Mr. Staunton represents clients in a wide range of commercial litigation, including health care disputes and disputes relating to partnership and corporate governance, real estate, and general commercial law. He frequently represents defendants against claims of legal malpractice. He also has experience representing clients on issues relating to bankruptcy, securities law, trademark, restrictive covenants, and employment discrimination. He has played a leadership role in the Seventh Circuit’s Electronic Discovery Pilot Program Committee and its efforts to improve the practice of e-discovery in the federal courts. He has tried cases, and argued appeals, in state and federal court. He has extensive arbitration experience, including arbitrations before the AAA, the NYSE, FINRA, and the AHLA.
Selected Engagements
Defending Case Foods, Inc. in multiple antitrust class actions and scores of direct actions alleging that U.S. chicken producers conspired to restrict supply and increase pricing.
Represented a national pharmacy benefits manager in a complex dispute over termination of a service agreement and compliance with certain performance guarantees. The matter resulted in five separate hearings, including a preliminary injunction hearing in federal court, two emergency arbitration hearings, and two full arbitration hearings.
Represented a hospital system in defense of a class-action antitrust claim. Among other things, managed the e-discovery and contract attorney process.
Served as counsel for several Am Law 100 firms in defense of legal malpractice claims, including claims relating to corporate, real estate and investment transactions, and patent and real estate litigation. A number of novel legal issues have been raised in these representations, including one in which the firm obtained a seminal decision from the Illinois Supreme Court holding that malpractice plaintiffs cannot recover “lost punitive damages” from their former attorneys.
Served as counsel for a national pharmacy benefits manager in connection with certain audit-related claims brought by a regional self-insured fund.
Acted as counsel for an individual customer in a FINRA claim brought against an international brokerage firm.
Represented individuals and brokerage firms in connection with securities fraud claims filed in federal court and arbitration.
Acted as local counsel for an international company defending against federal trademark claims.
Represented employers and employees in litigation involving discrimination, trade secret claims and non-competition clauses.
Served as counsel for defendants in federal jury trials on charges of bank robbery and public corruption.
