Ian Crichton

Education

  • Yale University (Ph.D., Political Science, 2019)
  • Stanford Law School (J.D., Distinction, 2006)
  • University of Wisconsin-Madison (M.P.A., 2003; B.S., Political Science, 2002)

Bar & Court Admissions

  • Texas
  • California
  • Connecticut
  • Minnesota
  • District of Columbia (voluntarily inactive)
  • United States Supreme Court
  • United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
  • United States District Court, Western District of Texas
  • United States District Court, Northern District of California

Dr. Ian Crichton

senior counsel

608.658.5844  /  ian@wittliffcutter.com  /  vCard  / 

Ian’s practice focuses on complex commercial litigation. Prior to joining the firm, Ian spent seven years in the Washington, D.C., office of Boies, Schiller and Flexner LLP. He gained extensive experience representing clients across many industries, including agriculture, biotech, banking, internet services, and retail. He has taken cases through all stages of litigation—from pleadings through trial and appeal—in federal and state courts and in private arbitrations. Ian has leveraged this background to provide customized contracts and practices for protecting business successes from future disputes.

Ian holds degrees from Stanford Law School, Yale University, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Ian was Associate Managing Editor of the Stanford Law Review and Sponsorship Director for the Stanford Cycling Team. After leaving Boies Schiller, Ian earned a doctorate in political science, with a strong emphasis on quantitative methods. His dissertation examined the use of legal doctrine by the American judicial system. While studying, he assisted with instruction of graduate level statistics courses.

  • Successfully represented an international bank in an adversary proceeding in bankruptcy court and on appeal. The bankruptcy trustee’s effort to claw back $6.7 billion in client assets acquired from a bankruptcy sale was ultimately denied in its entirety.
  • Successfully defended a multi-hundred-million-dollar AAA arbitration involving breach of contract and tort claims related to patent licenses. After a two-week evidentiary hearing on claims seeking compensatory damages and an injunction, all relief was denied.
  • Obtained an order for specific performance of $1.6 billion Asset Purchase Agreement of major shoe retailer following bench trial on alleged material adverse effect and misrepresentation.
  • Represented a large internet company in a FINRA arbitration alleging fraud and breach of fiduciary duty by a major financial institution in the sale of auction rate securities.
  • Represented a medical technology company in a dispute over recently acquired patent rights, resulting in a confidential settlement.
  • Advised a major ag-science company on the drafting of intellectual property licenses and related agreements.

Education

  • Yale University (Ph.D., Political Science, 2019)
  • Stanford Law School (J.D., Distinction, 2006)
  • University of Wisconsin-Madison (M.P.A., 2003; B.S., Political Science, 2002)

Bar & Court Admissions

  • Texas
  • California
  • Connecticut
  • Minnesota
  • District of Columbia (voluntarily inactive)
  • United States Supreme Court
  • United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
  • United States District Court, Western District of Texas
  • United States District Court, Northern District of California