
Practice Description
Mr. Sullivan tries cases. His practice is divided almost equally
between representation of plaintiffs and defendants. He is a trial lawyer
whose trial practice has touched upon many different substantive areas of
the law. He has represented defendants in civil and criminal securities and
antitrust cases. Mr. Sullivan has served as plaintiff’s counsel in civil
RICO cases. Mr. Sullivan has also served as defendant’s counsel in civil
and criminal RICO cases. Mr. Sullivan, as plaintiff’s or defendant’s
counsel, litigated more than 100 contested hearings involving temporary restraining
orders and preliminary injunctions. Mr. Sullivan has served as plaintiff’s
counsel in dozens of civil rights actions, including class actions. Mr. Sullivan
has successfully prosecuted dozens of civil fraud cases. Mr. Sullivan represents
corporations and individuals. Mr. Sullivan is a trial lawyer in both the federal
and state court systems; he tries jury and bench trials.
Notable Cases and Results
PolyBrite International vs. Paul Brenner, et al.
Case No. 08 C 7917 (N.D, IL) Represented PolyBrite in a lawsuite against three
former employees, including its chief operating officer. The action arose
out of allegations that the employees schemed to steal the company's technical
expertise and confidential information to compete against it. Two of the defendants
formed a corporation in Hong Kong to sell a competing line of products. An
ex parte TRO and preliminary injunctive relief were granted against
all three defendants. Ultimately, seven figure judgements were granted as
to two of the defendants. Final injunctive relief was granted to all three
defendants.
DeLafont v. Beckelman
Case No. 02 C 5448 (N.D. IL) Jury trial in October-November, 2005. Represented
two state officers who were defendants in a civil rights action. Defendants
were sued for in excess of one million dollars for allegedly manufacturing
evidence, and other wrongful conduct, in relation to an investigation of
child molestation. After a two week jury trial, verdict returned for defendants
and against all five plaintiffs.
Securities and Exchange Commission v. Dean L. Buntrock, et al.
Case No. 02 C 2180 (N.D. IL) Represented former senior vice-president and
secretary of Waste Management in SEC enforcement action in which client
was alleged to have violated or aided and abetted violation of Section
13(a) of Securities Act of 1933, Sections 10(b) and 13(a) of Securities
Act of 1934 and Exchange Act rules 10b-5. SEC alleged systematic scheme
to misrepresent Waste Management’s financial results by overstating
profits by $1.7 billion.
Travelers Indemnity Company of Illinois v. Bruce Farmer d/b/a Hills Custom
Roofing, et al.
No. 03 C 4708 (N.D. IL) Represented insurance company in action against corporate
defendant and its owner on theories of breach of contract and fraud. In April,
2005, a jury returned a verdict against company and its owner, awarding plaintiff
$835,856. In addition, jury awarded plaintiff a $250,000 award of punitive
damages against the company’s owner, James Farmer.
Travelers Indemnity Company of Illinois v. Midland Logistics
No. 00 C 2202 (N.D. IL) Represented plaintiff in breach of contract case
alleging defendants failed to pay insurance premiums. Case tried before
a jury in June, 2004. Verdict returned in favor of plaintiff in amount
of $417,491.
Mattenson v. Baxter Healthcare Corporation
Case No. 02 C 3283 (N.D. IL) Tried two week jury trial (November, 2003) representing
a discharged patent attorney who sued on a theory of age discrimination.
Jury verdict in favor of client. Judgment in excess of $1,000,000 for back
pay; this was the largest back pay award for age discrimination case in
history of court. Jury found that Baxter’s actions were “wilful,” resulting
in doubling of jury verdict.
United States v. Bailin
Case No. 05 CR 48 (S.D. N.Y.) Criminal insider trading, false audit confirmations;
SEC v. Bailin, Case No. 05 CV 286 (S.D. N.Y.) Parallel SEC civil enforcement
action.
Prime Leasing, Inc. v. Equipment Leasing Specialists, Inc., et al.
Case No. 97 C 3886 (N.D. IL) Represented lender against borrowers who owned
and operated medical imaging centers throughout the United States. Sued
companies and principals on various theories ranging from breach of contract,
conspiracy and fraud. Obtained recovery of $8.3 million.
Dupuy v. Samuels
Case No. 97 C 4199 (N.D. IL) Appointed to serve as special assistant attorney
general and lead trial counsel representing Director of the Illinois Department
of Children and Family Services in a class action that challenges the constitutionality
of the state’s investigation and adjudicative process as it relates
to investigations of child abuse and neglect.
Author of the following statutes:
•
Travel Promotion Consumer Protection Act, 720 ILCS 350/1
• Illinois
Burial Rights Act, 820 ILCS 135/1
• Aggravated
Stalking Law, 720 ILCS 5/12-7.4
Bar Admissions
Illinois Bar
United States Supreme Court
United States Courts of Appeals for the Fifth, Seventh and Eleventh Circuits
General Bar and Trial Bar of the United States District Court for the Northern
District
....of Illinois
United States Tax Court
Year of Birth
1949
Law School
IIT/Chicago-Kent College of Law
Law School Honors/Involvement
J.D. with Honors, 1978
Undergraduate School
Northern Illinois University, B.S.
Employment History
Office of the Illinois Attorney General
• Trial
Attorney, Special Litigation Division
• Chief,
General Law Division
• Chief,
Consumer Protection Division
• Chief,
Toxic Waste Strike Force
Bar/Professional Association Involvement
Illinois Bar Association
Chicago Bar Association
American Bar Association
Federal Bar Association (Member, Board of Directors)
Other Affiliations
Marquette Bank, Chicago, Illinois
Director, 1994 to present
Member, Trust Committee, (Chair 2004-2009)
Asset/Liability Committee (Chair)
Marquette Bank Foundation, Director, 2004 to present
Marquette National Corporation, Board of Directors, 2008 to present
Member, Audit Committee
