Silverman, Peter A.

Peter A. Silverman is a Partner in the Litigation Practice of Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP. He is a founding partner of Figliulo & Silverman, the firm that combined with SGR in 2022.

Full Bio

Peter (Pete) A. Silverman is a Partner and the Head of the Chicago Litigation Section of Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP. He is a founding partner of Figliulo & Silverman, the firm that combined with SGR in 2022.

Mr. Silverman has broad-based experience representing clients in sophisticated business disputes, litigation, and appeals for more than 30 years in state and federal courts and has consistently achieved his client’s objectives, employing sound judgment, careful analysis and aggressive determination.

Since 2010, he has been recognized in the practice area of Commercial Litigation by “Best Lawyers”, “Leading Lawyers” and “Super Lawyers” for excellence in the profession. He is ranked by “Leading Lawyers” as one of the ten best attorneys in Illinois defending legal malpractice claims. Mr. Silverman has been recognized in a survey of his peers as one of the leading commercial litigators in Illinois.

Pete has extensive experience and has achieved outstanding results representing law firms and lawyers on professional responsibilities, fee disputes and claims of legal malpractice. He has significant experience defending investigations and complaints before the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission.

In addition, Pete has substantial experience and success representing clients in corporate and partnership disputes. He has handled numerous matters involving the interpretation and enforcement of partnership and shareholder agreements and the application of the Business Corporation Act and Uniform Partnership Act in the context of closely held, family-owned businesses as well as partnership and corporate dissolutions and breakups.

His experience in employment law is also extensive and diverse. He has rendered services ranging from general counseling, such as drafting employee handbooks, policies and procedures, to prosecuting and defending discrimination, wrongful discharge and retaliation claims. He also has extensive experience enforcing and defending against restrictive covenants.

Mr. Silverman received his B.A. from Northwestern University and his J.D., with honors, from Boston University School of Law.
Representative Experience
- Represented defendant in shareholder dispute in Circuit Court of Cook County as part of a team with two international law firms, dismissed as a matter of law.
- Represented defendant in contract claim in Northern Illinois District Court, dismissed on summary judgment.
- Represented defendant in contract dispute in Circuit Court of Cook County, dismissed on summary judgment and affirmed on appeal in First District Appellate Court of Illinois.
- Represented defendant in legal malpractice claims in Circuit Court of Cook County, dismissed on summary judgment.
- Represented defendant in lender liability action in Circuit Court of Cook County, dismissed on summary judgment and affirmed on appeal in First District Appellate Court of Illinois.
- Represented defendant in easement action in Northern Illinois District Court, dismissed on summary judgment, and affirmed on appeal in Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals.
- Represented defendant in tort claims in Circuit Court of Cook County, dismissed as a matter of law.
Bar Admissions

Illinois
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
7th Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court
Education
Undergraduate
- Northwestern University
Law School
- Boston University School of Law
Memberships

Northern District of Illinois – Trial Bar, Pro Bono Panel Member
Chicago Bar Association
American Bar Association
Recognitions

The Best Lawyers in America® - Commercial Litigation, Chicago (2010-2025)
SGR Publications
Press