Steven P. Blonder

Steven P. Blonder

Steven P. Blonder
Principal
Phone: 312.521.2402 vCard
Fax: 312.521.2302
sblonder@muchshelist.com

PRACTICE GROUPS

AT WORK

Steven P. Blonder is a valued legal and business counselor in a wide range of matters. As a skilled advocate whose practice focuses on complex business litigation, Steve has argued successfully before the federal appellate courts, and possesses a record of consistent success in motion and trial practice (both jury and non-jury) in state and federal courts and in arbitration. His clients range from Fortune 500 companies to small businesses and entrepreneurs in a variety of industries.

As a counselor, Steve helps clients identify and overcome obstacles to their success, and strategize plans to accomplish their business objectives. His litigation practice is primarily centered in the areas of financial services, corporate governance and control, securities, real estate, regulatory and business issues. Steve also has significant experience in handling temporary restraining orders and preliminary injunctions.

Representative matters include:

  • Defense of a pharmaceutical manufacturer in a nationwide consumer fraud class action by purchasers of prescription drugs. The trial court entered final judgment for the defendants on grounds of statute of limitations, federal preemption and failure to prove elements of consumer fraud. Affirmed on appeal.
  • Successfully defended former directors and officers in a shareholder class action, breach of fiduciary duty suits in bankruptcy and an SEC investigation arising from alleged financial and business misrepresentations. Clients paid nothing.
  • Represented a minority owner of one of the country's largest privately held companies in an arbitration regarding the value of company stock. The arbitration panel awarded more than $20 million, which was later affirmed by the federal district court and the Eighth Circuit.
  • Defended a national financial institution against allegations stemming from the decision not to lend money in connection with a film project. Claims included breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, consumer fraud and breach of contract. The case was dismissed based on the Illinois Credit Agreements Act.
  • Defended the exclusive licensee of one of the world's most popular card games against allegations by the inventor that the licensee breached the terms of the license agreement.
  • Currently defending a national home warranty company in a class action brought by purchasers of home warranties. Allegations include claims for consumer fraud and federal statutory violations.
  • Currently defending former directors and officers of a public company against claims brought by former shareholders arising out of a going-private transaction. Allegations include claims that the former directors violated RICO in connection with the transaction.
  • Currently representing (on a pro bono basis) condominium owners alleging that the homeowners' association violated their rights under the Fair Housing Act by removing their mezuzah from the doorpost of their unit.

IN THE PROFESSION

Steve is a regular speaker and commentator to the media on a range of topics, including financial services, civil procedure, legal ethics and malpractice, appellate advocacy and corporate governance. He has written about financial services, real estate, the use of expert witnesses, class actions and intercollegiate athletics.

Steve is a member of the American, Chicago and Seventh Circuit Bar Associations. He also served on the committee for the Chicago Bar Foundation's annual Pro Bono Week. In 2005, he was selected by the Law Bulletin Publishing Company as one of the "40 Illinois Attorneys Under Forty to Watch." Steve has earned an "AV" rating by the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, the highest rating available. Steve has been designated an Illinois Super Lawyer (2008-2012), an honor given to the top 5% of attorneys in the state, and has been recognized by the Leading Lawyers Network as a top Illinois lawyer in the area of commercial litigation (2008-2012).

While in law school, Steve was the recipient of the Mulroy Prize for Excellence in Appellate Advocacy.

IN THE COMMUNITY

Steve, who was recently elected to the Board of Trustees for Chicago public television station WTTW11 and its sister radio station, 98.7WFMT, serves as Co-Chair of Much Shelist's Pro Bono & Community Involvement Committee. A former member of the Executive Committee of the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, Steve served on the Board of Directors for six years and on various committees for 13 years. He has held multiple leadership positions within the JUF's Young Leadership Division, including past service as President of the Division, and is a recipient of the Young Leadership Award.

Currently, Steve serves on the board of directors for the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (Midwest Region) and the Jewish Community Center of Chicago. He spent three years as the Chairman of The Hillels of Illinois; was President of Ezra Habonim, the Niles Township Jewish Congregation in Skokie, Illinois for four years; is a former Executive Committee member of the Midwest Region of the Anti-Defamation League; was a member of the United Jewish Communities National Young Leadership Cabinet; and served as an officer of the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society. Steve has also served as a national officer and campaign cabinet member of the United Jewish Appeal, as a national board member of the Jewish Commission of Public Affairs and Hillel, and as a member of Kol Dor. Active in politics, Steve recently chaired a Cook County judicial campaign.

BACKGROUND

University of Chicago Law School
J.D., 1993

University of Michigan
B.A., with distinction and honors, 1990

Steve is admitted to practice in Illinois, and before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (including the Trial Bar), the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Circuits.