Biography:
Mr. Lifvendahl has over 15 years of experience in representing clients in complex commercial and professional malpractice matters. He has successfully tried and arbitrated general business and commercial matters including non-compete agreements, construction claims, breach of contract, securities law, fraud claims, and legal, accounting and broker malpractice cases. Before joining the firm, Mr. Lifvendahl tried hundreds of criminal cases as a prosecutor in Cook County, Illinois.
Education:
Loyola University Chicago School of Law, J.D., 1992
Honors: American Jurisprudence Award, Business Planning
Boston College, B.A., 1988
Bar Admissions:
Illinois (1992)
Professional Memberships:
Chicago Bar Association
Additional Bar Admissions:
U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (including Trial Bar)
Representative Cases:
1350 Lake Shore Associates, LLP v. City of Chicago, et al, Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois and Illinois Appellate Court. As co-counsel, successfully represented a group of private land owners at trial in opposition to a large real estate project in a historic district of Chicago which violated local building ordinances.
Forsythe Solutions v. Nexgen Corporation, Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois. Successfully tried a breach of a non-compete agreement against a former subcontractor of an information technology firm.
Braun Consulting Inc. v. Inforte Corporation, et al, Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois. Successfully represented plaintiffs in a breach of a non-compete clause in an employment contract on behalf of an information technology firm against former employees.
Imo International Inc. v. Siemens DeMag Delaval Turbomachinery. Court of Chancery for the State of Delaware, New Castle County. Won summary judgment for defendants Mannesmann Corporation and DeMag Delaval Turbomachinery Corp. on a counterclaim for contractual indemnity of asbestos claims under an Asset Purchase Agreement.
Neoforma Inc. v. MedXS Solutions, et al, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois. Represented the plaintiff on a breach of contract claim involving the sale of a business to the defendants.
Zeller Realty Corp. v. AXA Equitable Life Insurance Co., Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois. Following a two week jury trial on claims of breach of contract and fraudulent concealment, successfully obtained a settlement for defendants in an amount substantially less than what was initially offered at the beginning of the case.
Bechtel Power Corp., et al v. Athens Generating Corp., et al v. Siemens Westinghouse Power Corp. Part of trial team that represented Siemens Westinghouse in a three and a half year arbitration in Washington, D.C. Received an arbitration decision for Siemens of "not guilty" in a construction claim by owner Athens involving claims for tens of millions of dollars in delays and liquidated damages. Siemens supplied combustion turbine generators and other equipment to a power plant in New York. When delays derailed the construction schedule, the general contractor (Bechtel) sued the plant owner for liquidated and other damages. The owner sought contribution or indemnity from Siemens. After a hearing spanning portions of three plus years, the panel found that the owner was entitled to no relief from Siemens by way of contribution, indemnity or otherwise (2009).
Represented prominent Chicago law firm in a six week bench trial based on alleged legal malpractice stemming from advice provided to a client regarding security law claims against an investment banking and brokerage firm (2010).
Represents national real estate franchisor in numerous arbitration matters stemming from breaches of franchise agreements by franchisers throughout the United States. Received over $5 million in arbitration awards following American Arbitration Association hearings for breach of contract (2008-present).
Represented manufacturer of energy control systems in a six week arbitration hearing in New York before an American Arbitration Association panel. The hearing involved testimony from numerous witnesses and experts focusing on whether certain mechanical components met the stated specifications in the contract (2008).
See Extended Biography
