Anthony J. O'Neill - Associate

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Biography

Anthony J. O'Neill is an associate at Williams Montgomery & John Ltd. He is a member of the firm's commercial litigation and product liability practice groups.

Mr. O'Neill serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the Center for Disability and Elder Law, a 501(c)(3) non-profit that provides pro bono legal services to the elderly and disabled in Cook County, Ill.  He is also an active member of the Chicago Inn of Court, the membership of which is comprised of local judges from the state and federal courts and practicing trial lawyers in the Chicago area.

In the commercial litigation area, Mr. O'Neill manages cases involving breach of contract, property damage, breach of fiduciary duty and securities law claims. He represents the firm's clients in complex business disputes that often involve a contractual relationship gone awry due to a difference in opinion as to the interpretation of the contract language or a breach of the contract by one of the parties. Mr. O'Neill represents both plaintiffs and defendants from the pleading stage through trial.

Mr. O'Neill also has experience in product liability matters. He was part of a trial team that recently won a highly publicized product liability case defending a propane tank manufacturer in a seven-week jury trial. The plaintiff, who was seriously burned when a propane cylinder leaked propane gas inside his van, asked for damages of $32 million. The jury returned a verdict of "not guilty" in favor of the defendant on all counts. During the pre-trial phase, Mr. O'Neill drafted motions for summary judgment, motions in limine, and other pre-trial memorandums of law for the court. He attended trial and identified specific areas in fact and expert witness testimony that were used for impeachment purposes at trial.

Prior to joining Williams Montgomery & John, Mr. O'Neill served as a law clerk to the Honorable Charles P. Kocoras, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois, for the 2008-2009 session. During his clerkship, Mr. O'Neill prepared draft memorandum opinions and orders of the court, and he aided the judge during several complex trials. While in law school, Mr. O'Neill clerked for Corboy & Demetrio, P.C., one of Chicago's premier personal injury plaintiffs' law firms, where he prepared substantive motions on behalf of the firm's clients and participated in all aspects of trial practice.

Education/Bar Admissions

Mr. O'Neill received a B.A. in classics and letters in 2004 from the University of Oklahoma. He received his J.D., cum laude, in 2007 from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School, where he regularly competed in mock trial and moot court competitions and received various awards.

Mr. O'Neill is a member of the Illinois bar and also is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

Professional Activities

Mr. O'Neill is active in various professional and civic organizations, including:

  • Chicago Bar Association
  • Chicago Bar Foundation, member, Advocacy Committee
  • American Bar Association
  • Center for Disability and Elder Law, member, Board of Directors
  • Chicago Inn of Court
  • The Irish Fellowship Club of Chicago, member
  • Hellenic Bar Association
  

Past Speaking Engagements

Representative Matters

  • Hatem Masud v. Jones Motor Group, Inc., et al.

    U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
    Represented a motor freight line carrier and its driver in a negligent action arising out of injuries sustained by the plaintiff after two cargo containers fell from defendant's semi-tractor trailer and landed onto the hood of plaintiff's vehicle.  The plaintiff originally sought $7.7 million in compensatory damages as well as punitive damages against our clients.  Successfully defended the case, obtaining a favorable settlement for our clients several weeks before trial.

  • In re Dale Prince

    The Police Board of the City of Chicago
    Acting as Special Assistant Corporation Counsel, we brought charges against Police Officer Dale Prince for multiple violations of the Rules and Regulations of the Chicago Police Department.  Tried case before an Administrative Hearing Officer and secured a guilty finding against the accused officer resulting in the officer's separation from the Chicago Police Department.  Petition for administrative review pending in the Circuit Court of Cook County's Chancery Division.

  • In re EDG Holdings

    U.S. District Court, Southern District of Illinois
    Won decision for Combined Oil Company, an interested party, in bankruptcy court litigation. The debtor, an environmental company, provided remediation services on property containing underground natural gas storage tanks. At issue was whether the contracts between Combined Oil and the debtor were executory in nature and therefore required to be held as part of the debtor's property in the bankruptcy estate. Court granted motion to reject the contracts from the bankruptcy estate on the basis that the debtor could not perform the work required pursuant to the agreements, finding in favor of the client and rejecting the contracts.

  • Leroy Latos v. Manchester Tank & Equipment Company

    Circuit Court of Cook County, Ill.
    Achieved defense verdict in favor of Manchester Tank after seven-week trial of product liability lawsuit seeking $32 million in damages. Plaintiff alleged that a defective Manchester 20 lb. propane cylinder was overfilled, resulting in a fire that caused plaintiff to suffer burns over 97 percent of his body, incur more than $6.6 million in medical expenses and die from his injuries 6 ½ years later.

  • Walsh Construction Company of Illinois v. David Architectural Metals, Inc., et al.

    Circuit Court of Cook County, Ill.
    Favorably resolved claims against a subcontractor client in commercial property damage lawsuit arising out of damages to the balconies at 55 E. Erie in Chicago, Ill. At the time of its construction, 55 E. Erie was the tallest residential condominium building in Chicago. Settled favorably for client several days before case was set for trial.