John C. Martin

John C. MartinPartner

  • Chicago: (312) 704-2172
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John Martin’s law practice is devoted to providing representation and counsel in complex business disputes, including contractual, fiduciary, and attorney professional responsibility matters. He has served as principal counsel in multi-million dollar commercial litigation, including opposing multistate class and shareholder litigation and the defense of direct and derivative claims against corporate and ERISA fiduciaries. John is also the firm's general counsel.

John’s clients range from individuals and small businesses to multinational corporations, and he represents both plaintiffs and defendants in a wide variety of commercial disputes, including corporate governance suits, trust litigation, and matters arising out of lending and other financial relationships. He has extensive trial and appellate experience before the State and Federal courts in Chicago, and frequently collaborates with other firms as local counsel.  For every client, in every matter, John takes pride in using his experience to find solutions that are both creative and cost-effective, working with (and listening to) his clients to identify the battles that need to be fought and fight them from the best positions possible.

John’s practice also extends to attorney professional responsibility matters.  He represents and advises both attorneys and clients in connection with professional responsibility matters and fee disputes.  He is an active member of both the American Bar Association Section of Litigation’s Ethics and Professionalism Committee (which he co-chaired from 2010-2013) and the Chicago Bar Association’s Professional Responsibility and Professional Fees Committees (which he chaired during the 2015-2016 bar years). He also served as a member of the ABA Ethics 20/20’s Working Group on Alternative Litigation Finance. He has spoken and published extensively on issues relating to legal ethics and attorney professional responsibilities, including recent presentations on attorney obligations relating to fees, attorney’s liens, advertising, and financing.

Prior to entering private practice, John clerked for the Honorable Suzanne B. Conlon of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

 

Memberships

American Bar Association
Chicago Bar Association
Illinois State Bar Association
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Honors


Selected by peers as a Leading Lawyer in: Commercial Litigation (2009-2017)

Publications

Speaking Engagements

Civic & Professional

Chair, Chicago Bar Association Professional Fees Committee (2015-2016)
Co-Chair, American Bar Association Section of Litigation Ethics and Professionalism Committee (2010-2013)
Member, ABA Ethics 20/20 Working Group on Alternative Litigation Finance

John C. Martin's recent or notable engagements and experience includes:

Successfully defended direct and derivative claims brought against members of a condominium board of managers in actions brought by a unit owner, with dismissal affirmed on appeal. See Geraci v. Cramer, 2017 IL App (1st) 151555-U; Geraci v. Union Square Condominium Association, 2017 IL App (1st) 162856-U.

Secured dismissal of tortious interference with testamentary expectancy and breach of fiduciary duty claims brought against trustee of testamentary trust. See Clark v. Heckes, 2016 IL App (1st) 162210-U.

Won summary judgment for radiology practice whose exclusive reading contract was breached by medical provider following an asset sale.

Obtained dismissal of claims brought against lawyer by member of client LLC who asserted lawyer had colluded in removal of member’s management authority.

Successfully defended at trial a claim brought against client by former law firm seeking fees incurred in defiance of client’s instructions.

Counseled lawyers in firm separation agreements, ensuring compliance with professional duties owed clients and addressing contractual/fiduciary duties owed firm.