Anders J. Watson - Associate

Back to all Attorneys

Biography

Anders Watson is an associate at Williams Montgomery & John Ltd. and a member of the firm's commercial litigation practice group. He focuses his practice on prosecuting and defending complex commercial litigation, including misappropriation of trade secrets, broker-dealer securities litigation, professional malpractice, insurance coverage, bankruptcy, and labor and employment matters in state and federal court.

Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Watson clerked for two years for the Honorable Jack B. Schmetterer, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

Education/Bar Admissions

Mr. Watson received a B.A. in political science, with distinction, in 2002 from Amherst College, where he was a member of the varsity soccer team. He received his J.D., magna cum laude, in 2007 from the University of Illinois College of Law, where he was an associate editor of the Law Review and a member of the Frederick Green Moot Court Competition, for which he was recognized for writing the best brief and for the best overall performance.

Mr. Watson was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2007 and also has been admitted to the following federal trial and appellate courts:

  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court, Central District of Illinois
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Illinois
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Central District of Illinois

In addition, Mr. Watson has been admitted pro hac vice in two additional federal courts.

Professional Activities

Mr. Watson is active in numerous professional organizations, including:

  • Chicago Bar Association
  • American Bar Association
  • Seventh Circuit Bar Association
  • Lawyers Club of Chicago, member, Board of Directors

Mr. Watson also is a member of the St. Ignatius College Prep Law Society. He served as chairman and treasurer of Citizens for Stewart in support of the candidacy of Emily Stewart for 46th Ward alderperson in the February 2011 Chicago general election.

  

Representative Matters

  • A Hedge Fund v. Former In-House Counsel

    American Arbitration Association
    Represented a hedge fund in the confidential arbitration of claims against one if its former in-house attorneys.

  • Clancy-Gernon Funeral Homes, Inc., et al. v. Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc.

    U.S. District Court, Southern District of Illinois
    Currently representing plaintiffs, members of the Illinois Funeral Directors Association (IFDA), in a putative class action involving alleged breach of trust related to mismanagement of consumer pre-need funds received by plaintiffs and deposited in the IFDA Preneed Trust under the Illinois Funeral or Burial Funds Act. Obtained summary judgment in related litigation, Fred C. Dames Funeral Homes, Inc., et al. v. Hynes, Circuit Court of Cook County, Ill., declaring that consent order and settlement between the Illinois State Comptroller, Director of Insurance and Merrill Lynch Life Agency, Inc. purporting to release Merrill Lynch entities exceeded the Comptroller's and Director's statutory authority.

  • Giger v. Ahmann, et al.

    U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Arbitration, Chicago, Ill.
    Currently defending associated person/licensed Illinois insurance producer in securities fraud action in federal court and in FINRA arbitration.

  • Nathan v. Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc. (In re Getrag Transmission Manufacturing, LLC)

    U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Michigan
    Obtained voluntary dismissal of adversary complaint seeking to avoid alleged preferential transfers on res judicata grounds because liquidating trustee failed to preserve debtor's claims in confirmed Chapter 11 plan.