Chicago, Illinois
nwasdin@dwowas.com
312-343-5361

Nicholas F. Wasdin

Overview

Nick Wasdin represents clients in important disputes before judges and juries around the country. Nick has tried numerous cases to decision, including, most recently, as trial counsel or lead trial counsel on five different federal jury trials during a single twelve month period ending in 2022. Trial opponents refer to Nick as “an extremely talented and committed advocate,” and Nick’s presentations in the courtroom have been praised by a federal judge as “outstanding” and “as good as any that I’ve seen” in 18 years on the bench.

Prior to co-founding Dwoskin | Wasdin LLP, Nick was a partner at Kirkland & Ellis—a leading international law firm—where he represented clients in a wide variety of cases, including in the areas of products liability, business and commercial disputes, class actions and consumer fraud. Nick has extensive experience litigating large mass torts and trying high-stakes cases in multi-district settings.

Nick received his B.A. from the University of Florida and his J.D. from the University of Michigan, where he served as an editor of the Michigan Law Review. Nick is a member of the Board of Directors of the Federal Bar Association, Chicago Chapter.

Representative Experience

Products Liability & Mass Torts

Fortune 500 Products Manufacturer — Represented a manufacturing company in multi-district products liability litigation arising from allegations that a safety device caused injuries. Nick held leadership positions in the MDL, and served as trial counsel or lead trial counsel during numerous individual trials.

Fortune 500 Automobile Manufacturer — Represented one of the world’s largest automakers in multi-district products liability litigation (and coordinated state-court proceedings) arising from voluntary recalls of millions of vehicles. Served as a member of the team that successfully tried numerous federal and state bellwether trials.

Aerospace Materials Manufacturer — Represented a manufacturing company in connection with Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceeding stemming from multi-district products liability litigation. Served as trial counsel during preliminary injunction hearing in the bankruptcy court, which raised cutting edge issues regarding resolution of large mass torts in bankruptcy proceedings.

Pharmaceutical Manufacturer — Represented pharmaceutical manufacturer in multi-district products liability litigation alleging that the FDA-approved label accompanying pharmaceutical drug failed to warn consumers of certain side effects.

Class Actions & Consumer Fraud

Fortune 500 Steel Company — Represented steel company in civil consumer fraud class action case arising from admitted falsifications of certain specifications for metals used in automobiles. Prevailed on motion to dismiss.

Fortune 500 Pharmaceutical Manufacturer — Represented pharmaceutical manufacturer in nationwide class action alleging deceptive and anticompetitive conduct in the development and sales of certain pharmaceutical drugs.

Healthcare Company — Represented healthcare company in putative class action arising from allegations that the company breached certain stock option agreements by undervaluing the company to minimize executive compensation. Sought and won dismissal of putative class allegations, and case thereafter settled favorably.

Business & Commercial Disputes

Fortune 500 Healthcare Company — Represented healthcare company in dispute regarding services owed to purchaser after divestiture of hospital. Served as trial counsel during successful resolution of the matter in a related bankruptcy proceeding.

Automobile Manufacturer — Represented automaker in securities fraud litigation related to then-largest IPO in American history. Dismissal affirmed by Second Circuit.

Fortune 500 Chemical Manufacturer — Represented chemical manufacturer in shareholder derivative action alleging wrongful denial and constructive denial of a shareholder litigation demand. Prevailed on motion to dismiss.

Casino Company — Represented casino owner in shareholder dispute regarding the proper operation of contingent value rights created during the company’s restructuring. Prevailed on summary judgment. 

Energy Company - Represented energy company in connection with litigation stemming from allegations that new debt placement breached certain covenants in the company’s legacy debt documents.

Energy Services Company — Represented energy services company in case brought by competitor alleging theft of confidential information and unfair business practices.

Securities Underwriter — Represented securities underwriter in civil litigation and government investigation regarding the issuance of billions of dollars of residential mortgage-backed securities.

Credentials

Admissions

  • Illinois

  • United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit

  • United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

Education

  • University of Michigan Law School, J.D.

    Michigan Law Review

  • University of Florida, B.A.