Frederick J. Sperling concentrates his practice in civil litigation involving a broad range of issues including commercial law, trusts, breach of fiduciary duties, malpractice, defamation, misappropriation, and media and entertainment law. He practices in federal and state courts at both the trial and appellate levels, and he has substantial experience in both mediation and arbitration. He completed the International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution's mediator training program.

Experience

Cases Mr. Sperling has successfully handled include:

• Defense in a jury trial of a $14 million claim against the developer of the River East real estate project for the purchase of CFC Investment's interest.
• Defense of claims in excess of $150 million for commercial disparagement by TII Industries against ANTEC and Keptel.
• Defense of claims in excess of $40 million for goodwill on the termination of a joint venture and conversion by Cincinnati Bell against Anixter.
• Defense in an evidentiary hearing for a preliminary injunction to enjoin the release of Warner Bros.’ movie The Hangover Part II based on a claim of copyright infringement by the tattooist who created Mike Tyson’s facial tattoo.
• Prosecution of Warner Bros.' claims for infringement of its copyrights in The Wizard of Oz, Gone With the Wind and the Tom and Jerry cartoons. 
• Defense in a five-week jury trial of a $28 million claim for breach of a contract to act in a movie by Heaven Corporation against Michael Jordan.
• Prosecution at trial of claims by Michael Jordan to terminate license agreements for a restaurant and an associated retail store.
• Defense of an attempt to enjoin the construction and operation of a restaurant owned by Michael Jordan.
• Obtained summary judgment for Michael Jordan on claim for breach of an alleged contract to pay Karla Knafel $5 million upon Jordan's retirement from professional basketball.
• Prosecution of trademark infringement and misappropriation claims by Michael Jordan against Avon and M.Z. Berger.
• Defense of claims for trademark infringement and unfair competition by Chattanoga Manufacturing against Michael Jordan.
• Prosecution of Michael Jordan's claims in the WorldCom bankruptcy for amounts owed under an endorsement agreement.
• Defense of claims for $40 million for breach of contract, unjust enrichment, fraudulent inducement, tortious interference with business relationships and violation of the Illinois Trade Secrets Act against Elton Brand.
• Appeal in the Illinois Supreme Court of claims for defamation against a magazine publisher establishing that the fair report privilege cannot be defeated by actual malice and that there is no judicial action limitation on the privilege.
• Defense of claims for defamation and false light invasion of privacy against Fox Television Stations and its investigative reporter.
• Defense of multimillion-dollar claims for defamation against (a) CBS Broadcasting and its reporter and (b) Fox Television Stations, its general manager and its reporter.
• Defense of multimillion-dollar claims for defamation and related torts against the Chicago-Crawford Currency Exchange and its president.
• Defense of multimillion-dollar defamation claims against the auditor of the Bank of Bellwood.
• Defense of claims for defamation and invasion of privacy against the Chicago Council of Lawyers and its president.
• Prosecution of a claim for the recovery of retirement funds by the Eagle Industries Pension Plan and defense of an indemnification claim against Eagle Industries for those funds.
• Representation of minor beneficiaries in the resolution of disputes concerning the Pritzker ancestor trusts.
• Prosecution of securities claims by a group of hedge funds against Salomon Brothers.
• Defense in an arbitration of contract claims against Midwest Newsclip by Burrelle's and prosecution of Newsclip's counterclaim.

Publications

A Primer on Illinois Defamation Law

Pro Bono Activities

Mr. Sperling has been involved in numerous pro bono cases, including:

• Ballot access and other election law cases
• A series of bias violence cases, including the first civil case tried under the Illinois Hate Crime Act
• A First Amendment case in the Illinois Supreme Court for the publisher of a small magazine

Awards and Honors

Anti-Defamation League Civil Rights Award

AV Rated — Martindale-Hubbell

Best Lawyers in America
Appellate; Commercial Litigation; and Litigation –
    Real Estate
Chicago Litigation – Real Estate Lawyer of the Year (2013)

Illinois Super Lawyers — General Litigation

Leading Lawyer — Advertising & Media; Arts, Entertainment & Sports; Civil Appellate; Civil Rights & Constitutional; Commercial Litigation, Illinois Leading Lawyers Network
Top 100 Business Lawyers