Stephen Landes

Stephen J. Landes is well known for his work on cutting edge cases; for example, for many years he represented defendants in novel land claims brought by Native Americans throughout the United States.

More recently, Steve was lead trial counsel in the first case brought on behalf of a U.S. citizen under the Anti-Terrorism Act against funders of international terrorism, resulting in a jury verdict of $156 million for Steve’s clients. He represented a major UK company on a variety of issues having to do with acquisitions and divestitures.

Steve has counseled a broad range of companies on antitrust compliance and trade regulation issues. He also was national counsel to a major industrial concern for all asbestos-related litigation. Within the Firm, Steve is a “lawyer’s lawyer,” advising the Firm’s own attorneys and lawyers outside the Firm on complicated ethical and professional issues.

Representative Experience :

• Represented Money Station in challenge in Federal Reserve Board and D.C. Circuit to Electronic Payment System’s acquisition of National City Corporation’s ATM business. The DC Circuit vacated approval of the transaction in a rare reversal of the FRB. Money Station, Inc. v. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, 81 F.3d 1128 (D.C. Cir. 1996).
• Representation of a multinational company that, after purchasing businesses in ten locations from another company, had substantial post-acquisition disputes over environmental liabilities and breach of contract issues; lawsuits filed in federal court in Chicago and in state court in New York were settled right before trial.
• Represents both companies and individuals in criminal investigations and other alleged violations of antitrust laws, frequently negotiating on behalf of clients with various federal and state agencies including the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice, the Federal Trade Commission, and state antitrust authorities.
• Represented landowners in the defense of novel land claims throughout the United States by Native American tribes, resulting in the maintenance of the integrity of land owners’ property rights
• Obtained summary judgment on behalf of a client who, after closing a factory, was sued in federal court by hundreds of individual discharged workers claiming age discrimination.

Professional Affiliations :

• Member, American Bar Association (Litigation section)
• Member, Chicago Bar Association; DC Bar
• Adjunct Professor, Northwestern University School of Law

Education :

• J.D., Northwestern University School of Law, 1970
• B.A., with distinction and honors, Northwestern University, 1967

Admissions :

• Illinois, 1970
• District of Columbia