CO-CHAIR, CORPORATE LITIGATION PRACTICE GROUP
Will is a nationally recognized trial lawyer who has tried more than 75 cases to judgment in a career spanning more than two decades. Clients across the country turn to Will for high-stakes commercial finance, real estate, M&A, and executive compensation and non-compete disputes.
Banking/Commercial Finance Litigation
The nation’s leading banks, private equity firms, and family offices trust Will to represent them in commercial finance litigation nationwide, including enforcement of loan agreements and guaranties, intercreditor disputes, third-party fraud and Ponzi schemes, defense of lender liability claims, and lien priority fights. Clients often involve him early in workouts and potential litigation to help them anticipate and avoid pitfalls.
He represents commercial lenders in bankruptcy litigation matters, including cash collateral disputes, preference and fraudulent transfer actions, claim objections, plan confirmation, and lift stay motions. He also writes and speaks extensively on banking litigation matters.
Real Estate Litigation
Will oversees the judicial foreclosures of some of the most prominent industrial, retail, hotel, condominium, and condo-hotel projects in Chicago, Florida, New York, Hawaii, and beyond, having successfully foreclosed on billions of dollars of secured debt. For instance, he handled the foreclosure of a collection of 28 golf clubs across multiple states, large condo-hotel projects throughout Florida, several prominent buildings in Hawaii, and condominium towers in Chicago.
Clients rely on Will to negotiate and document forbearance agreements and deeds in lieu of foreclosure; litigate construction defect and mechanics lien claims on behalf of lenders, title insurance companies, and property owners; and handle complex commercial lease disputes.
M&A, Executive, and Non-Compete Disputes
Will counsels buyers, sellers, and lenders in contested merger and acquisition transactions and frequently provides transaction-related advice regarding representations and warranties and potential tort claims. He also litigates executive compensation and termination disputes, as well as breaches of non-compete and non-solicit restrictions.
Crain’s Chicago Business recognized Will in 2022 as a Notable Gen X Leader in Accounting, Consulting, and Law for his contributions to the Chicago legal profession, the firm’s banking and real estate litigation teams, and the community.