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Joseph L. Hoolihan

Principal

Joseph L. Hoolihan photo
D: 312.201.3854
joseph.hoolihan@goldbergkohn.com

Overview

Joseph Hoolihan is a Principal in the firm's Litigation group. He represents plaintiffs and defendants in high-stakes commercial litigation in state and federal courts across the country. Joe has experience in all phases of litigation. He represents clients in class action, product liability, false advertising, False Claims Act, fraud, civil conspiracy, breach of fiduciary duty, data breach, bankruptcy, intellectual property, and breach of contract disputes.

Having spent significant time representing both plaintiffs and defendants in complex commercial cases, Joe has a unique ability to analyze and assess each side's position in a nuanced, comprehensive way and to craft adept legal strategies as a result. 

Among his accolades, since 2023 Joe has been recognized annually as One to Watch in the area of Commercial Litigation by The Best Lawyers in America®.

Joe joined Goldberg Kohn in October 2017. Within the firm, he serves as Chair of the Recruiting Committee, a member of the Business Development and Innovation committees, and on the GK Foundation Board of Directors.

Joe attended Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, where he was a member the school's Bartlit Center Trial Team.

Experience

  • Defending haircare and personal products manufacturer and distributor in multi-district, class-action litigation regarding false advertising and product liability claims.
  • Defending trucking and logistics company in alleged data breach class action pending in Illinois state court.
  • Representing sports agency asserting claims for breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty against former sports agent and all-star athlete in an arbitration matter.
  • Representing lender to pursue claims arising from a multi-billion dollar, international Ponzi scheme.
  • Representing advertising company against municipal corporation in a fraud and breach-of-contract matter involving alleged, eight-figure damages.
  • Represented plaintiff against its former employee and the employee’s co-conspirators to assert civil fraud and conspiracy claims.
  • Represented one of the world’s largest international banks against lender liability claims in bankruptcy.
  • Represented FCA whistleblowers in non-intervened litigation against defense contractor, helping to obtain a settlement of $108.75 million, the largest settlement ever obtained in connection with Iraq War fraud.
  • Represented FCA whistleblower against a hospital system and physicians group, helping to obtain a settlement of $10 million.

Credentials

Education

  • Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, J.D., 2015

    – cum laude

  • University of Colorado Boulder, B.A., Political Science, 2012

Admissions

  • Illinois (2015)
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois