As we look forward to 2025, we would like to take a moment to reflect on the successes we achieved for our clients in 2024. We thank all our clients for the trust you have shown in us and wish you all the best in the new year.
Environmental Law
After 4 years of litigation, partner Edward Manzke and a team of attorneys from leading environmental law firms entered into a partial settlement of the Chemtool class action case for $94.5 million on behalf of thousands of class members who were affected by the chemical explosion and resulting toxic plume at the Chemtool facility in Rockton, IL. The partial settlement is believed to be the largest settlement in a chemical explosion case. The case continues as to another defendant.
Personal Injury Law
The personal injury team of partners Ed Manzke and John Risvold, and associate Christopher Gauthier had a very successful year, recovering verdicts and settlements in the amount of $14.5 million for their injured clients. Highlights include:
- $2 million – Birth injury wrongful death settlement against an Illinois Hospital for the delayed diagnosis of fetal distress and delay in ordering and performing a cesarean section surgery resulting in the death of the newborn.
- $1.6 million – jury verdict in DuPage County in a rear end crash resulting in four spine surgeries. State Farm refused to pay the judgment and was sued for insurance bad faith.
- $1.5 million - settlement for an automobile case involving a drunk driver who was driving the wrong way down the street and crashed into our client’s vehicle head-on.
- $1.5 million - settlement for the driver of an automobile struck by a semi-truck driver who lost control of his truck.
- $900,000 – settlement for a developmentally disabled woman who was assaulted at a Chicagoland assisted living facility.
- $550,000 – settlement for a man who slipped and fell on ice at his apartment complex, resulting in a mild traumatic brain injury.
- $450,000 – settlement for a man injured during a fireworks display.
- $360,000 – policy limits settlement for a passenger who was injured when the driver of his vehicle ran a stop sign and crashed into a ditch while driving home from their high school prom.
Commercial Law
The commercial law practice with Partner Rob Dawidiuk and senior associate Len Hudson also had a successful year, including the following victories:
Trials / Arbitrations:
- Won complete defense verdict in international nine-figure lawsuit in which the plaintiffs were seeking control of all of our clients properties and accounts located throughout the world.
- Won complete defense verdict in favor of an Illinois bank on multiple mechanic lien claims.
- Won plaintiff verdict on real estate litigation in favor of our client, the owner of a shopping center.
- Won arbitration award in excess of six-figures in favor of national health care organization
- Secured over $2 Million for minority shareholder in shareholder oppression litigation.
Summary Judgement or Motion Wins:
- Full dismissal of all claims on defamation lawsuit on behalf of our client.
- Complete defense win on all claims by motion to dismiss for a 7-figure breach of contract case improperly alleged against our national client.
- Summary Judgment granted for over $4 Million in favor of our client, a financial institution.
- Summary Judgment granted for over $3 Million in favor of our client, a financial institution against defendants located in Florida and Iowa.
- Won dismissal of a $3 million fraud claim on behalf of individuals sued by a bank.
Transactions:
- Documented and closed over $150 Million in commercial loan transactions for our lending institution clients.
- Closed in excess of $110 Million in acquisitions.
Sexual Assault Law
The sexual assault practice area led by associate Maggie Galka obtained a $700,000 settlement from a college on behalf of a survivor of a sexual assault that took place on the college’s campus. The survivor brought claims against the college based on allegations that the college mishandled her report of sexual assault and failed to prevent the sexual assault where other students had previously reported sexual misconduct by the same student-perpetrator.
