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Lazar Raynal is an internationally recognized, preeminent trial lawyer and a proud Fellow of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers. Lazar provides legal counsel to clients on a wide array of fiduciary and complex commercial litigation, including patent cases, fiduciary disputes, breach of contract, fraud, long-term supply agreements, challenged business practices and management of litigation across U.S. and non-U.S. jurisdictions.

Lazar also has tried a variety of criminal cases and led numerous internal investigations for clients in response to governmental investigations and civil suits. He has also represented some of the wealthiest families and well-known private businesses in the world.

Lazar has been widely recognized for his representation of clients in various state and federal trial and appellate courts, and before dozens of arbitration panels throughout the United States by various leading publications. He enjoys trying cases and also is dedicated to assisting clients with strategic planning and resolving significant disputes.

Full Bio

Credentials

J.D., Notre Dame Law School, cum laude

B.S., University of Wisconsin

Illinois

Supreme Court of the United States

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin

U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

Chicago Inn of Court

Fellow, International Academy of Trial Lawyers

Pat Tillman Foundation

U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Federal Defender Program Panel

University of Notre Dame Law School, Dean’s Circle

Leading Lawyers In Illinois 2024: Civil Appellate Law


American Registry

Named by Best Lawyers in America in the category of Commercial Litigation (Chicago, IL)


Best Lawyers in America 2022

Named Local Litigation Star in the area of Commercial


Benchmark Litigation

Citywealth Leaders List, Leading Lawyer in North America


USA

Martindale Hubbell


AV rated

Top Rated Business Litigation Attorney in Chicago, IL


Super Lawyers Illinois, 2010 - 2013, 2015 - 2022

Named Fab Fifty Young Litigators


American Lawyer, 2007

Close

Recognition

Leading Lawyers In Illinois 2024: Civil Appellate Law


American Registry

Named by Best Lawyers in America in the category of Commercial Litigation (Chicago, IL)


Best Lawyers in America 2022

Named Local Litigation Star in the area of Commercial


Benchmark Litigation

Citywealth Leaders List, Leading Lawyer in North America


USA

Martindale Hubbell


AV rated

Top Rated Business Litigation Attorney in Chicago, IL


Super Lawyers Illinois, 2010 - 2013, 2015 - 2022

Named Fab Fifty Young Litigators


American Lawyer, 2007

Matters

Defended companies in class actions alleging violations of Biometric Privacy legislation.

Defended patent cases, including allegations of patent infringement and improper patent markings relating to medical and mechanical devices.

Served as lead trial counsel for complex business termination disputes and international arbitrations, including a jury trial for one of the largest liquor industry disputes for Diageo North America, defending against claims in excess of $200 million.

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Matters

Defended companies in class actions alleging violations of Biometric Privacy legislation.

Defended patent cases, including allegations of patent infringement and improper patent markings relating to medical and mechanical devices.

Served as lead trial counsel for complex business termination disputes and international arbitrations, including a jury trial for one of the largest liquor industry disputes for Diageo North America, defending against claims in excess of $200 million.

Served as lead trial counsel and secured a complete defense verdict on behalf of Celanese Corporation, a leading producer of chemicals and fibers, against breach of contract and fraud allegations seeking approximately $4 billion in damages.

Served as lead counsel in significant cases across California, including patent disputes, tax challenges, insurance coverage, trust and fiduciary litigation.

Represented the Board of Directors of FirstMerit Corp. in response to a class action lawsuit arising from the merger with Huntington Bancshares. The class action lawsuit was brought by FirstMerit shareholders who claimed the directors of FirstMerit agreed to unfair terms in the merger with Huntington.

Lead many trust restructurings and significant trust related disputes for large family businesses held in U.S. and foreign trusts, including representation of heiress Liesel Pritzker in widely publicized suit against trustees for breaches of fiduciary duty

Served as lead attorney for significant insurance industry investigations and coverage disputes, including winning judgment for Allianz Global Risks U.S. Insurance Company against a medical device manufacturer in a coverage dispute worth approximately $200 million, successfully defending various insurance companies in nationwide investigations and lawsuits related to business practices.

Represented Orbitz Worldwide in tax litigation in many various jurisdictions across the United States.

Matters

Defended companies in class actions alleging violations of Biometric Privacy legislation.

Defended patent cases, including allegations of patent infringement and improper patent markings relating to medical and mechanical devices.

Served as lead trial counsel for complex business termination disputes and international arbitrations, including a jury trial for one of the largest liquor industry disputes for Diageo North America, defending against claims in excess of $200 million.

See more

Close

Matters

Defended companies in class actions alleging violations of Biometric Privacy legislation.

Defended patent cases, including allegations of patent infringement and improper patent markings relating to medical and mechanical devices.

Served as lead trial counsel for complex business termination disputes and international arbitrations, including a jury trial for one of the largest liquor industry disputes for Diageo North America, defending against claims in excess of $200 million.

Served as lead trial counsel and secured a complete defense verdict on behalf of Celanese Corporation, a leading producer of chemicals and fibers, against breach of contract and fraud allegations seeking approximately $4 billion in damages.

Served as lead counsel in significant cases across California, including patent disputes, tax challenges, insurance coverage, trust and fiduciary litigation.

Represented the Board of Directors of FirstMerit Corp. in response to a class action lawsuit arising from the merger with Huntington Bancshares. The class action lawsuit was brought by FirstMerit shareholders who claimed the directors of FirstMerit agreed to unfair terms in the merger with Huntington.

Lead many trust restructurings and significant trust related disputes for large family businesses held in U.S. and foreign trusts, including representation of heiress Liesel Pritzker in widely publicized suit against trustees for breaches of fiduciary duty

Served as lead attorney for significant insurance industry investigations and coverage disputes, including winning judgment for Allianz Global Risks U.S. Insurance Company against a medical device manufacturer in a coverage dispute worth approximately $200 million, successfully defending various insurance companies in nationwide investigations and lawsuits related to business practices.

Represented Orbitz Worldwide in tax litigation in many various jurisdictions across the United States.

Credentials

J.D., Notre Dame Law School, cum laude

B.S., University of Wisconsin

Illinois

Supreme Court of the United States

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin

U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

Chicago Inn of Court

Fellow, International Academy of Trial Lawyers

Pat Tillman Foundation

U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Federal Defender Program Panel

University of Notre Dame Law School, Dean’s Circle

Leading Lawyers In Illinois 2024: Civil Appellate Law


American Registry

Named by Best Lawyers in America in the category of Commercial Litigation (Chicago, IL)


Best Lawyers in America 2022

Named Local Litigation Star in the area of Commercial


Benchmark Litigation

Citywealth Leaders List, Leading Lawyer in North America


USA

Martindale Hubbell


AV rated

Top Rated Business Litigation Attorney in Chicago, IL


Super Lawyers Illinois, 2010 - 2013, 2015 - 2022

Named Fab Fifty Young Litigators


American Lawyer, 2007

Close

Recognition

Leading Lawyers In Illinois 2024: Civil Appellate Law


American Registry

Named by Best Lawyers in America in the category of Commercial Litigation (Chicago, IL)


Best Lawyers in America 2022

Named Local Litigation Star in the area of Commercial


Benchmark Litigation

Citywealth Leaders List, Leading Lawyer in North America


USA

Martindale Hubbell


AV rated

Top Rated Business Litigation Attorney in Chicago, IL


Super Lawyers Illinois, 2010 - 2013, 2015 - 2022

Named Fab Fifty Young Litigators


American Lawyer, 2007