Trial lawyer Jerry Santangelo has extensive experience representing major financial institutions, securities broker-dealers, RIAs, financial advisors, and individual investors in federal and state courts and arbitration proceedings. He has won many multimillion-dollar cases in courts across the nation and personally has tried nearly 100 securities industry arbitrations to final judgment.
Few lawyers have Jerry’s level of experience in handling securities industry arbitrations for investors, securities broker-dealers, investment advisers, and wealth management firms.
Jerry has also served as lead trial counsel in numerous complex commercial disputes, including in cases where he has secured some of the largest damage awards in “raiding” disputes. Further, he is exceptional at trying emergency injunction actions having handled such actions in more than 50 different federal and state courts in cases primarily involving disputes over restrictive covenants and confidential/trade secret information.
Combining knowledge, experience, and wisdom, Jerry works hard for his clients always striving to resolve their disputes favorably, efficiently, and effectively.
Jerry began his career at Sperling Slater (now Sperling Kenny Nachwalter), returning in 2018 after a 30-year detour at Neal, Gerber and Eisenberg, where he helped build that firm’s full-service capabilities.
Representative Matters
Successfully defended the largest agricultural exporter of containers facing hedge to arrive claims under the Commodity Exchange Act and in a major action against Syngenta over the premature commercialization of a new genetically modified seed.
Secured a multimillion-dollar settlement in an elderly financial exploitation case.
Won several of the largest ever so-called “ raiding “ arbitration awards.
Successfully represented Citigroup Global Markets, Smith Barney, and Jack Grubman in several multiweek arbitrations throughout the country involving conflicts of interest allegations and research analyst reports-related fraud claims relating to WorldCom, Level 3, Global Crossing, and McGraw Cellular, among others.
Defended Smith Barney, Morgan Stanley, and JPMorgan Chase & Co. in major litigations, arbitrations, and other proceedings arising from the 2007-2009 financial crisis, including the collapse of the auction rate securities market.
Education
J.D., DePaul University, 1984
- Lead Articles Editor, DePaul Law Review
B.S., Miami University and Miami University Farmer School of Business, 1981
Bar Admissions
- Illinois
- U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
- U.S. Courts of Appeals for the District of Columbia
- U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
- Trial Bar, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
