Most interesting project:
My most interesting project this summer was researching, outlining and composing a motion to dismiss a consumer products case. This case was brought against our client as a possible class action for allegedly violating a New York state consumer protection statute, breach of contract and unjust enrichment. The project was great because I was able to participate in the entire process surrounding the motion to dismiss, and see how my research was implemented. Additionally, Rob Deegan gave me a lot of control and really allowed me to integrate my ideas into the project. I researched the pleading requirements for each cause of action alleged by the plaintiff and evaluated the pleadings, noting their faults and inadequacies. I also looked into standing requirements for class action suits and the amount in controversy requirements under CAFA for Federal jurisdiction. I wrote a memorandum detailing this research and then composed an outline for a motion to dismiss based on my research. Finally, I wrote a draft motion to dismiss for review which will hopefully lead to the dismissal of the claims against our clients in this action.

Erin Brechtelsbauer

Most interesting project:
One of my most rewarding assignments this summer involved researching fiduciary duties of shareholders in close corporations in Illinois. I worked on this matter with Adam Calisoff. It was a rare moment where the statute [I found through my research] said exactly what we needed it to and allowed us to accomplish even more for the clients than they initially expected.

Favorite extracurricular activity:

Bill Andrichik

Most interesting project:
My most interesting assignment this summer was a trademark project I did for Julie Matthews. The search turned up a wealth of pending applications for marks that employed some portion or version of our client's mark. Julie flagged several potentially troubling search results and my job was to run down those leads. Basically, I sifted through Google results, looking for current uses of the flagged marks. Then, I separated serious threats from trivial or non-infringing uses and reported back to Julie. It was undoubtedly the closest I’ll ever come to actual detective work. I bought a fedora, a double-breasted trench coat, and a carton of Lucky Strikes just for the occasion.

Favorite extracurricular activity:

Ben Stein

Most interesting project:
This summer, I had the opportunity to work on a number of projects that gave me a very real sense of what it is like to be a corporate and governmental affairs associate. I spent much of my summer working on a client’s successful acquisition of a company and its subsidiaries with David Fischer, Chris Douglass and Jason Logue. My role included conducting due diligence, drafting documents, and preparing the documents for closing. This deal saw numerous difficulties and delays as a result of negotiations and priorities of the other parties, and as a result, I was able to see firsthand the trials and tribulations of a corporate attorney. I also had the opportunity to draft the bylaws for a non-profit corporation and revise an international distributor agreement.

Favorite extracurricular activity:

Mike Wilson

Most interesting project:
I wrote a memo for a litigation matter providing a reasoned prediction of whether the Fourth Circuit would follow the Ninth Circuit's reasoning with regard to the timing of a statute of limitations contained in the Fair Housing Act. I worked with Craig White, Beth Fancsali, and Leah McGowan. I enjoyed the work immensely because it required me to investigate the Fourth Circuit's construction of limitations statutes, and then construct my own argument in light of the precedent.

Jeff Stevenson