Brendan P. McGarry’s practice focuses on the representation of insurance carriers, both foreign and domestic, in a range of coverage matters, including those concerning professional errors and omissions liability, directors and officers liability, financial institution bonds and commercial crime policies. Mr. McGarry has drafted a number of insurance policies and regularly counsels insurers on policy wording. In addition, Mr. McGarry counsels practitioners within the financial industry, representing securities broker-dealers, directors and officers of financial institutions, and registered investment advisers in litigation and regulatory matters. Mr. McGarry’s practice also includes attorney malpractice claims as well as other professional liability litigation. He has also counseled clients in a variety of corporate and transactional matters, concentrating on the securities and futures industries, including the offering of interests in hedge funds and commodity pools, as well as other security offerings.
Before joining the firm, Mr. McGarry was an associate in the Chicago offices of national and regional law firms, where he handled litigation in federal and state courts, and multiple arbitration forums. He also represented clients in enforcement proceedings brought by federal and state regulators, such as the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodities Futures Trading Commission, and self-regulatory organizations, such as the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and the National Futures Association. Additionally, he counseled clients on compliance with federal anti-money-laundering regulations and Office of Foreign Assets Control policies, as well as amendments to federal securities laws promulgated by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.
Prior to his law career, Mr. McGarry worked for 15 years in the commodities trading industry for member firms at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and the Chicago Board of Trade. During this time he acted in both brokerage and legal capacities, gaining a unique perspective on the issues facing his clients. While working and attending law school Mr. McGarry served as a judicial extern to two judges in the Law Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County.
September, 2014 - present