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Experience:
Fern Bomchill is a prominent litigator, mediator, and counselor whose practice deals with a broad spectrum of corporate, commercial, and financial matters. Since joining Mayer Brown LLP in 1972, Fern has built a well-earned reputation as a skilled, knowledgeable trial lawyer and courtroom manager, and a proficient, well-informed mediator who masters case detail and achieves realistic, equitable, and timely solutions. In addition, she provides effective coordination and consultation regarding a wide variety of corporate concerns, including liability and exposure, consumer information and protection issues, and risk-management strategies.
Fern's practice is particularly concentrated on federal and state court litigation and mediation, in which she prosecutes and defends class and individual actions that involve banking, bankruptcy, commercial, consumer protection, contract, product liability, trust, and tort claims. She also defends attorneys in court and before regulatory bodies, and mediates community disputes.
As national and regional coordinator of product liability defense for a chemical and lubricant manufacturer, automobile manufacturer, and manufacturer of fire safety-related equipment, Fern serves as a class action "Roundtable" participant. She reviews her clients' liability exposure and reports to their Boards on recommended actions. Fern also provides product liability counsel by drafting and consulting on consumer and commercial warranties, sales and distribution agreements, and product warnings and advertisements. She advises clients about federal and state consumer and safety statutes and requirements, structured settlements/securitizations, and document retention issues.
Widely recognized for her professional activities, Fern has received numerous special appointments, including:
Firm Claims Counsel and ALAS Representative 2002-present
Special Master, Industrial Gas Antitrust Litigation, United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois, 1985-1986
Claims Administration Committee, 1987-present
Acting Associate General Counsel, Continental Illinois National Bank and Trust Company of Chicago, 1984-1985
Notable Engagements:
Obtained defense judgment in sanction action.
Obtained dismissal of class claims under the FDCPA and other federal and state consumer protection statutes.
Obtained judgment in breach of contract trial.
Defeated injunctive relief sought in trademark infringement action.
Obtained injunctive relief to enforce sale of business.
Defense of claims in Chapter 11 actions on behalf of debtors' and creditors' committees.
Successful mediation of CERCLA and $400 million contract and toxic tort claims.
Obtained judgment and affirmance of multimillion dollar lender liability claim.
Obtained judgment and sanctions award in litigation on 51 secured financing agreements.
Obtained unprecedented $60 million settlement in fidelity bond litigation.
Obtained full recovery after default of $15 million barge partnership financing.
Obtained judgments and favorable settlements in various wrongful death and other product liability claims.
Obtained dismissal and affirmance on appeal of fraud complaint arising out of stock purchase.
Education:
University of Chicago Law School, JD, 1972, The University of Michigan, BA, 1969. | 