Liza Laughlin handles complex commercial litigation matters for sophisticated clients across the country. She partners with her clients to help them navigate and resolve their most sensitive business disputes.
Liza routinely represents clients in state and federal courts. Focusing her practice on high-stakes commercial disputes, Liza routinely handles matters involving business torts, commercial contracts, private equity disputes, insurance coverage matters, and breach of fiduciary duty claims. With many of her clients in the private equity sector, Liza often assists private equity firms and/or their portfolio companies in pursuing or defending against claims that arise in the course of their businesses.
Earlier in her career, Liza was a member of the Trial Group at McDermott Will & Emery, LLP. She also taught law school courses in trial advocacy and coached mock trial teams to national championships.
Representative Matters
Secured a unanimous jury verdict on behalf of a commercial real estate developer client after pursuing contractual and tortious interference claims on the client’s behalf following the real estate owner’s breach of an option contract. All defendants settled with the client after the jury returned a verdict on liability in the client’s favor.
Successfully defended a retail chain with pharmacy operations against a public nuisance claim in a high-profile bellwether suit that was part of the multidistrict opioids litigation. Following extensive written discovery and depositions of key witnesses, the case resolved on terms highly favorable to the client.
Successfully pursued claims on behalf of a portfolio company in an action against sellers for breach of a stock purchase agreement and against underwriters for breach of a corresponding representations and warranty insurance policy. The strategic selection of the damages expert contributed to all defendants settling with the client prior to the exchange of expert reports.
Obtained a complete dismissal of a suit alleging defamation per se and conspiracy against political candidates and party members. Dismissal was achieved at the pleading stage based on arguments that highlighted incurable defects in the opponent’s legal theories.
Successfully defended corporate and individual clients in a business licensing dispute asserting multiple breaches of license and lease agreements, tortious interference with contract, fraudulent transfer, common law fraud, and unjust enrichment. Obtained dismissal of multiple counts at the pleading stage, and the case settled shortly thereafter on terms favorable to the clients.
Represented opt-out plaintiffs in a high-profile action involving state tort and federal securities claims against international financial institutions, and secured settlement after defeating the defendants’ motions for summary judgment.
Following a bench trial, secured a multimillion-dollar verdict on behalf of a meat manufacturer client against a national processed meats brand for breach of license agreement, injunctive relief, and declaratory judgment.
Successfully defended an agricultural products manufacturer in a multimillion-dollar class action suit against cities, villages, and water companies that sued after trace amounts of the manufacturer’s product were detected in the surface water.
Newsroom
Publications
Co-author, “Complex and Multidistrict Actions,” Class Actions (IICLE).
Education
J.D., Chicago-Kent College of Law, with honors, 2008
- Chicago-Kent Law Review
- Recipient, Hon. Warren Wolfson Trial Advocacy Award
- Chicago-Kent Trial Team (National Champions)
B.A., Augustana College, summa cum laude, Philosophy, Mathematics,
and Spanish, 2005
- Phi Beta Kappa
- Pi Mu Epsilon
- Mathematics Honors Society
- LOGOS Honors Program
Bar Admissions
- Illinois
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
