Leonard E. Hudson

High-Stakes Litigation - Business Disputes - Franchise Litigation

I represent individuals and companies in high-stakes lawsuits, business and investment disputes, and franchise matters. I trained at a top global law firm where I practiced complex commercial litigation for a decade. I practice now at a boutique law firm where I help entrepreneurs and small businesses with their most important "bet the company" matters.

My practice includes:
- Contract disputes
- Fraud cases
- Franchising and dealer terminations and regulatory compliance
- Securities & commodities litigation / enforcement and regulatory compliance (SEC, FINRA, CME, ICE)
- Intellectual property
- Trademark enforcement
- Trade secrets
- Technology disputes (software development, technology licensing)
- Non-competes / Restrictive covenants trade secrets
- Antitrust and Unfair Competition
- Product liability
- Arbitration (AAA, JAMS, and FINRA)
- Contract negotiations
- E-Discovery

Some of my successes include:

-Recovered millions of dollars for a small business owner in litigation against a public company
-Secured a seven-figure settlement for a technology firm in a software dispute with a government agency and former customer
-Recovered 100% of the amounts owed to a supplier by a customer
-Won a trial on behalf of a product supplier accused of negligence
-Defended a local manufacturer in "bet the company" $300 million antitrust lawsuit by a competitor
-Served as national franchise relationship counsel to a $150 million franchisor with over 3,000 units
-Represented a public company CEO in a securities fraud class action
-Negotiated a global settlement in a mass action of over 30 franchisees

My pro bono work includes appealing a death sentence imposed upon an Alabama man who did not receive a fair trial and defending the treasurer of an environmental NGO accused of accounting misconduct.

The John Marshall Law School

J.D.

2007

Distinguished Scholar (full tuition scholarship) Judicial Extern to Hon. Anne M. Burke, Illinois Supreme Court Judicial Extern to Hon. Themis Karnezis, Illinois Appellate Court CALI Awards for the highest grade in Torts, Property, and Constitutional Law

Honors: magna cum laude

Activities: Law Review Executive Editor

Illinois State University

B.S.

1997

Honors: magna cum laude

Senior Associate

The Collins Law Firm, P.C.

Current

Counsel, Complex Litigation Group

Reed Smith LLP

Current

Distinguished Scholar - Full Tuition Scholarship

The John Marshall Law School

Illinois State Bar

Member

Current

Illinois

U.S. District Court Eastern District of Wisconsin

U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois

• Free Consultation

• Litigation
• Franchise Disputes