Rachel Haig is a litigation partner in the Chicago office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Her practice focuses on complex commercial litigation matters, and in particular high-stakes contract and business disputes. With experience in federal and state courts, Rachel has achieved favorable outcomes for clients through motion practice, trial, and negotiated settlements. She advises and advocates for clients across a variety of industries, including technology, oil & gas, and pharmaceutical clients.
Experience
Representative Matters
Contract and Business Disputes
Confidential Arbitration: Representing Fortune 500 company in breach of contract arbitration arising from contract amendments negotiated during COVID-19.
Confidential Arbitration: Representing plaintiff in action asserting wrongful transfer of LLC assets worth over $400 million.
Confidential Private Equity Portfolio Company: Advised on and achieved favorable settlement of dispute between private equity sponsor and portfolio company founders.
DaVita v. Baxter: Trial counsel for Baxter in breach of contract litigation alleging Baxter failed to supply sufficient peritoneal dialysis therapy. Reduced Baxter’s potential damage exposure by 97% at summary judgment and won dismissal of treble damages claim. Favorable settlement following bench trial..
Right Field Rooftops LLC v. Chicago Baseball Holdings LLC: Represented Chicago Cubs in breach of contract, defamation, and antitrust action in connection with Wrigley Field expansion. Successfully defeated temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction request and Court dismissed all counts with prejudice; Seventh Circuit affirmed.
Dyson v. Syncreon: Counsel for Dyson in breach of contract litigation against a third-party logistics provider involving fraudulent inducement, fraud, and breach of contract claims and counterclaims.
CF Industries Sales, LLC v. International Raw Materials, Ltd.: Counsel for CF Industries Sales, LLC in breach of contract litigation relating to fertilizer storage and sales.
Recent Trial Victories
Martin v. Actavis, et al.: Trial counsel for Actavis, Inc. (n/k/a Allergan) in successful defense of litigation alleging injuries from Androderm®, a testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) drug. In August 2021, after less than one hour of deliberation, a seven-person jury returned a unanimous defense verdict following a two-week trial.
Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund Litigation: Representing BP in multi-state litigation and government investigations alleging fraudulent misrepresentations and non-disclosure of material information to regulators related to State trust funds for environmental cleanup. Obtained complete defense verdict after jury trial in South Carolina state court. Also won multiple summary judgment victories and favorable dispositive rulings in similar suits filed in Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, South Dakota, and Utah. Managing the continued coordinated defense against other suits and government investigations nationwide, most brought by State AGs.
Employment Litigation
AbbVie v. Williams: Won temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction for AbbVie Inc. against former employee who secretly joined competing pharmaceutical company. After a week-long evidentiary hearing, the court granted AbbVie’s requested preliminary injunction in full barring defendant’s employment at competitor.
Confidential Employment Litigation: Defended a Fortune 100 pharmaceutical company in employment litigation alleging retaliation in violation of the state of Connecticut's free speech statute.
Class Actions
Ramos v. ZoomInfo: Representing ZoomInfo in putative class action challenging the publication of directory preview pages.
Falkner v. IBM: Represented IBM in class action by motorists challenging the constitutionality of City of Chicago red light cameras and the City’s contract with IBM. Complete dismissal of all claims at pleading stage.
Bankruptcy-Related Litigation
In re Neiman Marcus Group LTD LLC: Litigation counsel for Neiman Marcus Group LTD LLC and affiliates in their pre-arranged Chapter 11 cases. The Company successfully completed its restructuring of over $5.5 billion of funded indebtedness in under five months.
Paragon Litigation Trust v. Noble Offshore plc et al.: Counsel for the Paragon Litigation Trust in a fraudulent transfer action to recover more than $2.6 billion based on Noble’s spin-off of Paragon. Case settled following defendant filing for bankruptcy.
Clerk & Government Experience
Judicial ExternHonorable Edmond E. ChangUnited States District Court for the Northern District of IllinoisSpring 2012
Prior Experience
Assistant Site Editor of Morningstar.com, Morningstar, Inc., Chicago, IL, 2009–2010
Product Consultant, Morningstar, Inc., Chicago, IL, 2008–2009
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Memberships & Affiliations
Board of Directors, Chicago Debates: Non-profit supporting debate programs in Chicago Public Schools
Credentials
Admissions & Qualifications
2013Illinois
Education
Northwestern Pritzker School of LawJ.D.magna cum laude2013
Order of the Coif
Associate Editor, Northwestern University Law Review
Northwestern UniversityB.A., Political Science2008
