Partner

Leader of the Antitrust Financial Services and Insurance industry team; Co-leader of the Banking and Finance Litigation group

Thomas V. Panoff

Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Antitrust & Competition, Banking & Finance Litigation

Overview

Tom Panoff focuses his practice on complex commercial litigation involving financial services and fintech companies, antitrust matters and other high-stakes commercial cases. He practices before trial and appellate courts around the country, having litigated matters in over 30 states and approximately half of the 94 US district courts. Tom also frequently conducts internal investigations for companies and boards of directors, as well as handles investigations by federal and state regulators. In addition, Tom regularly counsels clients on corporate governance and advises alternative investment funds on evaluating litigation exposure for assets.

Experience

  • Advised numerous FinTech companies on complex litigation, regulatory compliance and strategic initiatives.
  • Represented RMBS participants in various multi-million dollar litigation matters, including repurchase disputes, indemnification demands and challenges to the securitization process.
  • Represented leading investment banks, mortgage lenders and securitization trusts in numerous cases around the country challenging the use of Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems (MERS).
    • Representative Opinions: State of Ohio ex rel. Flaiz v. MERSCORP, Inc., --- N.E.3d --- (Ohio Ct. App. 2017); MERSCORP, Inc. v. Delaware County, PA, 160 A.3d 961 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2017); Kubic v. MERSCORP Holdings, Inc., 785 S.E.2d 595 (S.C. 2016); Boyd County ex rel. Hedrick v. MERSCORP Inc., 614 F. App’x 818 (6th Cir. 2015); Welborn v. Bank of N.Y. Mellon Corp., 557 F. App’x 383 (5th Cir. 2014); County of Ramsey v. MERSCORP Holdings, Inc., 776 F.3d 947 (8th Cir. 2014); Plymouth County, Iowa v. MERSCORP, Inc., 774 F.3d 1155 (8th Cir. 2014); Macon County, Ill. v. MERSCORP, Inc., 742 F.3d 711 (7th Cir. 2014); In re: Mortg. Elec. Registration Sys., 754 F.3d 772 (9th Cir. 2014); Union County, Ill. v. MERSCORP, Inc., 735 F.3d 730 (7th Cir. 2013); Brown v. MERS, Inc., 738 F.3d 926 (8th Cir. 2013); Town of Johnston, R.I. v. MERSCORP, Inc., 950 F.Supp. 2d 379 (D.R.I. 2013); Jackson County, Mo. v. MERSCORP, Inc., 915 F. Supp. 2d 1064 (W.D. Mo. 2013); Christian County Clerk v. Mortg. Elec. Registration Sys., Inc., 515 Fed. App’x. 451 (6th Cir. 2013); State of Cal., ex rel. Bates v. Mortg. Elec. Registration Sys., Inc., et al., 694 F.3d 1076 (9th Cir. 2012); Cervantes v. Countrywide Home Loans, Inc., 656 F.3d 1034 (9th Cir. 2011); Trevino v. MERSCORP, Inc.et al., 583 F. Supp. 2d 521 (D. Del. 2008).

Education

  • University of Cambridge, LLM, UK & EU commercial law
  • Harvard Law School, JD
    Supervising Editor, Harvard Journal on Legislation
  • Harvard Business School, John F. Kennedy School of Government
    (graduate coursework during law school)
  • University of Michigan, BBA, high distinction
    Phi Beta Kappa, Beta Gamma Sigma

Admissions

  • Illinois
  • Michigan
  • District of Columbia

Courts

  • US District Court for the Central District of Illinois
  • US District Court for the Southern District of Illinois
  • US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
  • US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
  • US District Court for the Northern District of Indiana
  • US District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
  • US District Court for the Western District of Michigan
  • US District Court for the District of Columbia
  • US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
  • US District Court for the Northern District of Texas
  • US District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin
  • US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
  • US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
  • US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
  • US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
  • US Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
  • US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
  • US Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
  • US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

Professional & Community Involvement

  • Board of Directors, Chicago Bar Foundation
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