John F. O'Brien III - Associate

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Biography

John F. O'Brien III is an associate at Williams Montgomery & John Ltd. and a member of the firm's commercial litigation, product liability and professional liability practice groups. Mr. O'Brien focuses his practice on complex commercial litigation, including cases involving product liability, professional liability, restructuring and insolvency (creditor-oriented), and insurance coverage on a national basis in both state and federal courts.

Mr. O'Brien represents Fortune 500 companies, directors and officers, construction companies, insurers, insurance brokers, creditors, debtors, trustees, assignees and other third parties in a wide range of commercial, product liability and insolvency-related matters. He has represented clients in all phases of litigation, including discovery, dispositive motion practice, trial and appeal.

Mr. O'Brien previously served as law clerk to the Honorable Arnold F. Blockman of the Champaign County, Ill., Circuit Court.

Education/Bar Admissions

Mr. O'Brien received a B.M., with highest distinction and departmental honors, in 1999 from Northwestern University. He received an M.M., with honors, from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2001. Mr. O'Brien received his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Illinois College of Law in 2006, where he served as a member of the Moot Court Bench and as executive member of the Frederick Green Moot Court Editorial Board. He also served as a research assistant to Professors Matthew W. Finkin and Andrew D. Leipold, and was a member of the Student-Faculty Hiring Committee.

Mr. O'Brien was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2006 and also has been admitted to the following federal trial courts:

  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois (including the trial bar)
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Indiana

In addition, Mr. O'Brien has been admitted pro hac vice in various state and federal courts throughout the country.

Professional Activities

Mr. O'Brien is a member of various professional and civic organizations, including:

  • Chicago Bar Association
  • American Bar Association, Products Liability Litigation Committee
  • American Bankruptcy Institute
  • The Lawyers Club of Chicago
  • Illinois Association of Defense Counsel
 

Representative Matters

  • In re Darrel K. Ortiz

    U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Illinois
    Maximized creditor's recovery of proceeds from the sale of various foreclosed commercial property improperly and/or incorrectly listed as an asset of debtor's estate through extensive negotiations with the trustee and by overcoming co-creditor's challenges.

  • In re Raymond Professional Group, Inc.

    U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Illinois
    Successfully represented creditor sub-contractor in the recovery of more than $3.5 million from debtor-in-possession. DIP filed numerous adversary complaints seeking a determination, under 11 U.S.C. § 542, that a bank account containing funds held in trust for creditor sub-contractor were estate property. Achieved complete recovery for client after a complex and lengthy three-week trial resulting in more than ten published decisions.

  • Whirlpool Corporation v. Sensata Technologies, Inc. and Texas Instruments Inc.

    Circuit Court of Cook County, Ill.
    Currently represent client Whirlpool in product liability lawsuit brought against Texas Instruments to recover damages caused by recall of 1.8 million refrigerators. Texas Instruments is the manufacturer of the component part that allegedly caused the recall. Case pending.