Jon R. Buck
- Deputy General Counsel; Litigation Lead, Chicago Office
Jon draws upon his range of litigation and regulatory enforcement experience to help clients craft strategies to achieve their goals.
Jon Buck is a trial lawyer who has been helping companies and individuals resolve complex disputes and regulatory matters for more than 20 years. In many matters, that means a negotiated resolution without extended litigation. In others, however, clients have relied upon Jon to successfully defend their interests all the way to judgment in trial or arbitration. At each turn, he tackles client challenges with a collaborative approach and practical judgment and advice.
Jon has represented clients across a range of industries, with a focus on technology, food, and finance, as well as other professional service companies. He regularly defends clients in professional negligence claims, trade secret and privacy litigation, product liability and toxic tort matters, corporate control and fiduciary disputes, and class actions.
Jon also has experience counseling and defending clients in inquiries by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the U.S. Department of Justice, and other regulators. He has handled civil and criminal compliance issues, including those involving cybersecurity, anticorruption and antitrust risks; corporate governance; insider trading; whistleblowers; and internal investigations.
As a deputy general counsel for Perkins Coie, Jon advises firm lawyers on professional responsibility issues, supports the firm's general counsel in advising on legal matters, and works on claims against the firm.
Education & Credentials
Education
- University of Michigan Law School, J.D., magna cum laude, Order of the Coif, Associate Editor, Journal of Law Reform, 2002
- University of Puget Sound, B.A., cum laude, 1997
Bar and Court Admissions
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Illinois
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
Related Employment
- Perkins Coie LLP, Seattle, WA, Summer Associate, 2001
- Miller Nash, LLP, Portland, OR, Summer Associate, 2000
Professional Recognition
Award for Excellence in Pro Bono Service, from the Judges of the Northern District of Illinois and the Chicago Chapter of the Federal Bar Association
Listed as an Illinois Rising Star as published by Law & Politics, 2009-2015
*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.
Insights
Professional Experience
Litigation and Arbitrations
- Obtained complete defense jury verdict for supplier of food ingredients at the conclusion of two-week federal jury trial in a case involving implied warranty claims brought by a customer seeking $20 million in damages.
- Lead lawyer representing majority shareholder in closely held biotechnology company in litigation arising out of disputed ownership and control of operating entity.
- Managed defense of global food development company in more than 800 toxic tort lawsuits arising out of ethylene oxide emissions from a former sterilization subsidiary. Trial counsel in first two bellwether trials, the results of which led to a global settlement.
- Principal lawyer for chemical testing business in arbitration arising out of acquisition in which sellers materially breached representations and warranties in asset purchase agreement.
- Designed and pursued successful declaratory judgment proceedings challenging reimbursement rates for state’s largest not-for-profit substance abuse disorder service provider.
- Managed and coordinated defense of national law firm in more than thirty professional malpractice actions arising out of firm’s role in illegal tax shelters.
- Secured summary judgment on behalf of general aviation parts manufacture in multiple wrongful death claims arising out of crash of aircraft and obtained favorable ruling affirming judgment on appeal to Wisconsin Court of Appeals.
- Represented legal mutual reserve company in litigation against third-party administrator of a major medical insurance program and reinsurer in dispute arising out of complex claims of violations of contractual and fiduciary obligations between the parties. The case was resolved on favorable settlement terms after extensive litigation.
- Successfully obtained forum non convenience dismissal of all U.S. litigation on behalf of aircraft manufacturer in multidistrict litigation arising out of the crash of Helios Airways Flight NCY522 near Athens, Greece.
- Obtained defense verdict for franchisor in jury trial on franchisee's claims of racial discrimination.
- Represented city of Chicago in personal injury litigation arising out of high-rise fire in Chicago Loop.
- Obtained multimillion-dollar arbitration award for real estate developer in international arbitration.
- Represented financial services firm in case involving misappropriation of trade secrets.
- Represented plaintiff in unfair competition claim relating to Coca-Cola’s advertising of PowerAde Option against PepsiCo’s Gatorade brand. After filing the complaint and motion for preliminary injunction, Coca-Cola withdrew the offending TV spots, and the case settled.
Investigations and White-Collar Defense
- Lead counsel to monitor for multinational medical device company, appointed to oversee compliance reforms following a deferred prosecution agreement with U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
- Secured dismissal of SEC insider trading claim in SEC v. Garcia, et al. on summary judgment where the SEC alleged defendant traded on inside information ahead of BHP Billiton’s attempted corporate takeover of Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan, Inc. The judge ordered release of frozen assets and lifted injunction previously obtained by the SEC.
- Served as lead counsel to examiner in Chapter 11 bankruptcy appointed to investigate and report on alleged financial fraud.
- Represented CFO of public company in SEC investigation into internal controls, revenue recognition, and software capitalization issues.
- Defended officers and directors of public companies in shareholder derivative actions arising out of alleged misrepresentations to shareholders and failure of internal controls.
- Served as counsel to multiple audit committees in connection with investigations into alleged reporting issues.
- Represented bankruptcy trustee in connection with investigation into $100 million investment fraud.
- Represented and counseled individuals and corporations in criminal matters involving allegations of mail/wire fraud and potential violations of various state and federal regulations.