Howard S. Suskin is a litigator with substantial first-chair experience in civil and criminal securities matters. Howard is a Co-Chair of the firm’s Investor and Securities Litigation Practice and the Class Action Practice. Individuals and businesses seek his counsel in such matters as class actions alleging securities fraud and misrepresentation claims, derivative actions claiming breach of fiduciary duty, contests for corporate control, shareholder demands for corporate books and records under Delaware General Corporate Law Section 220 and other similar state statutes, insider trading investigations, and broker-dealer disputes. Howard also counsels and represents clients regarding securities administrative and self-regulatory organization investigations and proceedings and in arbitrations.
Ranked Band 1 in Securities Litigation (Illinois) by Chambers USA, Howard is recognized as a well-regarded securities litigator who defends against class and derivative actions. Members of the Leading Lawyers Network consistently recognize his work in several areas including class actions, commercial litigation, alternative dispute resolution, and securities and venture financing law. He was named one of the "Best Lawyers in America" for commercial litigation. Illinois Super Lawyers named him a “Top 100 Illinois Super Lawyer” ten times since 2007 and a “Top 10 Super Lawyer” in 2015.
In 2010, Howard received the firm’s inaugural Associates Committee Mentorship Award. He previously served on the firm’s Management Committee and currently serves on the Associate Development and Evaluation and Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committees.
Howard is author of several prominent class action law treatises, and regularly publishes articles and speaks extensively on issues relating to class actions and securities law. He is a member of the Advisory Board of Board IQ, a Financial Times publication, previously served on the Securities Editorial Board of Law 360, and serves on the faculty of the Practising Law Institute.
Howard is an active member of the ABA Securities Law Committee, including serving as Co-Chair of the Class and Derivative Actions Subcommittee. He serves as the Chicago Bar Association’s General Counsel and is a member of its Judicial Evaluation Committee. He also serves as an arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association and for securities self-regulatory organizations including FINRA, Chicago Board Options Exchange, and the National Futures Association.
He displays impeccable judgment and remains perennially unflappable and is a great source of legal and strategic comfort.
Chambers & Partners
Representative Matters
- Hertzberg v. Boston Heart Diagnostics Corp., C.A. No. 2024-0748-KSJM (Del. Chancery 2024)(granting advancement of CEO’s attorneys’ fees under Delaware law)
- Edelman v. King, et al., No. 388, 2023 (Del. S.Ct June 4, 2024)(affirming Delaware Court of Chancery’s dismissal of shareholder derivative claims against officers and directors relating to alleged insufficient disclosures in proxy).
-
Chubb European Group SE vs. Perrigo Company PLC, No 2021/3571P (Ireland High Court, Commercial Division, 2024): Served as expert witness on issues relating to how securities class actions are litigated in the United States; testimony was accepted and opinion was adopted by the court in its ruling.
-
In re JP Morgan Chase & Co. Securities Litigation, No. 1:20-cv-05124 (SDNY 2023): Obtained a dismissal of a putative securities class action against a precious metals trader who was alleged to have engaged in “spoofing” in the precious metals markets.
- In Re: Kraft Heinz Shareholder Derivative Litigation, No. 1:20-CV-02259 (N.D. Ill. 2023) Successfully defended the board of Kraft Heinz against claims that it overstated financial growth to cover damaging accounting practices. An Illinois judge dismissed the consolidated derivative suit, ruling that the investors did not file the required pre-suit demand on the board.
- Represented Distribution Solutions Group (DSG, formerly known as Lawson Products, Inc.) in six shareholder lawsuits filed across the US that sought to enjoin its acquisition of two companies. (obtained dismissal of each of the cases, allowing the transactions to proceed).
- Chandler v. Ulta Beauty, Inc. No. 18-CV-1577 (N.D. Ill.) (2022) (motion to dismiss putative securities class action granted).
- Stein v. American River Bancshares, No. 2:21-CV-566 (E.D. Cal. 2021) (obtained dismissal of five related shareholder lawsuits seeking to enjoin a merger transaction based on alleged misrepresentations and omissions in a proxy).
- Myers v. Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc., No. 2:21-cv-844 (C.D. Cal. 2021) (obtained dismissal of nine related shareholder lawsuits seeking to enjoin a merger transaction based on alleged misrepresentations and omissions in a proxy).
- Schmidt v. Golden Star Resources Ltd., No. 2:20-cv-04701 (C.D. Cal. 2020)(obtained early-stage dismissal of putative securities class action).
- In re Lannett Company Derivative Litigation, No. 1:19-cv-00888 (D. Del. 2020)(successfully rebuffed objectors’ challenges to settlement of shareholder derivative lawsuit).
- Zalmanoff v. Hardy, No. 609, 2019 (Del. S.Ct. 2019) (affirming motion to dismiss putative shareholder class action with prejudice).
- Errol Brown v. InnerWorkings, Inc., No. 8:18-cv-00832-CJC-KES (C.D. Cal. 2019) (granting motion to dismiss putative shareholder class action with prejudice).
- City of Tamarac Firefighters Pension Trust Fund v. Carolyn Corvi, et al., No. 2017-0341-AGB (Del. Ch. 2019) (granting motion to dismiss putative shareholder derivative action with prejudice).
- Green v. Morningstar, No. 17-CV-05652 (N.D. Ill. 2019) (granting motion to dismiss putative investor class action with prejudice).
- In re Hertz Global Holdings Inc., No. 17-2200 (3rd Cir. 2018) (affirming motion to dismiss putative shareholder class action with prejudice).
- In re Merge Healthcare Securities Litigation, 2017 WL 395981 (Del. Ch.) (2017) (granting motion to dismiss putative shareholder class action with prejudice).
- Hazen v. Merge Healthcare, No. 2015 CH 12090 (Cook County, IL) (2017) (granting motion to dismiss putative shareholder class action with prejudice).
- In re Force Protection Shareholder Litigation, No. A-11-651336 (Clark Cty, Nev.) (2015) (granting motion to dismiss putative shareholder class action with prejudice).
- Garden City Employees Retirement System v. Anixter International, No. 09-05641 (N.D. Ill.) (2012) (granting motion to dismiss putative shareholder class action with prejudice).
- Prissert v. Emcore Corporation, No. 08-cv-01190-MV-KBM (D. New Mexico) (2012) (granting motion to dismiss putative shareholder class action with prejudice).
Credentials
Service / Recognition
Overview
Howard S. Suskin is a litigator with substantial first-chair experience in civil and criminal securities matters. Howard is a Co-Chair of the firm’s Investor and Securities Litigation Practice and the Class Action Practice. Individuals and businesses seek his counsel in such matters as class actions alleging securities fraud and misrepresentation claims, derivative actions claiming breach of fiduciary duty, contests for corporate control, shareholder demands for corporate books and records under Delaware General Corporate Law Section 220 and other similar state statutes, insider trading investigations, and broker-dealer disputes. Howard also counsels and represents clients regarding securities administrative and self-regulatory organization investigations and proceedings and in arbitrations.
Ranked Band 1 in Securities Litigation (Illinois) by Chambers USA, Howard is recognized as a well-regarded securities litigator who defends against class and derivative actions. Members of the Leading Lawyers Network consistently recognize his work in several areas including class actions, commercial litigation, alternative dispute resolution, and securities and venture financing law. He was named one of the "Best Lawyers in America" for commercial litigation. Illinois Super Lawyers named him a “Top 100 Illinois Super Lawyer” ten times since 2007 and a “Top 10 Super Lawyer” in 2015.
In 2010, Howard received the firm’s inaugural Associates Committee Mentorship Award. He previously served on the firm’s Management Committee and currently serves on the Associate Development and Evaluation and Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committees.
Howard is author of several prominent class action law treatises, and regularly publishes articles and speaks extensively on issues relating to class actions and securities law. He is a member of the Advisory Board of Board IQ, a Financial Times publication, previously served on the Securities Editorial Board of Law 360, and serves on the faculty of the Practising Law Institute.
Howard is an active member of the ABA Securities Law Committee, including serving as Co-Chair of the Class and Derivative Actions Subcommittee. He serves as the Chicago Bar Association’s General Counsel and is a member of its Judicial Evaluation Committee. He also serves as an arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association and for securities self-regulatory organizations including FINRA, Chicago Board Options Exchange, and the National Futures Association.
He displays impeccable judgment and remains perennially unflappable and is a great source of legal and strategic comfort.
Chambers & Partners
Areas of Focus
Representative Matters
- Hertzberg v. Boston Heart Diagnostics Corp., C.A. No. 2024-0748-KSJM (Del. Chancery 2024)(granting advancement of CEO’s attorneys’ fees under Delaware law)
- Edelman v. King, et al., No. 388, 2023 (Del. S.Ct June 4, 2024)(affirming Delaware Court of Chancery’s dismissal of shareholder derivative claims against officers and directors relating to alleged insufficient disclosures in proxy).
-
Chubb European Group SE vs. Perrigo Company PLC, No 2021/3571P (Ireland High Court, Commercial Division, 2024): Served as expert witness on issues relating to how securities class actions are litigated in the United States; testimony was accepted and opinion was adopted by the court in its ruling.
-
In re JP Morgan Chase & Co. Securities Litigation, No. 1:20-cv-05124 (SDNY 2023): Obtained a dismissal of a putative securities class action against a precious metals trader who was alleged to have engaged in “spoofing” in the precious metals markets.
- In Re: Kraft Heinz Shareholder Derivative Litigation, No. 1:20-CV-02259 (N.D. Ill. 2023) Successfully defended the board of Kraft Heinz against claims that it overstated financial growth to cover damaging accounting practices. An Illinois judge dismissed the consolidated derivative suit, ruling that the investors did not file the required pre-suit demand on the board.
- Represented Distribution Solutions Group (DSG, formerly known as Lawson Products, Inc.) in six shareholder lawsuits filed across the US that sought to enjoin its acquisition of two companies. (obtained dismissal of each of the cases, allowing the transactions to proceed).
- Chandler v. Ulta Beauty, Inc. No. 18-CV-1577 (N.D. Ill.) (2022) (motion to dismiss putative securities class action granted).
- Stein v. American River Bancshares, No. 2:21-CV-566 (E.D. Cal. 2021) (obtained dismissal of five related shareholder lawsuits seeking to enjoin a merger transaction based on alleged misrepresentations and omissions in a proxy).
- Myers v. Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc., No. 2:21-cv-844 (C.D. Cal. 2021) (obtained dismissal of nine related shareholder lawsuits seeking to enjoin a merger transaction based on alleged misrepresentations and omissions in a proxy).
- Schmidt v. Golden Star Resources Ltd., No. 2:20-cv-04701 (C.D. Cal. 2020)(obtained early-stage dismissal of putative securities class action).
- In re Lannett Company Derivative Litigation, No. 1:19-cv-00888 (D. Del. 2020)(successfully rebuffed objectors’ challenges to settlement of shareholder derivative lawsuit).
- Zalmanoff v. Hardy, No. 609, 2019 (Del. S.Ct. 2019) (affirming motion to dismiss putative shareholder class action with prejudice).
- Errol Brown v. InnerWorkings, Inc., No. 8:18-cv-00832-CJC-KES (C.D. Cal. 2019) (granting motion to dismiss putative shareholder class action with prejudice).
- City of Tamarac Firefighters Pension Trust Fund v. Carolyn Corvi, et al., No. 2017-0341-AGB (Del. Ch. 2019) (granting motion to dismiss putative shareholder derivative action with prejudice).
- Green v. Morningstar, No. 17-CV-05652 (N.D. Ill. 2019) (granting motion to dismiss putative investor class action with prejudice).
- In re Hertz Global Holdings Inc., No. 17-2200 (3rd Cir. 2018) (affirming motion to dismiss putative shareholder class action with prejudice).
- In re Merge Healthcare Securities Litigation, 2017 WL 395981 (Del. Ch.) (2017) (granting motion to dismiss putative shareholder class action with prejudice).
- Hazen v. Merge Healthcare, No. 2015 CH 12090 (Cook County, IL) (2017) (granting motion to dismiss putative shareholder class action with prejudice).
- In re Force Protection Shareholder Litigation, No. A-11-651336 (Clark Cty, Nev.) (2015) (granting motion to dismiss putative shareholder class action with prejudice).
- Garden City Employees Retirement System v. Anixter International, No. 09-05641 (N.D. Ill.) (2012) (granting motion to dismiss putative shareholder class action with prejudice).
- Prissert v. Emcore Corporation, No. 08-cv-01190-MV-KBM (D. New Mexico) (2012) (granting motion to dismiss putative shareholder class action with prejudice).
Credentials
Admissions
- Illinois, 1983
Education
- University of Michigan Law School, JD, with honors, 1983
- Northwestern University, BA, with distinction, Phi Beta Kappa, 1980
Court Admissions
- US Supreme Court, 2010
- US Court of Appeals, Third Circuit, 2017
- US Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit, 1987
- US Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit, 1985
- US Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit, 1984
- US Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit, 2010
- US District Court, Northern District of Illinois, 1983
- US District Court, Northern District of Illinois (Trial Bar), 1988
Service / Recognition
Awards
-
The BTI Class Action Leaders, 2026
- Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America, 2025-2026
- The Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Securities, 2013-2021, 2024-2026
- Chambers USA, Litigation: Securities (Illinois), 2020-2026
- Business Today: Top 10 Most Influential Litigation: Securities Attorneys in Illinois, 2023
- Chicago Bar Association, Vanguard Award, 2022; Lawyer of the Year, 2026
- Illinois Super Lawyers: Securities Litigation, 2006-2026; Top 10 Illinois Super Lawyer, 2015; Top 100 Illinois Super Lawyers, 2007-2010, 2014-2018, 2021-2022, 2025-2026
- Jenner & Block, Associates Committee Inaugural Mentorship Award, 2010
- Leaders League Litigation & Competition Directory, Securities Litigation, 2018-2022
- Leading Lawyers Network: Leading Lawyer in Illinois, 2025; Class Action/Mass Tort Defense Law; Commercial Litigation; ADR Law: Commercial Litigation; Securities & Venture Finance Law, 2005-2024
- Legal 500, Dispute Resolution - Securities Litigation - Defense
Community
- American Civil Liberties Union, Board Member; Member, Executive Committee; Co-Chair, Investment Committee
- Jewish Child and Family Services, Board Member; Member, Executive Committee; Co-Chair, Governance Committee
- Washington Square Park Advisory Council
Service to the Bar
- American Bar Association: Co-Chairman, Sub-Committee on Class Action and Derivative Suits, Coordinating Editor, Section of Litigation, Survey of State Class Action Law (2002-2025 editions)
- Chicago Bar Association: General Counsel, 2013-present; Member, Board of Managers, 2011-2013; Chairman, Bench & Bar Committee, 2006-2007; Chairman, Class Action Committee, 2005-2006; Chairman, Financial & Investment Services Committee, 2007-2008; Chairman, Securities Law Committee, 1997-1998; Member, Judicial Evaluation Committee
- Chicago Bar Foundation: Member, Cy Pres Committee, 2005-present
- Circuit Court of Cook County, Arbitrator
- Practising Law Institute: Faculty Member; Co-Chair, Annual Class Action Symposium, New York, NY, 2010-2021
Industry
- American Arbitration Association, Arbitrator
- Board IQ (a Financial Times publication), Advisory Board
- Chicago Board Options Exchange, Arbitrator
- FINRA, Arbitrator and Mediator
- The Deal, Advisory Panel
- National Futures Association, Arbitrator
Thought Leadership
Publications
- Law of Class Action, Fifty-State Survey, American Bar Association, 2026 Edition, January 2026
- Federal Class Action Deskbook, Matthew Bender, a division of LexisNexis, 2026 Edition, December 2025
- A Primer on Shareholder Derivative Lawsuits under New York Law, American Bar Association Edition, June 16, 2025
- Law of Class Action, Fifty-State Survey, American Bar Association, 2025 Edition, January 2025
- Federal Class Action Deskbook, Matthew Bender, a division of LexisNexis, 2025 Edition, December 2024
- Practical Guidance, LexisNexis, December 12, 2024
- "Class Action Notices Under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23," Class Action, Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, March 2024
- Law of Class Action, Fifty-State Survey, American Bar Association, 2024 Edition, January 2024
- Federal Class Action Deskbook, Matthew Bender, a division of LexisNexis, 2024 Edition, December 2023
- "Upcoming Changes to Federal Rules for Experts," Journal of The National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts, October 18, 2023
- Practical Guidance, LexisNexis, July 13, 2023
- Federal Class Action Deskbook, Matthew Bender, a division of LexisNexis, 2023 Edition, January 2023
- Lexis/Nexis Practical Guidance: Civil Litigation Series, July 15, 2022
- “Expert Witnesses: Be Prepared for Changes to Federal Rules of Evidence," The Value Examiner, July 7, 2022
- To view Howard’s extensive publications credentials, please click here.
Speaking Engagements
- “Writing Effective Briefs in the Age of AI”, Chicago Bar Association, June 2026
- AI-Driven Due Diligence, The Legal Profession and the Judiciary in the Age of Artificial Intelligence, Chicago Bar Association Symposium, May 11, 2026
- Moderator, “Comparing Alternative Dispute Resolution in Greece and the United States”, Chicago Bar Association International Program, Athens, Greece, April 2026
- "Developing a Pro Bono Practice", ABA Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice, March 20, 2026
- Moderator, “Comparative Italian and U.S. Judicial Systems and Upholding the Rule of Law”, Chicago Bar Association International CLE Program, Palermo, Sicily, April 2025
- “Maintaining Judicial Independence and Protecting the Rule of Law,” Chicago Bar Association International CLE Program in Mexico City, March 26, 2024
- "Tips and Techniques for Writing Effective Legal Briefs," Chicago Bar Association, December 14, 2023
- “What, How, When, and Why: Successfully Leveraging Independent Investigations to Reduce Risk and Enhance Compliance," The Garrett Institute, October 6, 2023
- “Maintain Good Relationships in Negotiation," Chicago Bar Association CLE: Negotiation and Mediation Skills in M&A Cases, August 24, 2023
- “’Corporate Traumas’ Are Making Shareholders Lawyer Up,” On The Merits podcast, Bloomberg Law, July 25, 2023
- “Decision to Litigate or Arbitrate," MyLawCLE, August 18, 2023
- “Practice Tips for Effective Legal Writing," Lawline, May 1, 2023
- "Is ADR Essential for Our Legal System? How ADR Is Used in Ireland and the US," Chicago Bar Association's International CLE Program, Dublin, Ireland, April 18, 2023
- "Arbitration Law CLE," Rossdale CLE, April 12, 2023
- "A Roundtable on Difficult Arbitration/Mediation Issues," Chicago Bar Association, December 1, 2022
- “Writing to Win: The Fundamentals of Legal Writing," MyLawCLE, June 29, 2022
- To view Howard’s extensive speaking engagement credentials, please click here.