Deirdre A. Fox
Deirdre A. Fox has represented companies in a broad range of industries, including consumer products, building products and automobiles in federal and state courts nationwide. She had extensive experience developing strategy and managing large, complex cases including high stakes, multi-jurisdictional litigation involving novel legal theories, and has first-and second-chaired trials. Her experience extends to complex contract disputes, employment disputes, dealer and distribution disputes, class action defense, product liability and intellectual property disputes.
Ms. Fox is admitted to practice in Illinois and also is registered to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office, with a technical background in materials science and engineering. Ms. Fox clerked for the Honorable Judge Thomas Gibbs Gee of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
Ms. Fox is an active member of the Richard Linn American Inn of Court and is a member of the Illinois and Chicago Bar Associations. Additionally, Ms. Fox served on the Board of Directors and as Director of Development (pro bono) for the Chicago Artists Coalition from 2004 to 2006. She is an accomplished visual artist and recipient of numerous visual arts honors and awards, including selection as a featured artist for Chicago Artists Month. Ms. Fox received multiple grant awards from the City of Chicago/Illinois Arts Council, among others, and her artwork is exhibited nationally.
Prior to joining Schoeman, Updike & Kaufman, LLP, Ms. Fox was a Partner at Kirkland & Ellis and a business owner.
Representative Engagements
- Defended simultaneous nationwide and state class actions and individual actions alleging defective building product. Developed successful procedural strategy and coordinated proceedings before the Multi-district Litigation Panel, resulting in defeat of nationwide class certification in federal court.
- Member of the team that successfully defended the City of Chicago in a suit brought by two major airlines to halt the issuance of $1 billion in bonds for Completion Phase of the O'Hare Modernization Project.
- Defended landmark aggregated actions by asbestos companies/Trusts and medical recoupment actions by state attorneys general involving novel and developing legal theories. Second chaired seven-week trial on behalf of Brown & Williamson in Falise et al. v. American Tobacco Co., et al. Mistrial followed by plaintiffs’ voluntary dismissal.
- Defeated dealers’ protest to declare major automobile manufacturer’s new national uniform dealer agreement void.
- Defended and resolved breach of contract and tortuous interference claims by former employee after obtaining ruling precluding plaintiff’s damages expert from trial. First chair.
- Conducted multi-day Temporary Restraining Order hearing in cell phone dealer suit to prevent termination of dealer agreement. Case settled.
- Defended oil company in suits by multiple dealers challenging pricing practices. Suits dismissed on the law.
- Member of team that defended $300 million plus RICO suits by multiple banks premised on alleged parent company guarantees of real estate joint ventures of subsidiary. Case settled.
Professional Service
- The Richard Linn American Inn of Court
- Mentor, University of Chicago - The Law School
- CARPLS Legal Aid Hotline
