icon on “I am a trial lawyer with an emphasis on prosecuting and defending business disputes.”
Mr. Ambrose has represented clients in a wide array of complex disputes, including cases involving class action securities litigation, director and officer defense, errors and omissions, consumer fraud, trademark counterfeiting and infringement, FDIC claims against former bank directors and officers, broker liability, employment discrimination and wrongful termination, patent infringement, products liability, construction defect, and environmental matters. Mr. Ambrose has practiced before numerous federal and state trial courts in arbitration proceedings and at the appellate court level.
Services
Business Litigation
In courtrooms, agencies, and tribunals across the country, we pursue our clients’ interests–both cost-effectively and with positive results.
Credentials
Education
- The John Marshall Law School, 1997
- J.D
- Marquette University, 1991
- B.A., Economics
Memberships
- Illinois State Bar Association
- Chicago Bar Association
- Fenwick Bar Association
Admissions
- Illinois, 1997
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
- Trial Bar, 2007
- General Bar, 1997
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit, 1998
Professional Achievements
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
- Chief Judge Boyce F. Martin, Jr., Judicial Clerk
Experience
Representative Matters
- Represented former directors and officers of First United Bank in an action brought by the FDIC alleging negligence, gross negligence, and breach of fiduciary duty. Specifically, the FDIC alleged that our clients acted tortiously in approving ten loans made by the bank before it closed. Following mediation, we settled the matter on behalf of our clients without any of them contributing personal assets. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation as Receiver for First United Bank v. Borowski et al., N.D. Ill., 16-CV-06250.
Represented former directors and officers of Midwest Bank in an action brought by the FDIC against our clients individually after the bank failed. The FDIC sought recovery of $62MM in connection with loans which the bank made to six borrowers and affiliated parties, and $66MM with respect to certain investments the bank made in government secured assets, which the FDIC claimed the bank held until the assets had lost most of their value. We successfully settled the matter without the individual directors and officers contributing any of their personal assets. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation as Receiver for Midwest Bank and Trust Company v. Giancola et. al., N.D. Ill, 13-CV-03230.
- Represented an insurance broker, Brown & Brown, Inc. in a third-party action brought by United General Title Insurance Company and First American Title Insurance Company against Fiserv. In that action, First American Title alleged that Fiserv committed certain errors and omissions in rendering its information management services. Fiserv tendered the claim to Westchester Fire Insurance Company, who had issued the primary insurance policy in 2009-2010. Although Westchester initially represented that it would defend Fiserv, it later refused to do so, maintaining that those underlying claims applied instead to the 2008-2009 insurance policy which was issued by another company. Fiserv brought a declaratory action arguing that Westchester’s position that the 2008-2009 policies should apply was in bad faith. We successfully settled the matter. Fiserv Solutions, Inc. v. Westchester Fire Ins. Co., et al., E.D. Wis. 2:11-CV-00603-CNC.
Represented a former director of Broadway Bank in an action brought by the FDIC alleging that the approval of 20 loans by former directors and officers of the bank was grossly negligent and in breach of their fiduciary duties. The FDIC sought damages in excess of $115MM. We successfully defended our client under the Business Judgment Rule, and obtained a settlement where he did not contribute any of his personal assets. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation as Receiver for Broadway Bank v. Giannoulias et. al., N.D. Ill., 12 C 1665.
- Represented American Bank and Trust Company, N.A. in an action initiated by a receiver that alleged our client received fraudulent transfers in violation of a Minnesota statute from an entity selling loan participations. The complaint alleged that the funds transferred to our client were fraudulent transfers as they were the fruit of an illegal Ponzi scheme. Following a jury trial, we successfully settled the case on terms favorable to our client. Patrick Finn and Lighthouse Management Group, Inc. as Receiver for First United Funding, LLC and Corey N. Johnston v. Alliant Bank et. al., State of Minnesota, Dakota County, 19HA-CV-11-2212.
