Chad A. Schiefelbein

Chad Schiefelbein is a determined and measured business litigator and trial lawyer who appears in U.S. federal and state courts at both the trial and appellate levels.

With nearly three decades of experience and having served on both the prosecution and defense sides of claims, he offers a unique perspective and insight to his clients’ matters.

Recognized as a problem solver, Chad combines well-honed critical thinking skills with longstanding experience to resolve complex litigation. His ability to see the big picture and understand clients’ legal problems within the context of their business goals enables him to help clients avoid litigation or reduce the risks when it can’t be avoided.

Dedicated to removing obstacles and finding solutions that fit his clients’ needs, Chad has argued appeals in the Third, Sixth, Seventh and Ninth Circuit Courts of Appeals, as well as the Illinois Appellate Court. He has also successfully opposed a petition for certiorari to the U.S. Supreme Court, and prosecuted and defended numerous temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions and evidentiary hearings. He also represents clients in private negotiations, mediations and arbitrations.

When not representing clients in his active practice, Chad provides his services pro bono to those in need. Since 2012, he has also co-authored a chapter in the 22nd edition of Business and Commercial Litigation, published by the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (IICLE). Now in its fourth edition, this chapter updates and incorporates case law interpreting the rules of civil procedure for pleadings and motions.

Experience

• Obtained the dismissal, with prejudice, of a former unit holder’s claims for breach of fiduciary duty and fraud against a client investment company. Damages requested were over $30 million. On a counterclaim for indemnity, the client was awarded over $300,000 of attorneys’ fees and costs. Judgments were affirmed on appeal.
• Won a dismissal of five counts in a six-count complaint arising out of the conversion of an Airbus A-320 aircraft from a passenger to cargo airframe. The matter was favorably resolved shortly after the dismissal order.
• Obtained summary judgment (plaintiff's side) on claims for breach of contract under a commercial real estate lease amendment. Judgment affirmed on appeal, plus statutory post-judgment interest, and attorneys’ fees and costs on appeal.
• Won the voluntary dismissal of a $1 million claim of fraud against former bank directors/officers upon obtaining a declaratory judgment against the plaintiff on a director/officer indemnity claim for current and future defense costs, including attorneys’ fees. All claims were dropped and attorneys' fees and expenses were recovered.
• Dismissed putative statewide class action (Illinois) on behalf of a waste management company alleging violation of the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act and other common law claims.
• Facilitated the dismissal, with prejudice, of a federal court complaint alleging breach of contract and over $4 million in damages against a multinational information technology consulting company. Judgment affirmed on appeal by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.