Donna M. Welch is a partner at Kirkland & Ellis LLP who focuses on complex commercial litigation. She received her JD from DePaul University College of Law, where she was Editor-in-Chief of the DePaul Law Review. Ms. Welch has over 25 years of experience litigating high-stakes cases involving breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, and other business issues. She has served as lead counsel in numerous jury trials and arbitrations, obtaining large verdicts and settlements for clients such as General Motors, BP, and Stericycle. Ms. Welch is also involved in pro bono work and has received awards for her commitment to public service.

1. Donna M. Welch, P.C.
Education
DePaul University College of Law
 Juris Doctor 1994
 DePaul Law Review, Editor-in-
Chief
 Order of the Coif
University of Chicago
 The College, Bachelor of Arts in
Philosophy, June 1988
Bar Memberships
Illinois Bar
U.S. District Court, Northern
District of Illinois
U.S. District Court, Eastern District
of Michigan
U.S. Court of Appeals, Third
Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth
Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh
Circuit
Partner,
Commercial Litigation
Kirkland & Ellis LLP
Chicago, Illinois
t: + 1 312-862-2425
f: +1 312-862-2200
donna.welch@kirkland.com
Donna Welch’s practice is focused on the preparation and trial of complex
civil cases involving a broad range of business and commercial issues, before
federal and state courts. Her practice includes class actions and litigation
involving breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, conspiracy, civil RICO, breach of
contract, misappropriation of intellectual property, and complex shareholder
and partnership disputes. Ms. Welch has also litigated class action
employment claims, including under the Fair Labor Standards Act and
ERISA.
Donna has served as lead and co-lead counsel in jury trials in federal and state
courts and in arbitration.
Representative Clients
Counsel to clients including Clark Realty Capital, L.L.C. and S.C. Johnson &
Son, Inc. in matters involving fraud, conspiracy and breach of fiduciary duty;
Counsel to clients including Stericycle, Inc. and the Chicago Board of Trade
in matters involving complex shareholder and minority member disputes;
Counsel to clients including General Motors Corp., BP America Inc., and a
leading property and casualty insurance company in class actions involving
claims of employment discrimination, and violations of FLSA and ERISA.
Representative Matters
 Center Partners Ltd., et al. v. Urban Shopping Centers, LP., et al. – Cook County
Circuit Court, Chicago, Illinois: Successful prosecution of multi-billion dollar
claims of breach of fiduciary duty, conspiracy and breach of contract. Obtained
summary judgment finding defendant parent companies directly liable for breach
of fiduciary duties of general partner in connection with usurpation of over $2.5
billion in corporate opportunities. One of the largest reported verdicts in Illinois
and largest breach of fiduciary verdict nationally.
 S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. v. Morris -- State of Wisconsin Circuit Court, Racine
County: Successful prosecution of various breach of fiduciary duty, fraud and
conspiracy claims arising out of scheme involving corporate fraud and kickbacks
in violation of the Wisconsin Organized Crime Control Act. Obtained largest
civil verdict recorded in Wisconsin and Top Ten National Jury Verdict, after
four-week jury trial. Verdict sustained on appeal.
 Mueller Industries, Inc. v. Berkman -- Circuit Court of DuPage County, Illinois:
Successfully settled multi-million dollar claims for breach of contract and
fiduciary duty brought by defendants’ former employer.
 DAG Petroleum Suppliers L.L.C. v. BP p.l.c. and BP Products North America,
Inc. -- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia: Defense of claims
alleging business conspiracy and race discrimination. Summary judgment
granted in favor of BP parties on all counts, affirmed by the Fourth Circuit. 452
F. Supp. 2d 641, 2006 WL 2938721 (E.D. Va. 2006), aff’d, 2008 WL 193193
(4th Cir. Jan. 23, 2008), pet. for rehearing and rehearing en banc denied (4th
Cir. Feb. 19, 2008).
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2. Donna M. Welch, P.C.
 Larry Robb v. Stericycle -- First Judicial District Court, Caddo Parish, Louisiana:
Successfully settled $500 million dollar claim brought by minority shareholders,
alleging fraud and breach of fiduciary duty shortly before trial.
 Rowls v. General Motors Corp. -- Circuit Court of the County of Oakland,
Michigan: Successfully defended putative state-wide race discrimination and
harassment claims.Motion for class certification denied.
 EEOC v. General Motors Corp. -- U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey:
Represented GM in collective action brought by EEOC alleging race and sex
discrimination. Case favorably settled.
 Association for Disabled Americans, et al. v. Amoco Oil Co. -- U.S. District
Court, Southern District of Florida: Defense of claims alleging violation of the
Americans with Disabilities Act. Class settlement reached and approved. 211
F.R.D. 453 (S.D. Fla. 2002).
Professional History
Kirkland & Ellis LLP, 1994 to
present
Memberships and Affiliations
American Bar Association
Illinois State Bar Association
Chicago Bar Association
Pro Bono and
Community Service
Recipient of The Scott C. Solberg
Award in 2011 for commitment to
pro bono service from Legal Aid
Society of Metropolitan Family
Services
Recipient of the Edward J. Lewis
Pro Bono Service Award in 2012
from the Chicago Bar
Association/Chicago Bar
Foundation
Fellow, Leadership Greater
Chicago (2006)
Board of Directors, Business and
Professional People for the Public
Interest (2006-2010)
Board of Directors, Leadership
Greater Chicago Fellows
Association (2006-2009)
Board of Directors, Housing
Opportunities for Women (1997-
2008)
Board Chair, Housing
Opportunities for Women (1997-
2003)
Leadership Council, Housing
Opportunities for Women (2009-
Present)
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