Sondra A. Hemeryck

Partner

Sondra A. Hemeryck represents clients in civil litigation in federal and state courts at both the trial and appellate levels.

She also has substantial experience in alternative approaches to dispute resolution, such as arbitration and mediation. Ms. Hemeryck has litigated cases involving a broad range of issues including:

• Defamation and related torts
• Trademark and trade dress infringement
• False advertising
• Misappropriation of trade secrets
• Breach of contract
• RICO
• Fraud 
• Violation of federal antitrust laws

Experience

• Defense in a jury trial of $14 million breach of contract claim against the developer of the River East real estate project, resulting in a verdict for the defendant
• Representation of a small magazine publisher in a defamation case before the Illinois Supreme Court, resulting in an opinion establishing that the privilege to publish fair and accurate reports of official proceedings cannot be defeated by actual malice, and that there is no judicial action limitation on the privilege
• Defense in eight-day federal jury trial of trade dress infringement claim against Thermos LLC, resulting in a verdict for Thermos
• Defense of claims based on alleged failure to recognize vesting of stock options brought against Newell Rubbermaid and Rubbermaid, Inc. by four former employees of Rubbermaid, resulting in summary judgment in favor of defendants on all seven counts of complaint and successful defense of judgment on appeal
• Defense in five-week jury trial of $28 million claim for breach of contract to act in a movie brought by Heaven Corporation against Michael Jordan, resulting in a verdict in favor of Michael Jordan
• Successful prosecution of trademark infringement and misappropriation claims on behalf of Michael Jordan against Avon Products and M.Z. Berger
• Defense of multi-million dollar claims for defamation and related torts brought against the Chicago Crawford Currency Exchange and its president, resulting in summary judgment in favor of defendants on all counts
• Successful defense of attempt by the owners of Michael Jordan's Restaurant to enjoin construction and operation of new restaurant owned by Michael Jordan
• Defense of multi-million defamation claims brought against the auditor of the Bank of Bellwood, resulting in dismissal of the complaint with prejudice

Education

Clerkships

Honorable Richard D. Cudahy, U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit (1991-1992)

Professional Memberships

American Bar Association
Section of Litigation
      Committee on First Amendment and Media Litigation
Forum on Communications Law

Chicago Bar Association