Mr. Feeney has experience in a variety of commercial litigation matters, including antitrust defense, corporate control and fiduciary duty disputes, and restrictive covenant and trade secret litigation. In addition, he has substantial experience defending lawyers and law firms in legal malpractice suits and advising law firms and lawyers regarding their professional and ethical obligations. He has been teaching legal ethics as a Lecturer in Law at the University of Chicago Law School for nearly a decade. Mr. Feeney also regularly advises clients in disputes with governmental entities, including land use, public contracting and FOIA matters. His practice encompasses cases in both state and federal courts at the trial and appellate level.
Selected Engagements
Defended integrated supplier of chicken in several national antitrust actions alleging that U.S. chicken producers conspired to restrict supply and fix pricing, including obtaining summary judgment on all claims advanced by grocery chains and classes of direct purchasers and commercial indirect purchasers.
Represented international law firm in defense of nine-figure malpractice claims involving taxation of hedge fund's domestic and foreign partnership affiliates.
Litigated multiple cases involving the recording industry, including defending international recording artist against claims of copyright infringement and representing a law firm in a dispute over the value of a catalog of unreleased recordings of David Bowie and John Mellencamp.
Defended law firm against allegations of negligent drafting of an opinion letter in connection with publicly financed transaction, obtaining dismissal of claims after district court and appellate court ruled in client’s favor on question of first impression regarding statutory interpretation.
Defending large law firms and attorneys in connection with a variety of malpractice and fiduciary duty claims arising from litigation, corporate transactions, estate planning matters, secured lending, and tax advice.
Represented employers, employees and competitors in disputes regarding restrictive covenants, trade secrets and fiduciary breaches, including federal litigation involving an international consulting group that relocated to a competitor.
Brought federal action on behalf of a satellite television provider against a competitor, asserting violations of cable piracy statute. Obtained injunctive relief in the District Court and successfully defended that ruling before the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.
Defended corporate executive against claims brought by a large investment bank alleging inducement of a fiduciary breach.
Served as lead counsel representing bank in defense of lender liability claims regarding large commercial loan asserted by unsecured creditors in bankruptcy adversary proceeding.
Defended international consumer products company against state and federal claims that it had used a model’s image on packaging without authorization, handling matter through appeal.
Represented general partner in an injunctive and accounting action regarding the sale of partnership assets and dissolution of the partnership, serving as lead counsel during injunction trial and final trial on accounting.
Represented journalists, media companies, academics and public interest NGOs seeking public records through the federal and Illinois Freedom of Information Acts, including litigation in federal and state court challenging FOIA denials by government bodies.
Represented individual before the Illinois Supreme Court in her successful constitutional challenge to a prosecution brought under the Illinois Eavesdropping Statute.
Appointed by District Court to represent expelled union member pursuing claim against union for retaliation under the ADEA and LMRA. Obtained verdict after federal jury trial and defended verdict before the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.
Education
J.D., University of Michigan Law School, 1994
Graduated cum laude
B.A., DePaul University, Political Science, 1991
Graduated magna cum laude
Experience
Partner with this firm since 2003; Associate from 1998-2002
Lecturer in Law, University of Chicago Law School, 2016-present
Chair, Committee on Attorney Malpractice, Chicago Bar Association, 2013-2014
Law clerk to the Hon. Barbara B. Crabb, U.S. District Court, Western District of Wisconsin, 1996-1998
Associate in the Chicago office of Skadden, Arps, 1994-1996
Bar Admissions
Illinois, 1994
U. S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
U.S. District Courts for the Northern District of Illinois
U.S. District Court for the Central Districts of Illinois
