David Stevenson has 30 years of experience in representing clients in complex commercial cases. He has successfully tried or arbitrated significant cases involving business disputes, construction defects and reinsurance claims. Mr. Stevenson has been recognized by his peers as an Illinois Leading Lawyer for commercial litigation, insurance/insurance coverage and reinsurance law.
Representative Cases:
Sears, Roebuck & Co. v. Duke-Weeks Realty Limited Partnership, et al., Circuit Court of Will County. Claims against owner and numerous contractors arising out of roof collapse at major distribution warehouse. Sears claims damages in excess of $12.0 million. Representation of owner (Allianz Life) ongoing.
Smith v. Arthur Andersen LLP, et al., U.S. District Court of Arizona. Breach of fiduciary duty claims by trustee against client director arising out of bankruptcy of Boston Chicken, Inc. Settled after extensive discovery and while summary judgment motions pending.
Prudential Plaza Associates v. Turner Construction Company, Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois. Construction defects and delay damages involving 65 story building. Judgment of $8.3 million for client Turner after trial.
Whirlpool Corporation, et al v. Sensata Technologies, Inc., et al., Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois. Represent plaintiff in multi-million dollar commercial suit arising out of recall of Whirlpool and Maytag refrigerators. Suit pending.
Central Illinois Light Co. v. Freeman United Coal Co., Arbitration (JAMS). Claims by Illinois utility against coal company for breach of cost-plus coal contract. Damage award for utility (client) after 5 week arbitration hearing.
Miken Cartage Inc. v. Comdata Network, Inc., Circuit Court of Cook County. Claim for $1 million in damages arising from fraudulent use of Comdata's money transfer services by plaintiff's employee and truckers. Summary judgment for client Comdata Network.
Harleysville Mutual Ins. Co. v. GE Reinsurance Corp., U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Claims for $6.8 million under quota share reinsurance treaty. Settled.
Archstone Consulting LLC v. The Cambridge Group, et al., Circuit Court of Lake County. Claims alleging breach of employment agreement and trade secret violation. Represented defendants. Case resolved without payment by clients.
Peer Pedersen v. Donna Ring, Circuit Court of Cook County. Represented plaintiff to collect under cross-indemnity agreement against shareholder/investor. Settled on favorable terms to client.
William Ryan Homes v. IRED Jackson Creek, Circuit Court of Cook County. Represented builder in lawsuit to recover earnest money and letter of credit. Full recovery obtained for client.
Springfield Service Supply, Inc. v. 24 KT. Ironworks, Circuit Court of Cook County. Claims against steel fabricator (client) on CTA project seeking damages for additional work and delay; counterclaim for backcharges. Judgment for client through AAA arbitration.
Global Granite & Marble, LLC v. James McHugh Construction Co., Circuit Court for the City of St. Louis, Missouri. Various construction claims by and against construction manager arising out of construction of a Westin hotel in St. Louis, Missouri. Settled.
Old Republic Insurance Co. v. Employer's Reinsurance Co., U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Reinsurance dispute relating to large complex insurance program. Judgment after trial for client reinsurer (affirmed on appeal).
J.M.H.P. Wetherall v. Cole Booth Potter, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Facultative reinsurance dispute against intermediary. Judgment after trial for client intermediary (affirmed on appeal).
Epstein Construction v. US Foodservice, Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois. Construction defects and delay damages involving food warehouse and distribution facility in Las Vegas, Nevada. Settled through JAMS mediation for client US Foodservice.
Zurich Insurance Company v. Federal Insurance Co., U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. Breach of contract and bad faith claim against excess insurer. Settlement resulting in payment to primary insurer (client).
Sears v. Benchmark, Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois. Claims relating to single ply roofs on 450 facilities. Settled on favorable terms for roofing consultant client.
Baker Mellon Stuart v. Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Claims by contractor for payment and claims by owner for construction defects and delay. Settled at time of trial on favorable terms for District (client).
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District v. Knight Architects, Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois. Malpractice against architects relating to deficient plans for office, shop and warehouse facility. Settled on favorable terms for District (client).
Montgomery v. Aetna Plywood, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Breach of fiduciary duty claims against ESOP trustees. (ERISA) Judgment for client trustees after trial (set aside upon settlement).
Decor Gates, Inc. v. Fararo, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Trade dress claims involving floor registers. Settlements obtained for client from five defendants. Casualty Insurance Co. v. Constitution Re and AON Reinsurance Agency, Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois. Claims under facultative reinsurance certificate; late notice defense. Summary judgment for client (reinsurance intermediary).
Polsky v. Indeck Energy, Circuit Court of Lake County, Illinois. Breach of shareholders agreement, breach of employment agreement and breach of fiduciary duty claims seeking $100 million in damages. Settled during trial.
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