Mark J. Altschul focuses his practice on complex business litigation, including commercial disputes involving breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, tax controversy issues, and trade secret disputes. Additionally, Mark counsels clients concerning litigation, business strategy, and dispute resolution. He regularly appears in federal and state courts and has arbitrated before the American Arbitration Association.
Prior to entering private practice, Mark served as a law clerk to Judge Norman C. Roettger of the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida, as well as to Magistrate Judge John J. O’Sullivan of the Southern District of Florida. While in law school, Mark served as a summer extern to Judge Robert W. Gettleman of the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and was a member of the University of Illinois Law Review. Before attending law school, Mark worked as an honors paralegal for the US Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division.
Selected Representations
Note: This list includes engagements completed prior to joining Morgan Lewis.
Successfully representing certain online travel companies as national counsel in high-profile tax litigation pending in federal and state courts, in addition to administrative agencies, throughout the United States, and obtaining summary judgment and defeating motions for class certification on their behalf.
Prevailing on a motion to dismiss in a multimillion dollar Computer Fraud and Abuse Act claim filed in the Northern District of Illinois.
Successfully arguing motion for temporary restraining order in the Northern District of Illinois to prevent disruption of supply chain of goods when case successfully settled in client's favor.
Defeating shareholder class action seeking to enjoin client’s merger transaction and negotiated disclosure-only settlement. Clients paid nothing.
Obtaining a favorable settlement for one of the largest US employee benefits consultants against breach of contract and negligence claims in a high-profile lawsuit pending in the Southern District of Texas.
Prevailing on a bench trial for contested guardianship proceedings in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, on behalf of a pro bono client who was named guardian in the will of a minor’s father, a Kenyan immigrant.
Education
University of Illinois College of Law, 2002, J.D.
University of Michigan, 1996, B.A.
Admissions
Illinois
Clerkships
Clerkship to Judge Norman C. Roettger of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida
Clerkship to Magistrate Judge John J. O’Sullivan of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida
Awards and Affiliations
Listed, Illinois Super Lawyers “Rising Star” (2010–2012)