Matt Kramer is a litigator and counselor that brings a unique combination of private-practice and in-house experience to Actuate Law.
He spent the first 10 years of his career as a litigator at a Chicago law firm, where he represented clients as plaintiffs and defendants in a wide range of commercial disputes in state and federal courts, as well as in arbitration proceedings, all over the country. He litigated numerous cases involving trade secrets, unfair competition, and breaches of restrictive covenants in employment agreements, including many cases that involved requests for preliminary injunctive relief and temporary restraining orders. He also represented clients in shareholder and derivative matters, product liability suits, intellectual property litigation, disputes arising under the Uniform Commercial Code, and numerous cases involving the breach of complex commercial agreements.
In 2015, Matt became the Assistant General Counsel for Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches in Champaign, Illinois, managing all outside litigation for the company. Partnering with outside counsel to develop the strategic direction for cases – and overseeing them internally – Matt helped secure significant victories for the company in several litigation matters, including with respect to the issues of joint employment and vicarious liability. Matt also advised internal clients on issues implicating a diverse range of subject matters, including franchise law and franchise relations; HR and employment; marketing and advertising; federal, state, and local regulations applicable to the business; negotiation of vendor agreements; and intellectual property.
Education
J.D., University of Illinois College of Law, magna cum laude, 2004
B.S., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, with honors, 2001
Admissions
Illinois
Community Involvement
• Eastern Illinois Foodbank, Member and Vice-Chair, 2019-2021
• University of Illinois College of Law – Moot Court Judge, 2016-2021
Representative Matters
Secured a victory after a four-day bench trial in federal court on behalf of a large national insurance-brokerage firm on claims against a former executive arising out of breaches of the executive’s non-compete agreement. The court awarded $1.9 million in attorneys’ fees, imposed an extended injunction against the defendant, found both the defendant and his colleague in contempt of court for multiple violations of the court’s preliminary injunction order, and referred both the defendant and his colleague to the United States Attorney’s office for investigation into possible criminal perjury charges.
Achieved substantial victory for an insurance-brokerage client after contentious two-week arbitration proceeding, where the plaintiff insurance carrier had sought in excess of $100 million in damages arising out of our client’s service as the carrier’s managing general agent.
Obtained dismissal of a federal derivative lawsuit against the CEO and Chairman of a healthcare company, in a case involving a novel legal question about a plaintiff’s standing to pursue “double-derivative” claims.
Defended insurance-brokerage client against vexatious litigation in an employment matter, resulting in imposition of nearly $40,000 in sanctions.
Defeated a motion for preliminary injunction brought by a large information-services company in the insurance industry against our client and his new employer, helping to facilitate a favorable settlement.
Successfully opposed summary judgment against an insurer in a duty-to-defend case, resulting in continued coverage for the client in the underlying personal-injury dispute.
Successfully represented one of the country’s largest railway companies in an arbitration before the National Grain and Feed Association in a breach-of-contract dispute with a shipper
