KRISTEN SEEGER is the co-leader of the firm’s global Commercial Litigation and Disputes practice and a member of the firm’s Executive Committee. She focuses her practice on the successful resolution of shareholder-related disputes, including shareholder demands, derivative litigation, and securities class actions; complex commercial disputes; and the defense of SEC enforcement matters. Kristen has provided critical advice to some of the world’s leading companies as they respond to shareholder demands and government investigations, and she conducts investigations for boards and special committees on high-profile and sensitive matters. She has successfully defended corporations, officers and directors, financial institutions, and accounting firms in complex, high-stakes litigation in courts throughout the country. Clients regularly turn to her as a trusted and strategic advisor across a spectrum of business and governance challenges, involving her in their most complex and weighty issues.
“Kristen is an amazing lawyer; she’s very smart, client-focused, innovative, and resourceful. I have always felt extremely comfortable with her dedication to her clients.”
Chambers USA 2022
Chambers USA has recognized Kristen for her work in Litigation: Securities in Illinois (2021–2024). In the 2023 edition of Chambers USA, a client described Kristen as “a very experienced and knowledgeable attorney. She is a zealous advocate, she's good on her feet and stays on top of the law and facts of a case.” In the 2021 edition, a client described Kristen as “an exceptionally strong and capable lawyer who is always remarkably prepared. She has a calmness of manner that relieves difficulties and inspires confidence.” Kristen was shortlisted for “Securities Litigator of the Year” in 2023 and in 2024 by Women in Business Law. Crain’s Chicago Business named her one of its “Notable Litigators and Trial Attorneys” in 2023, one of its “Notable Women in Law” in 2022, and a “Notable Gen X Leader in Law” in 2021. Chambers USA also listed Kristen as a “Notable Practitioner” in Sidley’s Securities and Shareholder Litigation practice, which is regularly ranked Band 1 for Illinois Litigation: Securities (2020–2023). The 2023 edition praises the group as “a dominant and highly acclaimed practice that demonstrates outstanding expertise across the board in litigation, appearing in some of the most significant civil cases in the market.”
Kristen is deeply involved in both firm and civic life. Within Sidley, in addition to her Executive Committee and practice leader roles, Kristen is firmwide co-chair of the Committee for the Evaluation and Compensation of Associates, serves on the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee, and previously served as deputy head of the 100+ lawyer Litigation group in Chicago. She serves on the board of the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago and is the past board chair and current emeritus board member of Mujeres Latinas en Acción. Kristen also is a Leadership Greater Chicago Fellow and a member of the Chief network of senior women executives.
Kristen’s recent representative engagements include:
- Advising clients in sensitive and high-profile pre-litigation situations, as well as corporate crisis situations.
- Representing clients in securities and shareholder derivative litigation in courts around the country, including in some of the largest matters by damages and highest profile by allegations
- Advising multiple corporations as they respond to shareholder demands and conduct special committee and board investigations.
- Representing multiple clients in ongoing non-public SEC investigations.
- Conducting investigations for special committees and boards of directors.
Kristen also has successfully defended accounting firms in securities class actions, professional liability cases, and SEC investigations, and represents clients in connection with other commercial litigation and disputes. These matters have involved a broad range of accounting and disclosure issues, including issues related to public company disclosures, Reg FD, projections, restatements, loan loss reserves, the recording of impairment charges, allowances for doubtful accounts, revenue recognition, executive compensation, and internal controls.