Biography

Ms. Okun is a partner in the Chicago office of Seyfarth Shaw LLP. She is a member of the Litigation Department where she concentrates her practice in complex commercial litigation.

Ms. Okun has tried cases in both state and federal courts and has experience in a wide variety of legal areas and industries, including trade secret and covenants not to compete, franchise and dealer disputes concentrating on motor vehicle dealerships, commercial contract work, securities fraud, product liability defense, construction, commercial fraud, NASD arbitration proceedings and insurance cases where she has represented insurers and the insured. Ms. Okun has successfully obtained and defended temporary restraining orders and preliminary and permanent injunctions related to covenants not to complete and trade secrets in several jurisdictions. In addition to representing clients through and including a determination of their rights at trial, Ms. Okun uses her broad litigation experience to advise clients as to best practices to prevent future litigation and with respect to potential disputes.

Among her accomplishments, Ms. Okun recently defended a leading truck manufacturer against claims brought by its former dealer in a three-week jury trial that ended with a verdict in favor of the manufacturer on the dealer’s claims that the manufacturer had violated the ADDCA, breached the dealer and stock purchase agreements between the parties, and tortiously interfered with its expectations. She also successfully defended an internationally known manufacturer of audio equipment against claims by its former exclusive dealer in France of breach of contract, defeating the dealer’s claim in French court that litigation was appropriate in France, forcing the dealer to arbitrate in Chicago, then entering into a settlement under which the former dealer walked away from all of its claims.

Ms. Okun also successfully obtained injunctive relief on behalf of a payroll service whose tax provider threatened to cease services and payment of taxes for the service's 3,500 clients. For that same client, she obtained injunctive relief that effectively shut down a potential competing business started by former employees, preventing the employees from utilizing the company’s confidential information and soliciting its customers. Ms. Okun secured, following trial, a dismissal of fraud claims brought by a subcontractor in connection with the construction of residential quarters for the U.S. Navy. Additionally, she successfully represented an internationally known insurer in environmental insurance company litigation, defending toxic claims worth $50 million to $200 million. She also defended a major distributor of latex gloves against latex allergy litigation which included over 100 cases in state and federal courts throughout the country.

Education

J.D., University of Michigan Law School (1994)

Campbell Moot Court Competition Semifinalist

B.A., University of Michigan, with high distinction (1992)

Admissions

• Illinois

Courts

• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
• U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (Trial Bar)
• U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut (Pro Hac Vice)
• U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa (Pro Hac Vice)
• U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan (Pro Hac Vice)
• North Carolina State Court (Pro Hac Vice)