Michael (Mike) Lehrman

Mike has particular experience representing private equity firms in post-acquisition disputes of all kinds, with a focus on claims of breach of fiduciary duties, fraudulent transfer, and/or breach of contract. He has successfully tried several such cases and has examined witnesses at trial, prepared opening/closing arguments, and pre/post trial motions. As a first chair, Mike has argued numerous dispositive motions, led matters through discovery, including preparing the overall case strategy and taking/defending numerous depositions for large complex commercial disputes. Mike is a strategic partner to his clients, helping them tackle complex and sophisticated legal disputes, including a series of interrelated matters for a corporation that went public via SPAC transaction.

• Examined witnesses at trial and obtained USD 25 million judgment in the first post Covid virtual civil trial in the Supreme Court of New York.
• Obtained full dismissal of a bankruptcy trustee’s claims in a precedent setting opinion from the US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit concerning two questions of first impression regarding the applicability and preclusive effect of the safe harbor provision found in Section 546(e) of Chapter 11 of the US Bankruptcy code.
• In an opinion affirmed by the Delaware Supreme Court, obtained dismissal from the Delaware Court of Chancery of former executive’s claims for indemnification and advancement from a Delaware Corporation after the executive signed a broad release of claims.
• Obtained a full defense judgment in the Circuit Court of Cook County defending a private equity firm against plaintiff's breach of contract and piercing the corporate veil claims.
• Represented corporation which went public via SPAC transaction in a series of related shareholder, breach of contract, and breach of fiduciary duty suits in the Delaware Court of Chancery, among other courts.
• Obtained favorable settlement on the eve of trial for large private equity firm client in fraudulent conveyance action seeking over USD 100 million.
• Obtained dismissal of a complaint alleging breach of contract and breach of warranty in a matter proceeding in the Northern District of Illinois.
• Argued in the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals the appeal of a client's conviction on drug and gun charges as a member of an educational institution's legal clinic.
• Obtained dismissal of client's eviction action brought by a housing authority in Illinois.
• Obtained a favorable settlement on the eve of trial for client suing the Chicago Police Department for excessive use of force.

 

Education and Honors

Prior to joining the Firm, Mike was an associate editor for the Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology, member of the Bartlit National Trial Team and president of the Student Bar Association at Northwestern University School of Law. While in law school, he was an intern at the United States Attorney's office for the Northern District of Illinois. Upon graduation, he received the Northwestern University School of Law leadership award. Prior to law school, he spent four years engaging in political and legislative advocacy while working at the National Association of Realtors in Washington, DC.

• American Bar Association - Member
• Chicago Bar Association - Member
• Chicago Bar Foundation Board of Directors - Member