Steven Blonder of Much Shelist, P.C. is a distinguished trial lawyer with extensive experience across a diverse range of industries, including gaming, consumer packaged goods, financial services, insurance, and real estate. He represents major clients, such as Barilla and Vitafoods, and regularly handles high-stakes cases.
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Phone
312.521.2402
Email
Profile
Social

Accolades

Chicago Elite

Profile

Work Department

Commercial Litigation

Position

Principal, Management Committee Member, Much Community Chair

Career

Steve is a valued legal and business counselor who focuses on complex business litigation. Steve has argued successfully before the federal and state appellate courts as well as the Illinois Supreme Court. He possesses a record of success in motion and trial practice in state and federal courts and in arbitration. His clients range from Fortune 500 companies and government entities to small businesses and entrepreneurs in a variety of industries, including gaming, consumer packaged goods, financial services, insurance, and real estate. He has represented a market-leading food company for more than five years, advising on labeling claims, class action defense, consumer claims, Prop 65, and slack fill issues. As a strategic counselor, Steve learns the economic, financial, and human drivers affecting a client’s business. He helps them identify and overcome obstacles and design plans to accomplish their business objectives. Drawing on his skills as a litigator, he solves problems related to class action defense, corporate governance and control, securities, insurance, real estate, regulatory compliance, and other business issues. In addition, Steve serves as the first line of defense for clients responding to inquiries from state attorneys general and in qui tam litigation, with experience representing clients before state and federal regulatory and governmental bodies. He also leads internal investigations regarding alleged corporate misconduct and represents parties in trust disputes and other probate matters. Steve, chair of the firm's social responsibility initiative Much Community, is always on the lookout for ways to impact law reform. Most recently, he filed an amicus brief in the Supreme Court of Louisiana arguing defendants convicted by Jim Crow juries have been denied their constitutional rights. He is driven to stand up for those who have no one else to speak for them. As a member of Much's Management Committee, Steve focuses on growing the next generation of attorneys and instilling that same drive to make a difference.

Languages

English

Memberships

  • American Bar Association
  • Illinois State Bar Association
  • Chicago Bar Association
  • American Bar Foundation, Life Fellow

Education

  • University of Chicago Law School, J.D., 1993
  • University of Michigan, B.A., Sociology and History, with Distinction and Honors, 1990

Content supplied by Much Shelist, P.C.

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'Steve Blonder is a top-notch attorney, great judgment, diligent and responsive. One of the best in Chicago.'

Key clients

  • Accel Entertainment Inc.
  • Barilla America Inc.
  • Cinespace Film Studios
  • City of Chicago
  • Cooper Foods International
  • Goldwind USA
  • Highland Baking Company
  • Kingsley Management Corp.
  • Royal Management Corp.
  • Velsicol Chemical LLC
  • Villa Healthcare
  • Vita Food Products

Work highlights

  • Representing Goldwind USA in a lawsuit over delaying a Panamanian solar project, with an appeal pending after a favorable summary judgment.
  • Representing Accel Entertainment in a lawsuit where a former consultant seeks $10-20m in stock options, despite never becoming a full-time employee, with Accel counterclaiming for breach of agreement.
  • Representing Kingsley Management in a nationwide antitrust case alleging price-fixing of mobile home rental rates, with a motion to dismiss pending and potential damages in the eight or nine figures.