Firm Overview
Areas of Practice
Attorneys
Representative Clients
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Robert D. Cheifetz, Partner
Mr. Cheifetz has been with Sperling & Slater since graduating from the University of Chicago Law School in 1992. He has a broad commercial litigation practice with a focus on complex commercial litigation, intellectual property disputes, and bankruptcy litigation. His clients range from entrepreneurs to Fortune 500 companies. Mr. Cheifetz has litigated in Illinois state and federal courts, at both the trial and appellate court levels, as well as in numerous jurisdictions around the country.
Education
J.D., University of Chicago Law School, 1992
B.A., Brandeis University, 1988, magna cum laude
Representative Matters
Complex Commercial Litigation
Mr. Cheifetz successfully represented the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies in an appellate level constitutional challenge to public financing of their arena. Ragsdale v. City of Memphis, et. al., 70 S.W.3d 56 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2001). He has also successfully defended a $100 million intra-partnership dispute at a leading supplier of Christmas decorations and accessories; and was retained as special counsel by PricewaterhouseCoopers, the receiver for Independent Trust Corporation, to pursue affirmative claims on behalf of some 17,000 retirees who lost pension funds as a result of alleged fraud and corporate mismanagement, including claims against LaSalle Bank. In other matters, Mr. Cheifetz has successfully defended a major stadium food vendor against breach of contract claims by a professional baseball team, and represented the Wirtz Corporation in various suits involving breach of contract, antitrust and other claims relating to liquor distribution and franchise rights.
Intellectual Property Disputes
Mr. Cheifetz has represented the Lemelson inventive legacy in numerous actions around the country. He successfully defended the Lemelson Medical, Education & Research Foundation before the Nevada Supreme Court in an action by a former employer seeking rights to the billion-dollar Lemelson patent portfolio. United States Metals v. Lemelson Medical 106 P.3d 1265 (Nev. 2002). He also successfully defended the foundation in an action for breach of contract and breach of fiduciary regarding patent licensing and other issues. Syndia Corp., et al. v. Lemelson Medical, Education, and Research Foundation, Limited Partnership, 165 F.Supp.2d 728 (N.D.Ill. 2001). He also won dismissal of a third party complaint against the foundation in a related patent infringement suit. Syndia Corp. v. Gillete Co. v. Lemelson Medical, Education and Research Foundation, L.P., No. 01 C 2485, 2002 WL 548843 (N.D.Ill. April 11, 2002). In addition to his Lemelson work, Mr. Cheifetz successfully defended a beverage pouch entrepreneur in a trademark action brought by Kraft Foods, makers of Capri Sun brand portable juices.
Bankruptcy and Insolvency Litigation
Mr. Cheifetz serves as special counsel to Ha-Lo Industries in bankruptcy adversary proceedings in connection with fraudulent transfer, breach of fiduciary duty, negligence, breach of contract, corporate waste and other claims. Mr. Cheifetz also serves as special counsel retained by the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of United Airlines to pursue antitrust claims against an aircraft provider group.
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Robert D. Cheifetz
312-641-3200
robc@sperling-law.com
Sperling & Slater
55 West Monroe Street
Suite 3200
Chicago, Illinois 60603
312-641-3200
fax: 312-641-6492
info@sperling-law.com
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