Jeffrey S. Torosian is a business litigator and trial lawyer. He handles commercial disputes involving business transactions, with a concentration on private equity litigation, M&A disputes, and corporate governance issues. Jeff is the Chair of the Private Equity Litigation Subcommittee of the American Bar Association.
Jeff has a national reputation, having litigated and tried cases in over two dozen states across the country. He is also routinely involved in arbitration and mediation proceedings before several agencies.
Areas of Concentration
· Commercial litigation
· M&A litigation
· Private equity litigation
· Corporate governance and shareholder derivative claims
· Complex contracts
· Commercial fraud
· Bankruptcy litigation
· Business breakups, partnership disputes and shareholder remedies
· Trade secret litigation, unfair competition and business torts
· Real estate litigation
· International litigation and arbitration
· Appellate
Significant Representations
·
Corporate Governance Cases
- Trial of Breach of Fiduciary Duty Claims - Won trial against former fiduciary of trust for scheme to bilk trust assets.
- Injunction to Protect Incumbent Board - Obtained injunction protecting incumbent Board of Directors of large, privately held corporation, leading to favorable settlement of a proxy fight battle and related litigation.
·
Bankruptcy Trials
- Trial of $160 Million Bankruptcy Claim - Represented the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors in a nationally followed, three-week Trial on claims seeking money damages and the subordination and recharacterization of the Debtors' senior secured debt.
- Trial of Attempt to Appoint Bankruptcy Trustee - Represented the equity holder in a trial of attempt to appoint a bankruptcy trustee, resulting in a favorable settlement.
·
Shareholder Disputes
- Arbitration of Minority Shareholder Oppression Claims - Won a three-week arbitration on claims for minority shareholder oppression.
- Judgment on Business Breakup - Obtained judgment against a former shareholder and officer of a closely held corporation, terminating her ownership interests.
- Trial of "Fair Value" Buyout - Obtained favorable judgment in a trial of "fair value" valuation of telecommunications company.
·
Contract Claims
- $80 Million Breach of Contract - Defeated breach of contract and fraudulent inducement claims in arbitration for a major investment bank.
- $50 Million Breach of Contract - Obtained a valuable business settlement helping to save client's resort business.
- $10 Million Contract Claim - Obtained a large settlement after extensive litigation for unpaid royalties and misuse of intellectual property.
·
Commercial Fraud Claims
- Dismissal of Commercial Fraud Claim - Obtained dismissal of civil RICO claims and outstanding settlement of remaining claims.
- $25 Million International Currency Trading Fraud Claim - Unraveled defendants' fraudulent trading scheme, leading to settlement of claims.
·
M&A Disputes
- Judgment on Corporate Merger Dispute - Obtained partial summary judgment on claims for failed merger of cargo service companies, reducing client's exposure by over $5 million. Settled remaining claims on eve of trial for over $1 million less than client's initial settlement authority.
- Arbitration of Corporate Purchase Price Adjustment - Obtained a favorable award in a one-week arbitration of purchase price adjustment resulting from a sale of nursing home facility.
- Purchase Price Adjustment Arbitrations - Obtained extremely favorable settlements of numerous purchase price adjustment claims on behalf of private equity purchasers of businesses in several industries, including the laboratory service industry, health care services industry, and environmental services industry.
·
Real Estate Cases
- Trial of Claims for Control of Industrial Real Estate - Won trial and summary judgment (on remaining issues) for control of an industrial property worth $10 million.
- Trial of Claims Regarding Stormwater Drainage Easement - Won week-long trial regarding commercial property owner's development and use of a stormwater drainage facility.
- Judgment on Real Estate Purchase Option - Obtained judgment for specific performance of a real estate purchase option.
·
Trade Secret/Restrictive Covenant Cases
- Trial of Breach of Non-Solicitation Agreement - Won trial enforcing a client's non-solicitation agreement against senior executive who joined a competitor.
- $10 Million Trade Secret Dispute - Obtained favorable settlement after extensive litigation for a client accused of committing numerous business torts when it took over a competitor's regional office.
*Certain of the above representations were handled by Jeff prior to his joining Greenberg Traurig, LLP.
Professional & Community Involvement
· Member, U.S. Magistrate Judge Merit Selection Panel for the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
· Member, Hearing Board of the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission
· Member, Oversight Board of the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission
· Member, American Bar Association
- Chair, Private Equity Litigation Subcommittee
· Member, The City Club of Chicago
· University of Chicago
- Chair, Chicago Leadership Committee, 2005 - 2007
- Member, Chicago Cabinet, 2005 - 2007
· Adjunct Professor of Law, DePaul University College of Law, 1999 - 2001
Awards & Recognition
· Listed, Leading Lawyers Network (2009-2012)
· Listed, Super Lawyers magazine, Illinois Super Lawyers (2007-2012)
· Team Member, Law360 "Employment Practice Group of the Year" (2011)
· Listed, Chicago Lawyer Magazine and Law Bulletin Publishing Co., "40 Illinois Attorneys Under Forty to Watch," (July 2004)
Previous Employment
· Partner and Chair of the Litigation Practice Group, Michael Best & Friedrich LLP, Chicago
Articles, Publications, & Lectures
Articles
· Quoted, "Radnor Holdings Creditors Quiz CEO Over Borrowing," Daily Bankruptcy Review Small-Cap, November 6, 2006
· Quoted, "Firm Settles Harassment Suit - PepsiAmericas Agrees to $400,000 Payment,"Chicago Tribune, January 21, 2006
· Quoted, "Duff's Firm Loses McPier Pact Battle," Chicago Tribune, November 1, 2002
Lectures
· Speaker, "Examination of Valuation Experts at Trial," National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts
· Speaker, "Valuation of Business Losses in Unfair Competition Litigation," National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts