Seth Stern
Seth has successfully litigated numerous First Amendment, employment, and commercial disputes for clients in the media, financial services and healthcare industries, among others. One appellate court complimented Seth’s “extreme persistence” in an opinion affirming sanctions against his opponent in a shareholder dispute. Seth also assists FVLD clients in avoiding litigation and favorably settling disputes before a lawsuit is filed. His litigation experience allows him to anticipate potential pitfalls and provide practical advice so that clients can make informed business decisions regarding their dispute resolution strategies. Seth spent two summers at FVLD during law school and joined the firm upon graduating in 2009. He has served as a co-chair of the Chicago Bar Association’s Media and Entertainment Law Committee for the last five years and is the current Chair Elect of the American Bar Association (ABA) Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section (TIPS) Media, Privacy and Advertising Law Committee.
Seth’s extensive First Amendment and media experience includes regularly defending defamation and related complaints as well as obtaining access to court records and proceedings for our media clients. Some examples of the latter include opposing closures of hearings and court records in high profile cases involving Drew Peterson, Laquan McDonald and former Mayor Daley’s nephew.
Additionally, Seth regularly represents both plaintiffs and defendants in wage and hour disputes, employment discrimination claims and disputes regarding post-employment restrictive covenants and confidentiality obligations. Seth has also arbitrated several cases before FINRA and other financial industry regulators, including working with other FVLD attorneys to recover an award of more than $1.2 million for a registered financial representative. Seth’s experience representing large traditional media publishers also provides him with unique insights in advising digital publishers, bloggers and social media users regarding their risks.
Before attending law school, Seth worked as a reporter and editor for newspapers in the Chicago and Atlanta areas and in Cape Town, South Africa. Seth grew up in the Chicago and Miami areas. He now lives in Evanston, IL with his wife and two children.
Education:
- DePaul University, J.D., magna cum laude
- Associate Editor, DePaul Law Review
- Emory University, B.A. Journalism
Admissions:
- Supreme Court of the United States
- United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana
- United States District Court for the District of North Dakota
- Admitted to Practice in Illinois
- Chair Elect, American Bar Association (ABA) Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section (TIPS) Media, Privacy and Advertising Law Committee.
- Co-Chair, CBA Media & Entertainment Law Committee – 2016-22
- Vice-Chair, CBA Media & Entertainment Law Committee – 2015-16
- Member, American Bar Association
- Member, Illinois State Bar Association
