Joshua P. Ackerman

Joshua P. Ackerman is a partner at the law firm Bartlit Beck LLP, based in the Greater Chicago Area. Here are some key points about his background and practice:

Practice Areas

Ackerman specializes in high-stakes commercial and securities cases. He represents clients in a variety of complex litigation matters, including contract disputes, securities litigation, and trade secrets cases.12

Notable Cases

• He served as trial counsel for PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in the case of Appvion, Inc. Retirement Savings and Employee Stock Ownership Plan v. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, successfully moving to dismiss all claims against PwC.1
• He acted as national counsel for DuPont in cases related to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and handled claims in various federal and state litigations.1
• Ackerman successfully defended Emerald Lake Capital Management in a breach of contract case and obtained a voluntary dismissal of all claims against Japanese billionaire Kazuo Okada in a dispute with Wynn Resorts, resulting in a $2.64 billion payment to Okada's family company.1

Professional Background

Before joining Bartlit Beck, Ackerman worked as an Engagement Manager at McKinsey & Company, where he advised healthcare clients on strategic and corporate finance issues.1

Education and Honors

Ackerman earned his J.D. with High Honors from the University of Chicago Law School in 2013, where he was a Kirkland & Ellis Scholar and a member of the Order of the Coif. He also holds a B.A. with Honors from the University of Chicago, earned in 2007. He was the Executive Topics and Comments Editor for The University of Chicago Law Review.1

Clerkships and Admissions

Ackerman clerked for the Honorable Paul J. Watford of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit from 2013 to 2014. He is admitted to practice in Illinois, the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh and Ninth Circuits, and the United States District Courts for the Northern District of Illinois and the Western District of Wisconsin.1

Community Service and Recognition

Ackerman served as a board member of the Great Lakes Academy Charter School from 2015 to 2021. He has also maintained an active pro bono practice, including successful representations in civil rights and guardianship cases. He was recognized as a member of Benchmark Litigation's "40 & Under List" in 2024.1