Fortune 500 companies and many other sophisticated public and private businesses call on Dean Panos to handle their most challenging complex commercial litigation cases. He has served as lead trial counsel in numerous jury and bench trials and argued cases in state and federal courts across the US, including several before the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh and Ninth Circuits. A leader at the firm, Dean serves as a Co-Chair of the Class Action, Food and Beverage, Consumer Brands, and Mass Torts and Product Liability practices.
Clients praise Dean as “extremely knowledgeable,” and his many wins demonstrate his skill. He is nationally recognized for representing some of the largest food and beverage and consumer product manufacturers in class actions and complex commercial litigation. He has been recognized as a Law 360 MVP. Dean has served as lead counsel on several consumer and food product recalls and as trial counsel to a major airline regarding two commercial aviation accidents.
Large manufacturers and private equity firms have also sought Dean’s help with breach of fiduciary duty, contract, fraud, and misrepresentation matters in their mergers and acquisitions. Boards of directors and audit committees often seek his counsel on internal investigations involving financial and accounting fraud, mismanagement, and employee wrongdoing allegations. He has defended many clients in government enforcement actions involving federal agencies, including the DOJ, SEC, FDA, CPSC, and CFTC, as well as many state attorneys general.
My goal is to secure the best results in and out of court and help clients manage risk and capitalize on strategic opportunities.
Credentials
Service / Recognition
Overview
Fortune 500 companies and many other sophisticated public and private businesses call on Dean Panos to handle their most challenging complex commercial litigation cases. He has served as lead trial counsel in numerous jury and bench trials and argued cases in state and federal courts across the US, including several before the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh and Ninth Circuits. A leader at the firm, Dean serves as a Co-Chair of the Class Action, Food and Beverage, Consumer Brands, and Mass Torts and Product Liability practices.
Clients praise Dean as “extremely knowledgeable,” and his many wins demonstrate his skill. He is nationally recognized for representing some of the largest food and beverage and consumer product manufacturers in class actions and complex commercial litigation. He has been recognized as a Law 360 MVP. Dean has served as lead counsel on several consumer and food product recalls and as trial counsel to a major airline regarding two commercial aviation accidents.
Large manufacturers and private equity firms have also sought Dean’s help with breach of fiduciary duty, contract, fraud, and misrepresentation matters in their mergers and acquisitions. Boards of directors and audit committees often seek his counsel on internal investigations involving financial and accounting fraud, mismanagement, and employee wrongdoing allegations. He has defended many clients in government enforcement actions involving federal agencies, including the DOJ, SEC, FDA, CPSC, and CFTC, as well as many state attorneys general.
My goal is to secure the best results in and out of court and help clients manage risk and capitalize on strategic opportunities.
Areas of Focus
Credentials
Admissions
- Illinois, 1990
Education
- Valparaiso University School of Law, JD, High Distinction, Senior Honors, 1990
- Miami University at Oxford, BS, Dean's List, 1987
Court Admissions
- US Supreme Court, 2006
- US Court of Appeals, Second Circuit, 2017
- US Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit, 2004
- US Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit, 1993
- US Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit, 2009
- US District Court, Central District of Illinois, 2022
- US District Court, Northern District of Illinois, 1990
- US District Court, Northern District of Indiana, 1990
- US District Court, Southern District of Indiana, 1990
- US District Court, Eastern District of Michigan, 2002
- US District Court, Western District of Michigan, 2011
Service / Recognition
Awards
-
The BTI Class Action Leaders, 2026
- Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America, 2025-2026
- The Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation, 2024, 2026; Product Liability Litigation - Defendants, 2026
- Crain’s Chicago Business, Notable Litigators & Trial Attorneys, 2023
- Law360, Food & Beverage MVP, 2017
- Chambers USA, Food & Beverages Regulatory & Litigation Nationwide, 2014-2026; Litigation: Product Liability (Illinois), 2025-2026
- The BTI Consulting Group, Client Service All-Star List, 2013
Community
- Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors
- Constitutional Rights Foundation