Amanda Brown represents a wide range of clients in federal and state court civil litigation, including securities, shareholder derivative, antitrust and breach of contract actions.

Bio

Ms. Brown has experience advising clients in various stages of litigation, including the pleading phase, pretrial motion practice, discovery, trial preparation and settlement negotiations. Among others, Ms. Brown has represented:

  • Affiliates of Bank of America in securing the favorable resolutions of actions brought by the Tennessee and Virginia state retirement systems for alleged violations of common law doctrines and various state statutes related to the sale of mortgage-backed securities
  • Ball Metal Food Container Corporation in securing the dismissal of an adversary proceeding alleging that the company and other co-defendants engaged in an effort to rig the outcome of an asset sale in bankruptcy, and in securing the affirmance of the dismissal on appeal before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
  • a real estate investment trust and the independent members of its board of directors in securing a favorable settlement for the company and its shareholders in derivative actions alleging breach of fiduciary duty and other misconduct by certain directors and company affiliates
  • a financial services institution in high-profile antitrust litigation

Ms. Brown also has conducted internal anti-corruption investigations for global companies in the communications, pharmaceuticals and life sciences sectors. She has significant experience representing corporations in regulatory investigations, including matters before the Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission. In recognition of her work, Ms. Brown was named one of Best Lawyers’ Ones To Watch in 2023 and 2024, as well as a recipient of the Cook County Bar Association’s 2024 Next Generation Award.

Ms. Brown has done a substantial amount of pro bono work. In 2017, she was appointed Special Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney and participated in the successful defense at trial of four correctional officers accused of civil rights violations. She also represented a pretrial detainee in the successful resolution of an action brought against a local jail for unlawful solitary confinement.

Ms. Brown serves as a mentor in the firm’s mentorship program for junior associates and is active in the firm’s summer program for prospective associates as well as other recruiting initiatives. She also is a member of the firm’s Black Lawyers for Diversity Affinity Network. In addition, Ms. Brown is a 2024 fellow in the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity’s Fellows Program, a yearlong leadership and professional development initiative. 

Credentials

Education

  • J.D., Harvard Law School, 2013
  • A.B., Harvard University, Harvard College, 2009 (cum laude)

Admissions

  • Illinois

Amanda L. Brown