleging Fourth Amendment violations by police.

Assisted state department of human rights in its investigation of discriminatory policing practices in a major U.S. city.

Successfully obtained asylum in federal immigration court for a woman and her young son, who had fled gang violence in Central America.

Assisting pro bono clients in immigration proceedings and asylum trial in federal immigration court.