Elizabeth (Betsy) B. Farrington
Partner / Chicago

P: 312-881-5967
F: 312-380-7004

Download vcard for Elizabeth (Betsy) B. Farrington bfarrington@goldmanismail.com

Betsy represents clients in high-stakes cases in trial and appellate courts throughout the country. Her practice includes antitrust, products-liability, and complex commercial litigation. Betsy has managed discovery teams, prepared, defended, and deposed witnesses, drafted and argued successful dispositive motions and appellate briefs, and played an integral role on winning trial teams.

A decorated former Naval officer, Betsy continues her commitment to service by maintaining an active pro bono practice. She has successfully represented asylum seekers in partnership with the National Immigrant Justice Center. She has also negotiated favorable settlements on behalf of indigent plaintiffs as part of the Northern District of Illinois’ Settlement Assistance Program. And she briefed and argued a direct criminal appeal as part of the Illinois Supreme Court’s Pro Bono Program. Betsy has served as plaintiffs' counsel and amicus curiae in impact litigation. Betsy also serves on the Friends of Prentice Board of Directors and as the Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Legal Council for Health Justice.

Betsy came to the firm after completing federal judicial clerkships in the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals and the Western District of Missouri. She earned her B.S. from the United States Naval Academy and her J.D. summa cum laude from University of Illinois College of Law.

  • Union Carbide Corporation Asbestos Litigation

    Represents Dow Chemical Company subsidiary Union Carbide in litigation involving asbestos. Trials in Cook County in spring and summer 2022 resulted in two deadlocked juries before the case settled favorably on the eve of a third trial.

    Elliott Associates v. AbbVie Inc.

    Defended AbbVie against fraud allegations brought by multiple hedge funds relating to its abandoned acquisition of Shire Plc. Attained early dismissal of several plaintiff hedge funds and then attained summary judgment for AbbVie in full, which was affirmed on appeal.

    Ethicon, Inc. and Johnson & Johnson Pelvic Repair System Litigation

    Represents Ethicon, Inc. and Johnson & Johnson in federal litigation involving pelvic mesh products. Trial in Miami federal court in January 2020 resulted in a complete defense verdict that was affirmed by the Eleventh Circuit on appeal.

    Gardasil Litigation

    Represents Merck in all aspects of products liability cases involving the HPV vaccine, Gardasil.

    Home Depot U.S.A., Inc. v. Lafarge North America Inc.

    Represented a defendant in an opt-out antitrust case alleging that a nationwide conspiracy to fix prices in the drywall industry violated the Sherman Act.

    Howard v. City of Detroit, et al.

    Pro bono counsel for putative class action brought on behalf of Detroit homeowners whose due-process rights were violated in connection with their residential property tax notices resulting in overassessments, delinquencies, and foreclosures.

    Pro Slab Inc. v. Argos North America Corp.

    Represents a defendant in a putative class action alleging a conspiracy to fix prices, rig bids, and/or allocate territories and customers in certain markets for ready-mix concrete.

    Southeast Ready-Mix v. Argos North America Corp.

    Represents a defendant in a case alleging a conspiracy to fix prices, rig bids, and/or allocate territories and customers in certain markets for ready-mix concrete and cement.

    • Associate, Goldman Ismail Tomaselli Brennan & Baum LLP
    • University of Illinois College of Law (J.D., summa cum laude)
      • Order of the Coif
      • Managing Editor, Illinois Law Review
    • Old Dominion University (M.A.)
    • United States Naval Academy (B.S.)
      • Varsity Women’s Basketball
    • Honorable Nanette K. Laughrey, United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri
    • Honorable Helene White, United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
    • Selected by Super Lawyers as an Illinois Rising Star (2023)
    • Selected for Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Commercial Litigation and Product Liability Litigation – Defendants (2023)
    • International Association of Defense Counsel’s Trial Academy Graduate
    • State of Illinois
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
    • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
    • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
    • Bronze Star Medal
    • Navy Commendation Medal
    • Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2)