Eric Brandfonbrener
Eric advocates for clients in high-stakes litigation.
Eric Brandfonbrener represents clients in complex commercial litigation. He provides counsel in contract disputes, securities litigation, patent and trade secret cases, class actions, employment matters, partnership and fiduciary disputes, and trusts and estates matters. Eric supports clients in various industries, including technology, aerospace, and healthcare, and represents high-profile individuals involved in legal disputes.
Education & Credentials
Education
- University of Michigan Law School, J.D., 1986
- Harvard University, A.B., cum laude, 1983
Bar and Court Admissions
-
Illinois
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
Related Employment
- Grippo & Elden LLC, Chicago, IL, Associate, 1990-1993; Partner, 1993-2002
- Latham & Watkins LLP, Chicago, IL, Associate, 1987-1989
Clerkships
- Eric Brandfonbrener > Clerkships, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee
Professional Recognition
Selected by Super Lawyers Magazine as a "Super Lawyer", 2005, 2009, 2013, 2016 – 2024
*The Supreme Court of Illinois does not recognize certifications of specialties in the practice of law and no certificate, award or recognition is a requirement to practice law in Illinois.
Professional Experience
Litigation
City of Livonia Employees’ Retirement System v. The Boeing Company, et al.
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
Grant of motion for reconsideration, dismissing with prejudice a securities class action brought by a putative class of Boeing shareholders related to Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner. 2011 WL 824604 (N.D. Ill. 2011)
Turek v. General Mills Inc., et al.
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
Grant of motion to dismiss consumer class action involving alleged violations of state consumer fraud and unfair business practice statutes in marketing of a well-known fiber products. 2010 WL 3527553 (N.D. Ill. 2010)
Piechur v. Redbox Automated Retail, LLC
Circuit Court for the Twentieth Judicial District of Illinois, St. Clair County
Represented national company in consumer class action pending in St. Clair County Circuit Court in a case involving unjust enrichment and violation of consumer fraud statutes, among other theories.
Thomas Dart, Sheriff of Cook County, Illinois v. craigslist Inc.
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
Grant of motion for judgment on the pleadings in case where Sheriff had alleged that craigslist aided and abetted purported unlawful conduct of its website’s users. --- F.Supp.2d ---, 2009 WL 3416106.
Shipley, et al. v. First Health Group Corporation, et al.
Circuit Court for the Third Judicial District of Illinois, Madison County
Representing national managed healthcare company in series of class actions pending in Madison and St. Clair County Circuit Courts in cases brought by contracted providers involving breach of contract, unjust enrichment and violation of consumer fraud statutes, among other theories.
Wachovia Securities, LLC v. RBC Capital Markets Corporation, et al.
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority
Defending securities firm against actions by competitor. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Case No. 09-00524.
craigslist Inc. v. Henry McMaster, et al.
U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina
Action by craigslist to enjoin prosecution by the State of South Carolina, in violation of Constitutional and statutory law. Civil Action No. 2:09-cv-01308-CWH.
Chicago Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law Inc. v. craigslist Inc.
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
Affirmance of district court's decision holding craigslist immune under section 230 of the Communications Decency Act from liability for allegedly discriminatory housing ads posted on the craigslist website. 519 F.3d 666 (7th Cir. 2008).
Charles Schwab & Company Inc. v. Carter, et al.
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
Represented financial services firm in case involving misappropriation of trade secrets. Case No. 04 C 7071, 2005 WL 2369815 (N.D. Ill.); 2005 WL 351929 (N.D. Ill.)
Liesel Pritzker v. Thomas J. Pritzker, et al. and Mathew Pritzker v. Thomas Pritzker, et al.
Circuit Court of Illinois, Cook County
Represented members of Pritzker family and various Pritzker entities in case by other family members alleging in excess of $1 billion in damages. Case Nos: 02 CH 21426 and 03 CH 7531
Near North Insurance Brokerage Inc., et al. v. AON Corporation, et al.
Circuit Court of Illinois, Cook County
Represented executives throughout criminal investigation of former employer and in former employer's lawsuit against executives. Case No. 02 CH 01595
William Blair & Company, LLC v. Geneva Investment Management, LLC
Circuit Court of Illinois, Cook County
National Association of Securities Dealers
Defended founders of investment firm with more than $1 billion under management from claims by former firm. Case No. 03 CH 00983, NASD No. 03-00994
SXC Health Solutions Corporation Inc. v. First Health Group Corporation
Circuit Court of Illinois, DuPage County
Represented managed health care company, First Health, in connection with a case brought by a software vendor involving customized pharmacy benefits processing software.
AON Corporation, et al. v. Arthur J. Gallagher & Company
Circuit Court of Illinois, Cook County
Represented insurance brokerage in more than 100-person national raiding case. Case No. 01CH 16588
IDS Life Insurance Company v. Royal Alliance Assocs. Inc.*
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
Represented insurer and broker-dealer in more than 100-person raiding case. 266 F.3d 645 (7th Cir. 2001)
* Prior Experience
Patent Litigation
Intel Corporation v. Information Technology Innovation, LLC
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
Represented Intel in patent declaratory judgment action involving fabrication modeling software. Case settled favorably just before Markman hearing.
Preferred Engineering Products, Ltd. v. Genius Rollerscreen Systems, LLC, et al.
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
Defended manufacturer in patent infringement case. Case No. 06 C 4300
iWork Software, LLC v. Corporate Express Inc., et al.
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
Represented Boise Cascade in patent infringement case relating to enterprise software. Case No. 02 C 6355
Securities & Corporate Governance Litigation
Murphy v. CDW Corporation, et al.
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
Represented founder of company in series of securities class actions pending in federal and state courts.
Bryan v. Anderson, et al.
Circuit Court of Illinois, DuPage County
Defended OfficeMax Incorporated in shareholder derivative case. Case No. 05 CH 786
NWS Inc. v. Goose Island Beer Company
Circuit Court of Illinois, Cook County
Represented brewer in case by preferred shareholder. Case No. 05 CH 12328
In re Ventro Corporation Securities Litigation
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
Defended outside director in securities class action case. Case No. C-01-1287
* Prior Experience