Skyler J. Silvertrust
Partner, Litigation
Skyler J. Silvertrust is a partner in the Litigation Department. He focuses on complex commercial disputes and government/regulatory investigations. His practice spans a wide range of industries and legal areas, including matters involving the aviation and aerospace, banking and financial services, telecommunications, manufacturing, real estate and construction, insurance, publishing, and media and entertainment sectors. He has significant experience with breach of contract and business tort claims, class actions, complex fraud and financial litigation, disputes involving restrictive covenants and misappropriation of trade secrets, antitrust and unfair competition matters, and deceptive trade practice cases.
Skyler has experience with trials in federal and state courts, as well as with private commercial and international arbitrations, and he has argued critical motions before numerous courts. He has also represented clients at the appellate level, including in cases before the Supreme Court of the United States.
A pro bono advocate, Skyler has litigated serious criminal matters, asylum claims, and federal civil rights cases on behalf of indigent clients. He has also worked on cases involving statutory and constitutional law, including matters of national significance in the areas of voting rights and health rights of low-income and underserved individuals and families. In addition, he has counseled civic and non-profit organizations on a variety of matters.
Experience
- Benchmark Litigation – 40 & Under List – Dispute Resolution (2024)
- "The Path To Trial: A Nuts And Bolts Roadmap To Federal Civil Pretrial Submissions," The Circuit Rider (November 2018)
- Panelist, Chicago Bar Association, Federal Civil Practice Committee (April 3, 2018)
- "Supreme Court To Weigh In On The Scope Of Dodd-Frank Whistleblower Protection," Privacy And Cybersecurity Law Report, co-author (August 22, 2017)
- Lecturer, "Strategies For Preparing (And Winning) Your Next Commercial Arbitration Case," Chicago Bar Association, Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee (June 1, 2017)
Some of Skyler’s recent representations include*:
- Represented a leading chemical manufacturer in federal jury trial in New York relating to insurance coverage for environmental liabilities, leading to recovery of more than $100 million
- Successfully defeated breach of contract and fraud claims against an aerospace manufacturer in a $20 million international arbitration
- Represented a major financial services company in federal and state cases seeking recovery of over $95 million in alleged losses in securities lending program
- Represented a wireless telephone service provider in a commercial arbitration against a major telecommunications company involving breach of contract claims arising out of a complex rate dispute
- Represented a leading global insurance brokerage firm in employee raid and trade secret misappropriation cases in multiple jurisdictions, including at a California state court trial
- Represented a major international airline in connection with bribery investigations initiated by the U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission
- Represented a global retailer in a series of class action antitrust lawsuits
- Represented a real estate developer in a partnership dispute related to the development of a landmark Chicago office tower
*Skyler advised on some of these matters prior to joining Willkie.
Credentials
Education
UIC John Marshall Law School, J.D., 2012 Lawrence University, B.A., 2008
Bar Admissions
Court Admissions
United States Supreme Court, 2016 United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois, 2015 United States District Court, Central District of Illinois, 2019
Clerkships
Leinenweber, Harry D., United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois, 2014-2015 Maas, Frank, United States District Court, Southern District of New York, 2012-2013