Harold B. Hilborn Tel: (312) 341-9848 Fax: (312) 419-0225

Education

• JD Northwestern University School of Law
• BA University of Michigan

Experience

Harold Hilborn is an experienced litigator whose background extends across the full spectrum of complex commercial disputes.  Litigating in state and federal courts nationwide, he has broad experience in the areas of real estate brokerage and leasing, employment contracts, employment discrimination, severance agreements, trade secrets, Articles 2 and 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code, change of control of closely-held corporations, and commercial contracts/warranties.  He has particular experience in commercial real estate lease disputes.  

In addition, Mr. Hilborn has a background in consumer financial services disputes, including FCRA, FDCPA, TILA, and state law consumer fraud claims.  

Mr. Hilborn has extensive courtroom experience, including representation of a major manufacturer in a product warranty case which culminated in a $3.5 million trial verdict for his client.  He has also presented successful oral arguments before the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals and Illinois Appellate Court.  He has obtained favorable results at arbitration and has prepared and argued many successful dispositive motions.

Mr. Hilborn’s practice is not limited to litigation of existing disputes; he routinely  counsels and advises clients on a wide array of issues to assist them in avoiding lawsuits, analyzing their range of exposure, and entering into settlement agreements prior to the filing of suit.

Representative Engagements

• Act as National Litigation Counsel with respect to real estate matters for publicly-held retailer.
• Successfully defended real estate brokerage firm against a multi-million dollar claim by its former owner arising from change in control.
• Successfully defended residential mortgage lender, through appeal before the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, against a claim arising out of broker fraud and theft.

Professional and Community Involvement

• Author of Student-Athletes and Judicial Inconsistency: Establishing a Duty to Educate as a Means of Fostering Meaningful Reform of Intercollegiate Athletics, 89 Nw. U. L. Rev. (1995).
• Regular Moot Court Judge at Northwestern Law School’s annual Julius Miner and Arlyn Miner Moot Court Competitions.