Ross J. Corbett
Senior Counsel
Ross has extensive experience leading case teams in high-stakes complex commercial litigation and class action defense in federal and state courts across the country. Clients also consult him when conducting M&A due diligence for his expertise in consumer advertising litigation.
Ross has defended professionals against claims of negligence and fraud, financial institutions accused of discrimination and consumer fraud, and consumer goods companies against challenges to their product labels. When his clients have been wronged, he has vigorously pursued litigation to enforce their contractual rights. Ross has also assisted clients targeted by government investigations.
Ross joined Esbrook P.C. after almost nine years at Winston & Strawn LLP. He previously clerked for Hon. Milton Shadur in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. He has been recognized by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch and Super Lawyers: Rising Stars. A former university professor, clients trust him to present complex ideas with clarity.
Selected Commercial Litigation
- Representation of a pet supply company seeking indemnification in Illinois state court for breached representations and warranties related to taxes and financial statements following a business acquisition.
- Defense of a financial consulting firm sued by investors challenging a merger for which it had prepared a fairness opinion.
- Defense in federal district and appellate court of a financial consulting firm sued by a former client over a third party’s alleged violation of a nondisclosure agreement during M&A due diligence.
- Defense of a municipality sued by the Department of Justice and a sober living home operator alleging violation of the Fair Housing Act and Americans with Disabilities Act.
- Representation of electronic gambling licensees in bringing a constitutional and administrative law challenge to state regulations in Illinois state and appellate court.
Selected Class Action Litigation
- Defense of a major dietary supplement manufacturer in a series of putative consumer fraud class actions in federal district and appellate court concerning the labeling on its biotin products.
- Defense of a major dietary supplement manufacturer in a putative consumer fraud and warranty class action concerning the hypericin content of its St. John’s Wort products.
- Defense of a national bank in several consolidated putative class actions alleging discrimination in its home mortgage lending practices.
- Defense of a national bank in several putative class actions in federal district and appellate courts concerning allegations of consumer fraud, unconscionability, and breach of contract in connection with overdraft fees.
- Defense of a national bank in a putative class action by a depositor alleging discrimination arising from the bank’s sanctions compliance programs.
- Defense of a hospital in a putative consumer fraud class action concerning its Medicare billing practices.
Selected Professional Misconduct Litigation
- Defense of a commercial real estate broker against accused of fraud in connection with representations made by the seller in a sale-leaseback transaction.
- Defense of an audit firm sued by several banks in Florida state court for professional negligence and fraud in connection with its audit reports on a borrower that later went bankrupt.
- Defense of an audit firm sued by investors in a lender to a for-profit education company under state “blue sky” securities laws in related federal and Oregon state cases.
Selected Investigative Matters
- Representation of a major technology firm in investigating and bringing claims against individuals and businesses that collected payments on behalf of an international criminal network targeting its customers.
- Representation of business served with investigative demands served by the Chicago Board of Ethics and Office of the Inspector General concerning lobbying activities.