Jake W. Harrell

Jake has litigated cases in jurisdictions throughout the country and tried matters to verdict in federal and state courts as well as in arbitration.  Jake is also experienced in conducting pre-suit investigations and in emergency litigation, including pursuing and responding to motions for temporary restraining orders and preliminary injunctions.

Jake has represented a wide range of clients, from family run businesses to publicly traded companies.  Similarly, his practice has included matters regarding breach of contract, fiduciary duty, common law and statutory fraud, insurance coverage, civil RICO, and consumer class actions.  Jake also has extensive experience litigating intellectual property disputes, including patent, copyright, trade secret, and trade dress.

Representative Cases:

• Representing proprietary trading firm in ongoing litigation over ownership of intellectual property rights in a computer system used to trade options.

• Representing publicly traded automotive aftermarket manufacturer in ongoing patent litigation.

•  Represented insurance company in efforts to recover millions of dollars in defense costs from a non-defending primary insurer.  See Fireman's Fund Ins. Co. v. Hartford Accident and Indemnity Co., 2011 WL 1303148 (N.D. Ohio March 31, 2011) (denying opponent’s motion for summary judgment).

• Won complete summary judgment in favor of proprietary trading firm on allegations of breach of fiduciary duty.  Judgment affirmed on appeal.  Benson v. Stafford, 941 N.E.2d 386 (Ill. App. 2010).

• Represented options trader in employment / fiduciary duty dispute, winning dismissal of all claims against client as discovery sanction.  Breakwater Trading, LLC v. Maslin, Case No. 06 C 4242, 2008 U.S. Dist. Lexis 16308 (N.D. Ill. March 3, 2008).

• Won appeal to Third Circuit, reversing trial court dismissal of class action (Grippo & Elden retained to handle appeal after dismissal).  Huber v. Taylor, 532 F.3d 237 (3d Cir. 2008).

• Won appeal to Illinois Appellate Court, securing partial vacatur of arbitration award (Grippo & Elden retained to handle appeal after arbitration award).  Truserv Corp. v. Ernst & Young LLP, 876 N.E.2d 77 (Ill. App. 2007).

• Represented insurance company in coverage dispute under Section 524(g) of the U.S. Bankruptcy Act, resulting in first "hybrid pass through" agreement in asbestos bankruptcy.

• Represented insurance company in litigation involving potential coverage for clergy abuse claims and associated bankruptcy of insured Diocese.

• Represented major American toy manufacture in suit alleging patent infringement and misappropriation of trade dress, defeating motion for preliminary injunction.

Jake also maintains an active pro bono practice, including work for the Legal Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago, the National Immigrant Justice Center, and the Asian Human Services Legal Clinic.