50 East Washington Street
Suite 400
Chicago, IL 60602
Bruce Doughty represents companies, executives, and investors in complex commercial disputes and high-stakes business situations where litigation risk, regulatory exposure, and operational decisions intersect. With more than 35 years of experience, he serves as lead or strategic counsel in matters that require both courtroom advocacy and practical business judgment. He is particularly expert in pre-litigation counseling, helping clients assess risks and benefits, make informed business decisions, protect assets, and resolve disputes efficiently before they reach the courthouse.
Bruce has litigated in federal and state courts and before administrative agencies across a wide range of industries, including financial services, technology, pharmaceuticals, consumer finance, healthcare, energy, and telecommunications. His work involves trade secrets, money laundering, restrictive covenants, antitrust, insurance coverage, fraud, credit card fees, constitutional claims, tax, class actions, and other business-critical disputes.
Bruce also advises clients in high-risk, time-sensitive situations, including internal investigations, regulatory inquiries, and crisis response. Working closely with senior leadership and private equity sponsors, he helps assess exposure, manage sensitive issues, and navigate decisions that carry significant legal and business consequences.
Bruce received his J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School, where he was awarded the Joseph Henry Beale Prize for excellence in writing and was a member of the University of Chicago Legal Forum. He was a Rotary Scholar at the University of Hong Kong, where he taught political science, and earned his A.B., with honors, from Princeton University.
Representative Matters
- Representing a consumer financing company in multi-forum contract and reinsurance litigation, securing a $35 million stipulated judgment on the eve of trial, as well as a $40 million arbitration award.
- Represented JPMorgan Chase in high-profile litigation arising from claims by Epstein victims and the U.S. Virgin Islands, resolving matters on confidential terms shortly before trial.
- Representing a global pharmaceutical manufacturer in antitrust actions within a major multidistrict litigation, managing motion practice, discovery, and litigation strategy.
- Represented a national professional association in trade secret litigation, defeating emergency relief, securing dismissal of key claims, and resolving the matter through settlement.
- Represented telecommunications company in securing a $6.49 million jury verdict after a month-long trial involving consumer protection and breach of contract claims.
- Represented dozens of insurers in an Illinois Supreme Court case invalidating a tax on premiums, followed by a multi-party settlement.
- Represented JPMorgan Chase in multi-million dollar fraud action brought by a former banker tied to alleged misconduct by his CFO; defeated summary judgment and achieved a favorable settlement on confidential terms.
- Represented a Fortune 500 healthcare company in litigation regarding restrictive covenants and trade secrets, successfully resolving case on confidential terms prior to close of discovery.
- Represented software services company against John Deere in action involving disputed software implementation, successfully resolving case on confidential terms prior to oral discovery.
Education
- The University of Chicago Law School, J.D. (1990)
- Princeton University, A.B., with honors (1985)
Admissions
• Illinois
Community Service
- Board of Education, Glenbrook High School District 225: President (2019–2025), Vice President (2017–2019), Board Member (2012–2017)
- Governing Board, TrueNorth Educational Cooperative: Board Member (2021–2025)
- Community Relations Commission, Village of Northbrook: Chairperson (2015–2021), Commissioner (2009–2015)