The attorneys at Sullivan & Associates have significant experience in business litigation, ranging from the most complex matters, to the routine. Sullivan & Associates is highly experienced in matters including but not limited to, contract litigation, partnership and shareholder litigation, breach of fiduciary duty and fraud claims. In addition, our attorneys have prosecuted and defended significant preliminary and permanent injunctions and temporary restraining orders.
Representative Experience
Complex Commercial Litigation Experience
Represented the Director of the Illinois Department of Insurance in his capacity as Liquidator of the Estate of a life insurance company. Suit sought to recover excess commissions of over $200,000 paid to former agent. Tried case for 10 days before the Honorable Judge Appleton in Sangamon County Circuit Court. Judgment for Director.
Represented Cook County-based wastewater treatment facility in extended negotiations with Environmental Protection Agency. Negotiated consent order that allowed company to continue operating in face of immediate shutdown threats from government bodies.
Defended a petroleum byproducts refinery in claims alleging breach of contract concerning distribution of recycled petroleum byproducts. Case dismissed by prosecuting entity on the day of the trial.
Successfully tried to verdict in the Circuit Court of Cook County a breach of contract case centered on a complex network of bank and personal loans secured by real estate held in a land trust.
Represented a corporation, which provides financial products, services, and advice to individuals and corporate clients, in a multiple-day trial on breach of contract and misappropriation of trade secrets. Obtained a six-figure judgment.
Represented a Texas-based petroleum production company from claims brought by federal court receivers for client’s alleged participation in an alleged Ponzi scheme.
Partnership Disputes
Represented various business owners in the service/hospitality industry regarding partnership disputes, breach of fiduciary duty, commercial debt disputes, and legal malpractice.
Breach of Fiduciary Duty Claims
Represented an investor in a venture capital fund in a breach of fiduciary duties and breach of contract lawsuit against fund management. Obtained a seven-figure settlement after multiple-day mediation.
Fraud Claims
Represented a U.K.-based furniture designer in a fraud and patent infringement case brought against an Illinois furniture manufacturer and distributor. We obtained a favorable settlement of all intellectual property claims.
Represented sellers of Chicago area real estate against allegations of fraudulent concealment and misrepresentation in connection with alleged latent property defects. After cross-examination, successfully moved court to disqualify plaintiffs’ expert damages witness on the fourth day of a weeklong jury trial in the Circuit Court of Cook County. Case settled on favorable terms for defendants.
Shareholder Suits
Represented Plaintiffs against one of the largest manufacturers of private-brand food products pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Represented a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) appointed receiver in shareholder litigation to recoup company money based on fraudulent conduct.
Securities and Accounting Fraud
Successfully defended an individual investor in an SBIC Act limited liability company against claims for $1.4 million.
Represented a widow in FINRA against a clearing house based on false representations set forth in Defendants’ prospectus.
Trade Secrets Actions
Defended chemical supplier in lawsuit alleging violations of the Illinois Trade Secrets Act with regards to customer lists and pricing information. After successfully moving court for admission of requests to admit, obtained favorable settlement of all pending claims.
Successfully tried to verdict a case in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York alleging our client induced an individual to breach his restrictive covenants and misappropriated proprietary information.
Antitrust Violations
Brought Antitrust and Racketeer Influence and Corrupt Organization claims (RICO) against a certification board on behalf of a class pursuant to the Clayton and Sherman Acts.
Separately Engaged Trial Counsel
Subsequent to be engaged as trial counsel 90 days prior to trial in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, defended a charitable fundraiser against fraud and breach of contract claims brought by one of the United States’ leading charitable organizations.