Kenneth S. Ulrich

Kenneth S. Ulrich is a Principal in the firm's Litigation Group. He represents clients in complex commercial litigation, including directors' and officers' liability and related insurance coverage issues, insurance coverage work for policyholders, breach of contract, fraud, and constitutional and government litigation.

He has represented publishing companies, manufacturing companies, banks, private equity and venture capital firms and other financial institutions, government entities, professional sports agents, and a variety of start-up enterprises. In addition, he has served as outside general counsel for a consumer goods manufacturer, supervising all legal matters, including contracts, trademark and employment issues. In this role, he actively supervised outside counsel in numerous jurisdictions.

Mr. Ulrich has written and lectured on issues related to insurance coverage, directors' and officers' liability, limitations of liability and alternative dispute resolution.

Among his accolades, Mr. Ulrich is recognized as a "Best Lawyer" in the area of Commercial Litigation in Best Lawyers in America (2024 Edition). Since 2020, he has been recognized annually as a Leading Lawyer in the areas of Commercial Litigation, Directors & Officers Liability Law, and Insurance Coverage by Illinois Leading Lawyers.

Professional Background

Throughout his years with the firm, Mr. Ulrich has served as Chair of the Litigation Department, member of the Management and Compensation committees, Chair of the Professional Responsibility Committee and as Administrative Partner.

By appointment of the Illinois Insurance Commissioner, Mr. Ulrich served as one of two public directors of the Illinois Life and Health Guaranty Association. He also served as a member of the Legal Advisory Board of World Business Chicago.

Representative Matters

• Represented Cook County in connection with enforceability of County tobacco tax.
• Defended Cook County in connection with litigation regarding compliance with the Safe Roads Amendment to the Illinois Constitution.
• Defended Independent Managers of Delaware LLC in breach of fiduciary duty claim brought by Trustee in Fontainebleau Las Vegas bankruptcy.
• Served as an advisor to independent managers of bankruptcy special purpose entities.
• Obtained multimillion-dollar business interruption recovery for owner of television station damaged by Hurricane Katrina.
• Defended insurance brokerage firms in class action lawsuits involving attacks on the use of contingent commissions.
• Served as national claims counsel to world's largest Registered Agent.
• Defended publishing company in a jury trial concerning software development.
• Defended private equity firm in a dispute regarding allocation of residual profits and investment rights.
• Prosecuted securities fraud matter involving claims of failure to disclose material facts in connection with the sale of a business in the sports industry.
• Defended group of Iowa grain cooperatives in a lawsuit alleging fraud and violations of the Commodity Exchange Act.
• Defended publishing company in a commercial disparagement lawsuit brought by a competitor.
• Represented finance company in a negligence lawsuit against an appraiser of manufacturing equipment.
• Represented Mexican sales representative of a large domestic manufacturing company in connection with a dispute regarding 10 years of commissions for sale of locomotives and diesel engines.
• Represented independent director in lawsuit arising out of Hawaii real estate development.
• Defended bank in fraudulent conveyance action arising out of leveraged buyout of trucking company.
• Obtained early dismissal of outside director in the Republic Windows & Doors bankruptcy.