Dunn Law Firm excels in representing corporations, general and limited partnerships, limited liability companies, other entities, and individuals in commercial and civil litigation. We have a broad range of experience handling contract, trade secret, intellectual property and business-tort litigation. Clients turn to the firm when a deal or a partnership has soured, when complex arrangements have been disrupted, when intellectual property assets or corporate secrets have been misappropriated, or when their interests are otherwise in jeopardy. Stakeholders in privately held corporations, and general and limited partnerships, also engage us for representation in internal disputes over control, valuation, fiduciary duties, and distribution of assets. Our long-term clients value the firm’s aggressive, personal, and exacting approach to litigation matters.
Commercial Litigation Practice
The firm has a great deal of experience litigating matters requiring extraordinary relief such as temporary restraining orders and preliminary injunctions. It has successfully obtained temporary restraining orders for cases involving misappropriation of trade secrets and corporate espionage, violations of non-compete agreements, and breaches of business contracts drafted by our firm.
Examples from our Commercial Litigation Practice
Reversal of the lower court’s ruling denying attorney’s fees in lawsuit where copyright owner brought action against competitor alleging infringement of its source code in video game. The case was dismissed against our client, the District Court initially denied attorney’s fees, and The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals awarded attorney’s fees to our client for both the District Court proceedings and for pursuing the appeal. Riviera Distributors, Inc. v. Jones, 517 F.3d 926 (7th Cir. Feb. 20, 2008).Successfully recovered client’s costs of a lawsuit where copyright owner brought action against competitor alleging infringement of its source code in video game. Riviera Distributors, Inc. v. Jones, Not Reported in F.Supp.2d, 2006 WL 5412191 (C.D. Ill. Aug. 25, 2006).
Successfully argued for dismissal, with prejudice, of a lawsuit regarding intellectual property right infringement. Riviera Distributors, Inc. v. Jones, Not Reported in F.Supp.2d, 2006 WL 694775 (C.D. Ill. Mar. 14, 2006).
Successfully argued for dismissal, with prejudice, of a lawsuit relating to alleged breaches of contracts. Bloomington Partners, LLC v. City of Bloomington, 2006 WL 2938698, (C.D. Ill. 2006).
Successfully argued for reversal of lower court’s transfer of lawsuit to Colorado involving breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, conversion, and fraudulent inducement stemming from companies alleged default on agreement to purchase Illinois company. Community Merchant Services, Inc, v. Jonas, 354 Ill.App.3d 1077 (4th Dist. 2004).
Successfully argued for dismissal, with prejudice, of subcontractor’s breach of contract claims due to improper venue. Tel-Nik, Inc., v. Compath, Inc., 2003 WL 1394613 (N.D. Ill. 2003).
Successfully sought dismissal, with prejudice, of home purchasers’ lawsuit against home vendors, alleging non-compliance with Residential Real Property Disclosure Act and fraud, and successfully argued for sanctions against the home purchasers. Penn v. Gerig, 334 Ill. App. 3d 345 (4th Dist. 2002).
Civil Litigation Practice
Dunn Law Firm is regarded as one of the preeminent litigation firms in Central Illinois, and general civil litigation is one of the firm’s primary practice areas. The firm has handled a wide range of litigation matters for both individuals and institutions. The firm has been involved with the most complex cases facing businesses across the industry spectrum with a particular emphasis on two things: first, rapid response when clients must obtain or resist emergency relief; and second, preparing cases for actual trial in the courtroom.
Examples from our General Civil Litigation Practice
Successfully argued against a motion to transfer a case to Massachusetts brought by a multimillion dollar information technology company to Massachusetts. Goel v. Patni Computer Systems, Inc., 2007 WL 1431873 (C.D. Ill. May 11, 2007); Goel v. Patni Computer Systems, Inc., Not Reported in F.Supp.2d, 2007 WL 1725287 (C.D. Ill. June 13, 2007).
Favorable appellate opinion overruling the Illinois Human Rights Commission which found that the client engaged in racial discrimination against white non-applicant when job intake form for music teacher position indicated that being a minority was requirement for position. Board of Educ. Of City of Chicago v. Cady, 369 Ill.App.3d 486 (1st Dist. 2006).
Successfully argued for dismissal, with prejudice, of an employee’s lawsuit claiming wrongful termination. Smith v. Frichtl Steel and Welding, 2005 WL 1267203 (S.D. Ill. 2005).
Successfully defended university faculty members against a terminated medical resident alleging violations of her due process rights, § 1981, and Title VII. Ghosh v. Getto, 146 F.3d 840, 203 Ed. Law Rep. 112 (7th Cir. 2005).
Successfully sought dismissal of university student’s lawsuit after student was found guilty by a student judicial board of violations of disciplinary code and was placed on disciplinary suspension. Furnace v. Board of Trustees of Southern IllinoisUniversity, 218 F.3d 666 (7th Cir. 2000).
Successfully argued for reversal of the lower court’s ruling regarding employee’s Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) claims against a State university. Erickson v. Board of Governors of State Colleges and Universities for Northeastern Illinois University, 207 F.3d 945, 10 A.D. Cases 575 (7th Cir. 2000).