Caitlin Kovacs

Caitlin Kovacs

Partner

Chicago

T 312.624.6392

Languages: English, Spanish (Conversational)

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Overview

Caitlin is an experienced and passionate complex commercial litigator who tackles the most challenging and high-stakes matters her clients face. Fueled by a competitive spirit, she thrives on securing major victories for her clients, strategically defending their interests both in and out of the courtroom.

Leading effective teams in bet-the-company cases across state and federal courts, Caitlin handles a diverse array of disputes, including defamation, breach of contract, fraud, business torts, white collar, products liability, restructuring, False Claims Act and tax. Her clients span a wide range of industries and include Fortune 100 financial institutions, retail institutions, chemical companies and technology companies.

Clients and co-counsel consistently commend Caitlin’s advocacy and problem-solving prowess, describing her as “super smart, dedicated” and “very, very formidable.” Her “extremely persuasive” writing is lauded as “terrific” and “really powerful,” often leading to early dispute resolutions. In discovery, her innovative legal strategies, adept witness handling, and “poised, expert and persuasive” oral advocacy position her clients for success. Jurors have praised Caitlin as an exceptional presenter, noting her “confident,” “very knowledgeable and passionate” style, which is “detailed yet simple to understand” and “just the right amount of everything.”

An engaging speaker, Caitlin is often invited to instruct on a variety of legal topics, including ethics for in-house counsel, deposition skills and women in law. Her insights on headline-making legal developments have also been featured in nationwide publications such as Variety, Law360 and Us Weekly.

*Matters completed prior to joining Benesch.

What I Do

Defamation Litigation
Litigation
White Collar, Government Investigations & Regulatory Compliance

Featured endorsements

Experience

Representing a high-net-worth individual in bringing defamation claims against social media accounts falsely accusing him of engaging in criminal and otherwise wrongful conduct  
Key Contacts: Caitlin Kovacs
Secured temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction in the Middle District of Florida on behalf of members in a venture capital fund, preventing the further unauthorized use of their names and likenesses to promote a separate fund.
Key Contacts: Caitlin Kovacs

Representing a global election technology firm in a defamation suit seeking over $2 billion against Fox News and others.

Key Contacts: Caitlin Kovacs

Represented major vehicle manufacturer in DOJ and SEC investigation involving fraud allegations.*

Key Contacts: Caitlin Kovacs

Represented government contractor against False Claims Act allegations by the Department of Justice.*

Key Contacts: Caitlin Kovacs

Represented major chemical company in SEC investigation into federal reporting issues. *

Key Contacts: Caitlin Kovacs

Represented a multinational medical device company in internal investigation involving allegations of potential kickbacks and off-label marketing.*

Key Contacts: Caitlin Kovacs

Counsel for major power company in case brought by energy services competitor alleging theft of confidential information and unfair business practices. During deposition discovery, sought and won a stay of the preliminary injunction proceeding on behalf of client. Case settled favorably during stay. *

Key Contacts: Caitlin Kovacs

Counsel for multinational recreational vehicle manufacturer in putative class actions and personal injury matters alleging product liability and violations of consumer protection statutes.*

Key Contacts: Caitlin Kovacs

Counsel for major home furnishings retailer in purported class actions involving allegations of product defect, consumer fraud, and warrantability claims. Won motion to compel arbitration following contested evidentiary hearing.*

Key Contacts: Caitlin Kovacs

Counsel for American designer and clothing company in trial seeking confirmation of plan of reorganization, involving claims of alleged breach of fiduciary duty, fraudulent transfer, and other causes of action regarding the 2014 leveraged buyout of the company. Case settled favorably after one week of trial.*

Key Contacts: Caitlin Kovacs

Counsel for international oil company in putative class action arising out of the storage of its petroleum product. Won motion to dismiss all six claims.*

Key Contacts: Caitlin Kovacs

Counsel for major international airline in litigation arising out of spacecraft venture. In 2016, after six years of litigation in four countries, the airline won summary judgment as plaintiff against three companies controlled by the Russian and Ukrainian governments. The total judgment in plaintiff’s favor exceeded $500 million. This victory was recognized by The American Lawyer as a Transatlantic Litigation matter of the year for 2016. *

Key Contacts: Caitlin Kovacs

Secured summary judgment for global investment management firm in over half a billion-dollar defamation case involving the high yield municipal bond market.*

Key Contacts: Caitlin Kovacs

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Credentials

Education

Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, 2013, J.D.
  • Executive Articles Editor, Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology
  • Bluhm Legal Clinic Center on Wrongful Convictions, Student and PILI Intern
  • Co-President, Latino Law Students Association
  • Mentor, Women’s Leadership Coalition
  • cum laude
Northwestern University, 2007, B.A. in Economics and English Literature
  • Sweet Briar College Study Abroad, University of Seville (Spain)
  • cum laude

Clerkships and Bar Admissions

Illinois
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

More

  • Listed, Crain’s Chicago Notable Women in Law, 2024
  • Listed, Benchmark Litigation, Future Star, 2024-2026
  • Benchmark’s 40 & Under Hot List, 2022