Christopher T. Sheean

Christopher Sheean is a partner in the Litigation Department of Wildman Harrold. Christopher represents national and international corporations in various types of commercial, intellectual property, and toxic tort litigation matters throughout the United States. His intellectual property practice involves issues of trademark and trade secret misappropriation, copyright infringement, unfair competition, and advertising injury claims. He also handles a broad spectrum of general corporate disputes including complex breach of contract claims and multidistrict consumer class actions. As lead trial lawyer in many cases, Christopher has successfully litigated often complex and cutting-edge commercial and intellectual property claims in both federal and state courts. In addition, Christopher represents companies and government agencies in various aspects in bankruptcy proceedings including the defense of preference claims, the pursuit of claims against the estate, and the purchase of assets from the estate. His business-oriented approach to all litigation frequently results in both a favorable and a cost-effective outcome for the client. Christopher is AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell.

Representative Experience:

As lead trial counsel, obtained a defense verdict following an eight day bench trial in March 2008, defeating claims of trade secret misappropriation on behalf of a software developer in the warehouse control systems industry. Verotix Systems, Inc. v. Follett Library Resources, et al., Will Co., Ill. 2008
As lead trial counsel, defended international manufacturer of industrial water tube boilers against complex claims including trademark infringement and trade secret misappropriation. The case was amicably resolved after eight days of a jury trial in May 2007, Indeck Keystone Energy LLC v. Victory Energy Operations LLC, W.D. Pa. 2004
As lead trial counsel, successfully represented a prestigious shopping center in an action enforcing the terms of a lease against an international retailer. Following a trial on the merits, the court entered a permanent injunction and awarded the client its fees and costs, 900 N. Michigan Ave. LLC v. L’Occitane, Inc., Cook Co., IL 2006
Successfully represented a long distance telephone provider in a high profile, consumer class action where consumers alleged that provider had defrauded them by offering one rate but charging another. The case was removed to federal court, which then granted summary judgment on all claims. The ruling was affirmed by the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. Dreamscape Productions v. Affinity Networks, Inc, C.D. Ill. 2004
Over the past ten years, successfully represented Honeywell, Praxair, Allied Signal, Union Carbide, and others in defense of products liability and conspiracy claims against manufacturers of chemical sterilant, Ethylene Oxide; all claims were either denied in summary judgment or resolved on favorable terms to the defendants
Represents formulators and treaters of chromated copper arsenate treated wood in product liability litigation throughout the country

Intellectual Property Litigation

As lead attorney, represented national retailer in prosecuting claims of copyright infringement; case resolved on favorable terms with a consent decree for the client, American Blind and Wallpaper Factory, Inc. v. Wallpaper Wholesaler, Inc., E.D. Mich. 2002
Successfully represented publisher of children’s books in action for trademark infringement against a toy manufacturer that is the maker of LeapPads; case resolved on favorable terms, Publications Intl., Inc. v. Knowledge Kids Enterprises, Inc., et al., N.D. Ill. 2002
Successfully represented trademark holder in action against publisher of phone book and escort service for trademark and copyright infringement; case resolved favorably on an expedited track, Playboy Enterprises, Inc. and Jenny McCarthy v. R.H. Donnelly, et al.

Commercial Litigation

Successfully represented several long distance telephone providers and billing companies in consumer class actions in Illinois; all cases resulted in favorable outcomes, either in dismissal or summary judgment
Successfully represented securities broker/dealer in consumer class action in Illinois and obtained dismissal of all claims
Successfully represented plaintiff in tortious interference and trade secret misappropriation case against former employee; case resolved favorably during trial, Victory Energy Operations LLC v. Graves, N.D. OK 2004

Reported Decisions:

Dreamscape Design, Inc. v. Affinity Network, Inc., 414 F.3d 665 (7th Cir. 2005); cert denied
Extra Equipamentos E Exportacao Ltda. v. Case Corp., 361 F.3d 359 (N.D. Ill., 2005)
Pension Benefit Guar. Corp. v. United Air Lines, Inc., 436 F. Supp. 2d 909 (N.D. Ill. 2005)
Multiple Opportunities Portfolio, L.P. v. Brakulis, Case No. 03 C 3289, 2004 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 11968 (N.D. Ill., June 28, 2004)
Perkins v. Origin Medsystems Inc., 299 F. Supp. 2d 45 (D. Ct. 2004)
Circle Group Internet v. Fleishman-Hillard, Inc., 231 F. Supp. 2d 801 (N.D. Ill. 2002)
Northwestern Pub. Serv. v. Union Carbide Corp., 236 F. Supp. 2d 966 (D.S.D. 2002)
Valinote v. Ballis, 295 F.3d 660 (7th Cir. 2001)
State Bank of India v. Commercial Steel Corp., 2001 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 5567 (N.D. Ill)
Ashland Prods., Inc. v. MEC Techs., Inc., 1999 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 4088 (N.D. Ill., March 22, 1999)
Funeral Financial. Services., Ltd. v. NOS Communications., Inc., 17 F. Supp. 2d 781, (N.D. Ill. 1999)

Publications And Presentations:

Author, “Misappropriation of Non-Trade Secret Information Actions,” DRI's For The Defense, October, 2008.
Author, “Illinois Trade Secrets Law,” Compendium on Trade Secrets and Non-Compete Clauses, DRI Publications, October 2008.
Author, “Strategies for Defeating Class Certification in Mass Tort Cases,” Exploring Toxic Tort and Environmental Liability Claims, DRI Publications, March 2007.
Author, “Defending Trade Secrets Claims,” DRI Defending Intellectual Property Compendium, Vol. 2, DRI Publications, October 2007.

Professional Associations:

American Bar Association

Defense Research Institute

Bar Admissions:

Illinois

U.S. District Courts for the Northern (Trial Bar member), Central, and Southern Districts of Illinois

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan

U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit

Personal Information:

Chris is married and has three daughters. Since 1996 he has been the race coordinator for Big Shoulders Open Water Swim in Chicago, and he is active in masters swimming as well as running and triathlons.

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