Rodney Perry

 Clerkships

Hon. Catherine D. Perry, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri (1998-2000)

Representative Engagements – Real Estate/Construction Litigation

• Represented a community college system in parallel arbitration and litigation proceedings against the general contractor and design team, respectively, arising out of defective construction in the elevator and storm water detention systems at one of the client’s college campuses. Obtained a significant award for the client in the arbitration, and a favorable settlement in the litigation matter.
• Represented a Fortune 500 manufacturing company in high-stakes litigation involving property rights issues, disputes regarding railroad easements, and complex federal preemption issues under the statutory framework governing railroad transportation; obtained summary judgment in circuit court and affirmance on appeal.
• Obtained a $3.2 million jury verdict as lead trial counsel for the owner of a commercial office building in a dispute with the developer and contractor related to various construction defect claims, including structural defects in the exterior walls, basement, garage, and elevator shaft of the building.
• Defeated in trial court and on appeal in various cases claims against a national retail developer in litigation arising out of zoning, permitting, and land use disputes related to multi-million-dollar development projects.
• Obtained summary judgment for a cell tower ground lease management provider in litigation involving its purchase of easement rights to a cellular transmission tower site and a competitor’s claim of a right of first refusal to purchase the property based on its existing lease of the site.
• Obtained favorable resolutions on behalf of a national retail chain in various disputes arising from the client’s early termination of leases due to store closings.
• Served as lead trial counsel for a lender in a trial in U.S. Bankruptcy Court involving the debtor's objections to the lender's proof of claim related to a multi-million loan secured by a retail shopping center.
• Obtained a directed finding in a bench trial for a retail store operator in a trial involving claims of public and private nuisance arising from the development of a shopping center near a residential area.
• Represented various financial institutions in commercial foreclosure matters, guaranty enforcement litigation, and bankruptcy litigation related to a retail shopping center development, hotel chain development, and a multi-family residential development.

Representative Engagements – Consumer Litigation

• Managed consumer financial services litigation in a multi-state area for a major banking institution and its affiliates, obtaining countless early dismissals, summary judgments, appellate victories (including after oral argument), and favorable settlements.
• Obtained dismissal of a putative class action asserting against a national banking institution claims for violations of various consumer protection laws, including the Stored Communications Act (SCA), the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA), and the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act (ICFA).
• Obtained a favorable settlement for a global banking institution in a putative class action asserting claims for violations of the Illinois Mortgage Act, breach of contract, and quiet title.
• Obtained a favorable settlement and pre-litigation resolution for an American media conglomerate in putative class actions alleging violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), the Illinois Prizes and Gift Act, the Illinois Telephone Solicitations Act, and asserting common law claims arising from text messaging and other telephone marketing practices related to the client’s publications.
• Defeated consumer fraud claims in an arbitration proceeding for a national financial services company.

Representative Engagements – Employment Litigation

• Served as outside employment litigation counsel for a 15-state area for a national telecommunications company, securing many early dismissals, summary judgments, and favorable settlements.
• Represented a global integrated logistics company in employment litigation matters, including numerous favorable settlements and dismissals, and provided counseling involving a myriad of labor and employment issues throughout the U.S.
• Obtained dismissal on behalf of a client in a putative class action arbitration alleging violations of the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) arising out the client’s use of fingerprint-scanning timekeeping devices for employees to clock-in and clock-out; negotiated a favorable settlement after the named plaintiff re-filed the case as an individual arbitration. Obtained a favorable settlement on behalf of the client in a second arbitration alleging violations of BIPA arising out the client’s timekeeping devices.
• Obtained dismissal with prejudice of qui tam (i.e., whistleblower) claims brought under the False Claims Act (FCA) and the Illinois False Claims Act (IFCA) by a former employee against one of the nation’s largest public school districts.
• Secured numerous early dismissals, summary judgments, and favorable settlements for a retail supermarket and pharmacy chain in various cases alleging employment discrimination and wage and hour violations.
• Obtained favorable results on behalf of a national food manufacturing company in various cases asserting employment discrimination claims.
• Successfully defended a financial services company in broker/dealer arbitration proceedings involving a variety of employment claims before the regulatory authority.
• Obtained a directed verdict in a jury trial involving wrongful termination claims.

Representative Engagements – Other Commercial Litigation

• Successfully defended a manufacturer of commercial-grade window coverings against claims of breach of express and implied warranties under the Illinois Uniform Commercial Code (UCC).
• Obtained a judgment of non-dischargeability of debt as lead trial counsel for a creditor in U.S. Bankruptcy Court.
• Worked as part of a trial team that obtained a record jury verdict in a breach of contract action.

Education

Washington University, J.D., 1998, Managing Editor, Washington University Journal of Urban and Contemporary Law
Tennessee State University, B.A., 1994

Bar Admissions

Illinois
Missouri
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (Trial Bar)
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri

Professional Memberships

American Bar Association
National Bar Association
Chicago Bar Association
Cook County Bar Association
Illinois State Bar Association
Section of Antitrust & Unfair Competition
Newsletter Editor (2015-2016)

Honors & Awards

Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America, Lawdragon Inc. (2023-2024)
Chicago’s Notable Black Leaders and Executives, Crain’s Chicago Business (2022)
Chicago’s Notable Minorities in Law, Crain’s Chicago Business (2020)
Illinois Leading Lawyer in Class Action/Mass Tort Defense Law, Commercial Litigation, and Employment Law: Management, Law Bulletin Media Leading Lawyers (2018-2024)
Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD), Fellow (2015-2016)

Civic and Charitable Memberships