PAUL E. VEITH leads the Software and Trade Secret practice within the Litigation Group in Sidley’s Chicago office, which he joined in 1990. Paul is a versatile commercial litigator who handles a broad range of complex commercial disputes representing both defendants and plaintiffs, with a focus in recent years on software implementation disputes and trade secret disputes (software-related and otherwise).
Representative matters include:
- Represented a national insurance company in an arbitration against a Fortune 500 software vendor arising out of a dispute concerning the failed implementation of critical policy administration and billing software, winning an arbitration award in excess of $140 million.
- Represented a wireless telecommunications provider in a dispute with a long-term vendor concerning the parties’ respect rights and responsibilities following termination of their relationship.
- Represented a major advisory services firm in defense of claims arising out of complex implementation of an ERP system.
- Advised a regional insurance company relating to efforts to recover its investment in a terminated software implementation project.
- Advised a financial services firm in navigating the termination of an underperforming systems integrator on an in-progress software implementation engagement.
- Represented a registered investment adviser in a breach of contract and trade secret misappropriation dispute with a former software vendor alleging that the client misappropriated trade secrets and reverse engineered software in developing a competing system.
- Represented a North American gypsum wallboard manufacturer in litigation concerning allegations that it had misappropriated trade secrets from and infringed patents of a market-leading competitor.
- Represented a sports-marketing and television production company in successfully asserting its right to use the “March Madness” trademark in connection with certain programming, leading to lucrative sale of the client’s rights.
Paul has substantial experience trying cases before state and federal courts, as well as arbitrators:
- As noted above, served as lead counsel in multi-week arbitration proceeding in insurance software implementation failure matter that led to $140+ million award.
- Served as trial counsel for a large Japanese company in a five-week trial in federal court in New York City defending claims of trade secret misappropriation, unfair competition and tortious interference relating to databases of information about Japanese corporations.
- Served as lead counsel for an internet service provider concerning consumer fraud claims relating to its advertising regarding service levels.
- Served as solo trial counsel for a major newspaper defending claims for breach of contract regarding the paper’s rejection of submitted advertising.
- Served as trial counsel for quick service restaurant chain in a three-week trial in federal court in Michigan defending a claim that client had misappropriated ideas for a popular advertising campaign; the case involved extensive motion practice and an appeal related to copyright preemption issues.
- Served as counsel at evidentiary hearing on motion for preliminary injunction relating to client toy manufacturer’s attempt to enjoin use of its property as a promotional item by a major restaurant chain.
- Served as lead counsel at evidentiary hearing on motion for preliminary injunction, defending client’s operation of Advanced Deposit Wagering business against owners of a rival service who claimed breach of contract and trade secret misappropriation.
- Served as lead counsel and argued at all stages, through appeal, on behalf of a large commercial bakery in connection with a dispute involving a requirements contract with a contract baker.
Over the course of his career, Paul has also represented investment data and investment advisory service providers, wireless telecommunications providers, internet service providers, medical device manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, insurance brokerages, banks and companies in many other industries. Paul has represented corporate clients in post-transaction disputes concerning requests for indemnification and the release of escrowed funds, and has repeatedly litigated claims of breach of contract, conspiracy, defamation, fraud, and breach of fiduciary duty, among other subjects. Paul has extensive experience working with expert witnesses, particularly on matters relating to the calculation of damages in intellectual property cases.
Paul was named a Client Service All-Star by BTI Consulting in 2013. He served in a leadership role on the firm’s Committee on Summer Associate Programs for more than a decade, and remains active in the firm’s training of litigation associates.
Paul has regularly taken on pro bono representations for individuals and organizations, including veterans, incarcerated persons asserting a violation of civil rights, indigent federal court plaintiffs, and victims of hate crimes.
A native of Chicago, Paul graduated with high honors and Bronze Tablet recognition from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a B.S. in Journalism in 1987, and graduated cum laude from Harvard Law School in 1990.
Paul previously served on the Board of Directors of the Neighborhood Boys and Girls Club in Chicago, as the chair of the caucus that slates candidates for public office in the suburb in which he currently resides, and frequently as a volunteer youth baseball and basketball coach.