Subscribe
Alert
Please keep in mind that merely contacting Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP will not establish an attorney-client relationship. Nelson Mullins cannot represent you until the firm knows there would not be a conflict of interest, and the firm determines that it is otherwise able to accept the engagement. Accordingly, please do not send Nelson Mullins any information or documents until a formal attorney-client relationship has been established through an interview with an attorney and authorized in the form of an engagement letter from Nelson Mullins. Any information or documents sent prior to your receipt of an engagement letter cannot be treated as confidences, secrets or protected information of any nature. Clicking "Submit" acknowledges that you understand and agree with this notice.
Justin Barker
Partner
123 N. Wacker Drive
21st Floor
Chicago, IL 60606
21st Floor
Chicago, IL 60606
justin.barker@nelsonmullins.com
Justin is an experienced trial lawyer and focuses his practice on complex commercial litigation, trade secret misappropriation litigation, fraud, contract disputes, bankruptcy litigation, products liability, toxic tort, purchase price earn-out disputes, employment litigation, fraudulent transfer litigation, and internal investigations.
Justin serves as a trusted advisor to companies, counseling on strategic business issues, risk mitigation, internal investigations,...
Justin is an experienced trial lawyer and focuses his practice on complex commercial litigation, trade secret misappropriation litigation, fraud, contract disputes, bankruptcy litigation, products liability, toxic tort, purchase price earn-out disputes, employment litigation, fraudulent transfer litigation, and internal investigations.
Justin serves as a trusted advisor to companies, counseling on strategic business issues, risk mitigation, internal investigations, compliance, restructuring and reorganization, negotiating and drafting agreements, and complex commercial disputes. He has a deep understanding of alternative fee structures, litigation finance, and contingent litigation claims risk-reward assessment and management.
compliance, restructuring and reorganization, negotiating and drafting agreements, and complex commercial disputes. He has a deep understanding of alternative fee structures, litigation finance, and contingent litigation claims risk-reward assessment and management.
Experience
The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.
Representative Matters
- Trial counsel in successful six-week jury trial against a Fortune 100 company for trade secret misappropriation and breach of contract culminating in a $73.6 million verdict for an international manufacturing company—the award is the largest trade secret misappropriation verdict in Illinois history.
- Trial counsel for a publicly traded insurance company against eleven former officers and directors to recover more than $650 million in unpaid borrowings under a loan for a stock program approved by the defendants while they controlled the company--the litigation involved multistate and fraudulent transfers actions culminating in a successful trial against one of the defendants and favorable settlements with the remaining defendants.
- Representing an international pharmaceutical company in a nationwide, federal, multidistrict litigation brought by State Attorney Generals, counties, and municipalities related to the marketing and sale of prescription opioids
- Successfully defended a class action lawsuit for a client whose chemical facility experienced an explosion and fire resulting in the release of toxic chemicals--defeated class certification, negotiated favorable settlements with several plaintiffs, and won summary judgment against all remaining plaintiffs
- Lead counsel for a specialty lender against a financial services company--the adverse party attempted to exercise an option to purchase the specialty lender despite having obtained the option through fraud and then breaching the contract. After a multiday evidentiary hearing, a preliminary injunction was successfully obtained, ultimately preventing them from taking over the company.
- Lead trial counsel in a suit against Lake County Indiana challenging a significant tax assessment increase--following a week-long trial, The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware rejected the County’s $420 million valuation and adopted client’s valuation of less than $9 million. This trial victory was critical to the client’s emergence from bankruptcy.
Education
- J. Reuben Clark Law School, Brigham Young University, JD, magna cum laude (2001)
- Brigham Young University, BA, History (1998)
Admissions
- Illinois
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.
Representative Matters
- Trial counsel in successful six-week jury trial against a Fortune 100 company for trade secret misappropriation and breach of contract culminating in a $73.6 million verdict for an international manufacturing company—the award is the largest trade secret misappropriation verdict in Illinois history.
- Trial counsel for a publicly traded insurance company against eleven former officers and directors to recover more than $650 million in unpaid borrowings under a loan for a stock program approved by the defendants while they controlled the company--the litigation involved multistate and fraudulent transfers actions culminating in a successful trial against one of the defendants and favorable settlements with the remaining defendants.
- Representing an international pharmaceutical company in a nationwide, federal, multidistrict litigation brought by State Attorney Generals, counties, and municipalities related to the marketing and sale of prescription opioids
- Successfully defended a class action lawsuit for a client whose chemical facility experienced an explosion and fire resulting in the release of toxic chemicals--defeated class certification, negotiated favorable settlements with several plaintiffs, and won summary judgment against all remaining plaintiffs
- Lead counsel for a specialty lender against a financial services company--the adverse party attempted to exercise an option to purchase the specialty lender despite having obtained the option through fraud and then breaching the contract. After a multiday evidentiary hearing, a preliminary injunction was successfully obtained, ultimately preventing them from taking over the company.
- Lead trial counsel in a suit against Lake County Indiana challenging a significant tax assessment increase--following a week-long trial, The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware rejected the County’s $420 million valuation and adopted client’s valuation of less than $9 million. This trial victory was critical to the client’s emergence from bankruptcy.
Recognitions
The bar rules of some states require that the standards for an attorney's inclusion in certain public accolades or recognitions be provided. When such accolades or recognitions are listed, a hyperlink is provided that leads to a description of the respective selection methodology.
- Jury Verdict Reporter, Trial Lawyer Excellence Award (2015)
Professional Activities
- American Bar Association
Justin is an experienced trial lawyer and focuses his practice on complex commercial litigation, trade secret misappropriation litigation, fraud, contract disputes, bankruptcy litigation, products liability, toxic tort, purchase price earn-out disputes, employment litigation, fraudulent transfer litigation, and internal investigations.
Justin serves as a trusted advisor to companies, counseling on strategic business issues, risk mitigation, internal investigations,... compliance, restructuring and reorganization, negotiating and drafting agreements, and complex commercial disputes. He has a deep understanding of alternative fee structures, litigation finance, and contingent litigation claims risk-reward assessment and management.
Experience
The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.Representative Matters
- Trial counsel in successful six-week jury trial against a Fortune 100 company for trade secret misappropriation and breach of contract culminating in a $73.6 million verdict for an international manufacturing company—the award is the largest trade secret misappropriation verdict in Illinois history.
- Trial counsel for a publicly traded insurance company against eleven former officers and directors to recover more than $650 million in unpaid borrowings under a loan for a stock program approved by the defendants while they controlled the company--the litigation involved multistate and fraudulent transfers actions culminating in a successful trial against one of the defendants and favorable settlements with the remaining defendants.
- Representing an international pharmaceutical company in a nationwide, federal, multidistrict litigation brought by State Attorney Generals, counties, and municipalities related to the marketing and sale of prescription opioids
- Successfully defended a class action lawsuit for a client whose chemical facility experienced an explosion and fire resulting in the release of toxic chemicals--defeated class certification, negotiated favorable settlements with several plaintiffs, and won summary judgment against all remaining plaintiffs
- Lead counsel for a specialty lender against a financial services company--the adverse party attempted to exercise an option to purchase the specialty lender despite having obtained the option through fraud and then breaching the contract. After a multiday evidentiary hearing, a preliminary injunction was successfully obtained, ultimately preventing them from taking over the company.
- Lead trial counsel in a suit against Lake County Indiana challenging a significant tax assessment increase--following a week-long trial, The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware rejected the County’s $420 million valuation and adopted client’s valuation of less than $9 million. This trial victory was critical to the client’s emergence from bankruptcy.
Education
- J. Reuben Clark Law School, Brigham Young University, JD, magna cum laude (2001)
- Brigham Young University, BA, History (1998)
Admissions
- Illinois
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
Practice Areas
The bar rules of some states require that the standards for an attorney's inclusion in certain public accolades or recognitions be provided. When such accolades or recognitions are listed, a hyperlink is provided that leads to a description of the respective selection methodology.
- Jury Verdict Reporter, Trial Lawyer Excellence Award (2015)
- American Bar Association
Highlights from the Firm’s Insights
“Prime Equity” and the NIL Era: Shedeur Sanders’ Contract Ushers...
September 3, 2025
From the Ballpark to the Courtroom: “Babe Ruth” Charged in...
August 26, 2025
Multi-State Privacy Enforcement Sweep Highlights GPC Compliance Obligations
September 11, 2025
Old North State Report – August 29, 2025
September 2, 2025