CHAD SCHAFER is a partner in Sidley’s Chicago office. Chad has handled a diverse range of civil litigation matters in both state and federal courts. His concentrations include prosecuting and defending both trade secrets and tax liability claims, class action defense – focusing on consumer fraud actions, mass tort actions, and federal statutory violations, as well as defending a variety of breach of contract claims.

Chad has represented both individuals and corporations in a variety of tax controversies throughout Illinois, including successfully prosecuting the Hartney Fuel Oil Company’s refund claim at trial, and on appeal in the Illinois Appellate Court and Illinois Supreme Court, in Hartney Fuel Oil Co. v. Department of Revenue, 2013 IL 115130 (Ill. Nov. 21, 2013).

Chad also has significant experience conducting a variety of corporate internal investigations. He has defended pharmaceutical product liability and consumer fraud class actions, both at the trial level and on appeal, and in conjunction with national Federal Multi-District Litigation. Chad served as counsel for Bayer Corporation in Jensen v. Bayer, 371 Ill. App. 3d 682, 862 N.E.2d 1091 (1st Dist. 2007), and in De Bouse v. Bayer, 235 Ill. 2d 544 (2009), a victory in the Illinois Supreme Court that was named the third most significant product liability decision of 2009 by Drug and Device Law.

Chad also has represented banks and other financial institutions against claims of securities fraud, violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, as well as breaches of significant contracts in federal courts throughout the country, and represented companies in significant antitrust litigation in federal court.

Chad has an active pro bono practice, primarily representing indigent individuals in both civil and criminal matters.

Chad received his A.B. in Psychology from Stanford University in 2000 and his Juris Doctor from the University of Chicago in 2003. Chad was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 2003.