Gabriel Aizenberg is a commercial litigator representing corporate and individual plaintiffs and defendants in complex proceedings in federal, bankruptcy and state courts and arbitration forums. His practice encompasses a variety of litigation areas, including fraud, contractual disputes, business torts, breach of fiduciary duty, claims of trade secret misappropriation and government contracts.
Gabriel has significant experience in asset-recovery litigation. He has successfully represented clients in veil piercing litigation, litigation overcoming the asset-protection features of both foreign and domestic trusts, asset turnover and tracing proceedings, and proceedings to freeze assets both here and abroad.
Gabriel also advises clients on issues relating to the award and performance of local government contracts, responses to competitive bid requests and requests for proposals, terms of contracts, and compliance with minority- and women-owned business requirements.
Gabriel is committed to pro bono work and service in the community. He is outside general counsel for litigation matters for a local private school; and an officer of the Holocaust Educational Foundation, a private, non-profit organization established in 1980 by survivors, their children and friends to preserve and promote awareness of the reality of the Holocaust. He also has represented several federal prisoners in civil rights cases in district courts and the court of appeals.
Areas of Concentration
· Commercial litigation
· Asset recovery litigation
· Bankruptcy litigation
· Government contracts
Significant Representations
· Representation of a French municipal finance bank in post-judgment proceedings to execute upon judgment. Trial in U.S. District Court resulted in judgments ordering the turnover of assets in Belizean trusts and Florida trusts. Obtained summary judgment terminating interests of beneficiaries in Bahamian trust and Florida trust. Dexia Crédit Local v. Rogan
· Representation of a French municipal finance bank in U.S. District Court in a fraud and breach of contract action against a former CEO of a borrower. Obtained judgment in excess of $124 million, of which more than $53 million was granted in punitive damages. Dexia Crédit Local v. Rogan
· Representation of a Chicago hospital against a former management company on charges of breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty. U.S. Bankruptcy Court awarded more than $37 million. Edgewater Medical Center v. Bainbridge Management, LP
· Representation of a Chicago hospital in litigation in which the property management company was charged with breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty. U.S. Bankruptcy Court awarded more than $4 million and permitted the client to retroactively exercise an option that expired nine years prior. Edgewater Medical Center v. Edgewater Property Co.
· Defense of a hospital in a qui tam false claims case in U.S. District Court. Successfully obtained dismissal with prejudice of the case seeking damages exceeding $15 million. U.S. ex rel. Bannon v. Edgewater Medical Center Brought RICO/fraud case in U.S. District Court alleging covert misrouting of the defendant's most expensive telephone traffic onto client's network. AT&T v. MCI Worldcom
· Brought an injunction and declaratory judgment action against a county, challenging an award of a $5 million medical equipment contract. Secured injunction and declaratory judgment awarding the contract to client. GE Medical Systems Information Technologies, Inc. v. County of Cook
· Brought an injunction action against a county, challenging an award of a $49 million radiology equipment contract for a new hospital. Secured injunction blocking performance of the contract. General Electric v. County of Cook
*Certain of the above representations were handled by Gabriel prior to his joining Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Professional & Community Involvement
· Board of Directors, Northern District of Illinois Federal Bar Association
· Officer, Holocaust Educational Foundation
Awards & Recognition
· Selected by Super Lawyers magazine, 2010 - 2012
· Selected by Leading Lawyers Network, 2011 - 2012
Clerkship
· Law Clerk, Hon. D. Brook Bartlett, United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri (1996-1997)