Sean B. Crotty 
Member

Phone: (312) 606-8626
Email: scrotty@crottylaw.com
Education
·   J.D., DePaul University College of Law
·   B.A., Indiana University, Bloomington


Bar Admissions
·   Illinois
·   U.S. Supreme Court
·   U.S. Court of Appeals, 2d Circuit
·   U.S. Court of Appeals, 7th Circuit
·   U.S. District Court, Northern District of       Illinois (Member of Trial Bar)


Recognition
·   Illinois Super Lawyers
    (2010-2022)
·   Best Lawyers in America
    (2009-2022)
·   Top 100 Bet-the Company Litigators
    (2022)


Professional Associations
·   American Bar Association (Section of         Litigation)
·   Illinois State Bar Association
·   Chicago Bar Association  
·   Village of River Forest Ethics                
    Commission, Chairman (2006-2016)


Speaking Engagements
·   The Use of the I.R.P.C. in Legal 
    Malpractice Actions, Chicago 
    Bar Association
·   Disclosure, Informed Consent and the 
    Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct, 
    Chicago Bar Association
·   Legal Ethics, Illinois Association of 
    Defense Trial Counsel
Sean B. Crotty has been practicing law in Chicago for over two decades.  He focuses his practice on four principal areas: complex commercial litigation, executive compensation, employment disputes, and business counseling.
 
Complex Commercial Litigation

Mr. Crotty tries complex commercial cases to verdict in federal and state courts.  He prosecutes and defends cases involving legal and accounting malpractice, directors' and officers' liability, breaches of fiduciary duty, misappropriation of trade secrets, patent infringement and a myriad of other business disputes.  In addition to his own litigation practice, Mr. Crotty is regularly retained to assist other attorneys to prepare for trial or to act as lead trial counsel on their matters.  

Among his other litigation accomplishments, Mr. Crotty:
  • Won a full defense jury verdict on behalf of a transportation company where the plaintiff sought over $200 million in damages based on alleged civil racketeering, bribery, and breach of fiduciary duty.
  • Won a seven figure jury verdict in a patent infringement trial.
  • Won a multi-million dollar verdict on behalf of a large private equity firm after a four week bench trial on a breach of contract claim.
  • Successfully defended a $3 million Lanham Act claim to a $0 settlement for his client. 
  • Successfully defended a German manufacturing company in a $17 million fraudulent conveyance claim to a nominal settlement.
  • Recovered over $100 million on behalf of the bankruptcy estate of a financial holding company prosecuting claims of accounting malpractice, breach of fiduciary duty, legal malpractice, and fraudulent conveyance.
  • Obtained several multi-million dollar recoveries (via verdict and settlement) in legal malpractice cases. 
  • Obtained a multi-million dollar settlement on behalf of a senior executive in a retaliatory discharge suit. 
  • Obtained an emergency temporary restraining order and then permanent injunction closing down a night club for trademark infringement.

Executive Compensation

Mr. Crotty represents C-suite and other senior executives regarding all aspects of executive compensation.  He drafts, reviews, and negotiates employment, severance and change of control agreements for executives and advises them regarding incentive compensation, deferred compensation, and retirement plans.  
 
Employment Disputes

In addition to negotiating employment contracts and separation agreements, Mr. Crotty represents executives and companies in a variety of employment disputes.  He prosecutes and defends cases alleging breaches of non-competition and non-solicit agreements, misappropriation of trade secret claims, severance and change in control disputes, retaliatory discharge claims and Title VII cases.  Mr. Crotty also frequently represents executives in connection with internal investigations and challenging exits.

Business Counseling

Mr. Crotty counsels businesses and senior executives with respect to a myriad of legal issues.  Whether it is advising their Board of Directors regarding the proper exercise of fiduciary duty or negotiating the acquisition of a business for them, clients turn to Mr. Crotty for sound practical counsel.