More than 300 trial attorneys and Illinois judges were in attendance on the evening of October 11th as the Jury Verdict Reporter, a division of Chicago-based Law Bulletin Media, hosted its annual reception and awards for Trial Lawyer Excellence in the elegant Hyatt Regency Chicago. Forty-five professionals from both sides of the trial bar received individual Trial Lawyer Excellence awards in one of seventeen 2018 categories.

Additionally, Bill Johnson of Johnson & Bell and Barry Goldberg of Goldberg & Goldberg were recognized with Lifetime Achievement awards for their body of trial work, leadership, mentoring and contributions to the legal community.

Award Winners

CONGRATULATIONS TO THESE TRIAL ATTORNEYS FOR OUTSTANDING REPRESENTATION OF THEIR CLIENTS

Outstanding Defense Verdict in a Defamation Case
Charles T. Little, Seth Mann Rosenberg, Chicago Board of Education Law Department

Highest Reported Champaign County Verdict in a Pedestrian Case
James J. Hagle, Jeffrey D. Frederick, Aaron D. Lauter, Frederick & Hagle

Outstanding Defense Verdict in a Legal Malpractice Case
Amy L. Anderson, Sheldon A. Brenner, Brenner Monroe Scott & Anderson Ltd

Highest Reported Verdict in an Aviation Case
Donald J. Nolan, Thomas P. Routh, Nolan Law Group
David I. Katzman, Bruce A. Lampert, Katzman Lampert & Stoll (Troy, MI)

Defense Attorney Achievement Awards
Patricia L. Argentati, Mulherin Rehfeldt & Varchetto
James F. Best, Best Vanderlaan & Harrington
Charles F. Redden, Cunningham Meyer & Vedrine

 Plaintiff Attorney Achievement Award
Christopher T. Hurley, Hurley McKenna & Mertz, P.C.

Outstanding Defense Verdict in an Auto Case
Gerard W. Cook, Benjamin M. Jacobi, O’Halloran Kosoff Geitner & Cook LLC

Highest Reported Winnebago County Verdict
Benjamin A. Crane, Blake M. Vance, Stephen M. Blecha, Coplan & Crane
Darin R. Doak, Law Offices of Darin R. Doak

 Outstanding Defense Verdict in a Medical Malpractice Case
Jesse A. Placher, Andrew T. Bell, Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP
Daniel P. Slayden, Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP

 Highest Reported Verdict for a Civil Rights Case Versus the City of Chicago
Antonio M. Romanucci, Stephan D. Blandin, Martin D. Gould, Bruno R. Marasso, Nicolette A. Ward, Debra L. Thomas, Bryce T. Hensley, Romanucci & Blandin, LLC
Carl S. Salvato, Salvato O’Toole & Froylan

 Outstanding Defense Verdict in a Common Carrier Case
Jade G. Simmons-Ford, Kirsten A. Doyle, Chicago Transit Authority

 Highest Reported Illinois Verdict for Personal Injury (Compensatory Damages)
Patrick A. Salvi, Jeffrey J. Kroll, Tara R. Devine, Patrick A. Salvi, II, Eirene N. Salvi, Salvi Schostok & Pritchard, PC

 Outstanding Defense Verdict in a Medical Malpractice Case
Sheryl M. Arrigo, Timothy L. Hogan, Donohue Brown Mathewson & Smyth LLC

 Highest Reported Illinois Verdict or Settlement Since the 2017 Trial Lawyer Excellence Awards
Michael J. Freed, Freed Kanner London & Millen LLC
Daniel J. Mogin, Mogin Rubin LLP (San Diego, CA)

TOP FIRM IN 2018 JVR SETTLEMENT REPORT PUBLISHED IN CHICAGO LAWYER MAGAZINE
Power Rogers & Smith LLP