Williams Montgomery & John Ltd.

C. Barry Montgomery and Peter C. John Listed in Best Lawyers in America: Annual Guide to Bet-the-Company Litigation

Williams Montgomery & John Ltd. — 2010-07-16T13:48:23+01:00

In 2006, Best Lawyers in America established a special category to recognize the business litigators who know that only the most sophisticated courtroom skills can win the day when the fate of a business is in play. The Best Laywers Annual Guide to Bet-the-Company Litigation was established to recognize the lawyers who possess those skills.

The firm is pleased to announce that C. Barry Montgomery and Peter C. John have been selected by their peers for the exclusve privilege of inclusion in The 2010 Best Lawyers Annual Guide to Bet-the-Company Litigation. They have established and proven themselves as lawyers that large companies trust to take on their make-or-break cases. Mr. Montgomery is also listed in Best Lawyers in America for commercial litigation, medical malpractice law and personal injury litigation. Mr. John is also listed in Best Lawyers in America for commercial litigation and insurance law.

Partners Hold Leadership Roles in Local Inn of Court

Williams Montgomery & John Ltd. — 2010-07-16T13:47:15+01:00

Three of the firm's partners are serving in leadership roles with the Chicago Lincoln Inn of Court. David L Applegate is serving as the Inn's treasurer and Christina D. Harrison is serving as the Inn's secretary. Bradley C. Nahrstadt is serving as the membership co-chair. The American Inns of Court are deisgned to improve the skills, professionalism and ethics of the bench and bar. Each individual Inn of Court is an amalgam of judges, lawyers, and in some cases, law professors and law students. Each Inn meets approximately once a month both to share a meal and to hold programs and discussions on matters of ethics, skills and professionalism.

Firm Lawyers Obtain Summary Judgment in Federal Products Liability Case

Williams Montgomery & John Ltd. — 2010-07-16T12:40:44+01:00

Two of the firm's partners, Lloyd E. Williams, Jr. and Hanson L. Williams, recently obtained summary judgment in the case of Abbott vs. Maplan and Starlinger, which was pending in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Maplan manufactured and Starlinger distributed a machine used by plaintiff's employer, NISCO, to form rubber seals for automobile windshields. The machine was designed with a safety cage so that an operator could not insert his hand in the hot mold during the machine's operation. NISCO wanted the machine redesigned so that two of the machines could be used concurrently while placed side-by-side. This would have resulted in openings in the cage where the operator could insert his hand. Maplan refused to redesign the machines, so NISCO removed the safety cage and inserted a new one with holes on the sides. Starlinger learned of this and warned it was unsafe. Plaintiff got his hand caught in the mold and was severely burned and lost several fingers, leaving his hand virtually useless. Plaintiff's expert, Ralph Barnett, said the machine was unreasonably dangerous because Maplan and Starlinger knew NISCO would alter it, and they should not have sold it to NISCO. He also contended there were devices which could have been inserted in the machine to make it safe, even after NISCO altered it. The defendants' motion for summary judgment contended that there was no question of fact, since there was no duty not to sell a machine which was safe at the time of sale, even if they knew NISCO would alter it after purchase, making it unsafe.

WM&J Lawyers Obtain Outstanding Result in Case of First Impression

Williams Montgomery & John Ltd. — 2010-07-16T12:02:08+01:00

Jeffrey H. Lipe and James E. Beal recently obtained summary judgment in favor of the firm's client, Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service, Inc. in a Cook County case involving a collision between the plaintiff's sedan and a Superior ambulance. As a result of the accident, the plaintiff was diagnosed with traumatic brain injury, right-sided hemiparesis, and significant cognitive impairment. Her medical bills exceeded $500,000, and her permanent loss of employment was estimated by her economist to exceed $400,000. In addition to her special damages, the plaintiff intended to make a significant claim for pain and suffering and loss of a normal life. The case hinged on an interpretation of the Illinois EMS Act's immunity provision; specifically, whether the immunity provision applied to a case where the person injured was someone other than the EMT's patient. The court found that immunity did apply where the EMTs were conducting a non-emergency transport at the time of the accident, which was the normal course of their duties as EMTs. This is a case of first impression, and it is the first time any Illinois court has ruled that the immunity provision applies to an EMT and her emplyer when the injured party is someone other than the EMT's patient.

Nahrstadt Assumes Chair of the Primerus Defense Institute

Williams Montgomery & John Ltd. — 2010-05-20T15:24:01+01:00

Bradley C. Nahrstadt has been elected Chair of the Primerus Defense Institute. The Primerus Defense Institute is an international network of top-rated, independent law firms. The membership of the Primerus Defense Institute is composed of over 50 firms in the United States and abroad and more than 600 individual lawyers. Prior to being allowed to join Primerus, a law firm must submit to a rigorous evaluation which includes candid assessments from judges, fellow lawyers, current and former clients, bar associations, and malpractice insurance carriers. Firms must also show proof of their commitment to the exacting standards of the Six Pillars of Primerus quality: Integrity, Excellent Work Product, Reasonable Fees, Continuing Legal Education, Civility, and Community Service. Nahrstadt will serve as Chair of the Primerus Defense Institute until April of 2011. To learn more about the Primerus Defense Institute, please visit www.primerusdefenseinstitute.com.

Huntington Elected to Partnership

Williams Montgomery & John Ltd. — 2010-05-20T15:19:55+01:00

The firm is pleased to announce that Howard L. Huntington has been elected a non-equity partner in the firm. Huntington concentrates his practice on the defense of construction, product liability, transportation, commercial and civil rights matters in state and federal courts. He has successfully represented corporations, banks, and municipalities in a wide variety of civil litigation, has successfully argued before the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, and has successfully defended numerous retailers and wholesalers in actions brought under the Indian Arts and Crafts Act. Mr. Huntington received his undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois and his law degree from the Chicago-Kent College of Law.

Matthew Sorem Joins the Firm as an Associate

Williams Montgomery & John Ltd. — 2010-05-20T14:57:24+01:00

Williams Montgomery & John is pleased to announce that Matthew S. Sorem has joined the firm as an associate. Mr. Sorem concentrates his practice in the areas of complex commercial litigation, professional liability, products liability, and securities litigation. He has assisted clients with the successful resolution of numerous disputes through litigation, arbitration, and settlement negotiation in both federal and state venues. Mr. Sorem is an alumnus of the Loyola University Chicago School of Law, where he served as Editor-in-Chief of the Loyola Law Journal and represented the school in the American Bar Association's national moot court competition.

Firm Lawyers Contribute to Legal Publications

Williams Montgomery & John Ltd. — 2010-05-20T14:53:02+01:00

David L. Applegate recently had two articles published in legal journals. The first article, entitled "Sixty Years Later: Holden Caulfield, Fair Use, and Prior Restraint Under the Copyright Act," was published in the March 2010 issue of Engage. The second article, entitled "Health Care Reform: Implications for the Intellectual Property Community," was published in May as part of the New Federal Initiative Project, a publication of the Federalist Society for Law & Public Policies Studies, Bradley C. Nahrstadt had an article entitled "Preparing Clients (And Yourself) for Depositions" published in the May 2010 issue of The Practical Litigator. Copies of all three articles can be found in the "Resources" section of the firm website.

Nahrstadt Elected to Membership in Two Prestigious Legal Organizations

Williams Montgomery & John Ltd. — 2010-05-20T14:45:41+01:00

Bradley C. Nahrstadt has been elected to membership in two prestigious legal organizations in the past three months: the Association of Defense Trial Attorneys and the International Association of Defense Counsel. The Association of Defense Trial Attorneys (ADTA) invites only one defense trial attorney to be its prime member per one million in population for each city, town, or municipality across the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. An ADTA prime membership is, in essence, a statement of the high regard in which that defense trial attorney is held by his or her peers in the defense trial bar of their city and state or province. Nahrstadt is one of only six attorneys in Chicago who have been recognized as ADTA prime members.

The International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC) is an invitation-only professional association of corporate and insurance defense lawyers from around the world. The IADC is comprised of the world's leading corporate and insurance lawyers: partners in large and small law firms, senior counsel in corporate law departments, and corporate and insurance executives. Members represent the largest corporations around the world, including the majority of companies ilsted in the FORTUNE 500.

Seven Partners Named Illinois Super Lawyers for 2010

Williams Montgomery & John Ltd. — 2010-01-15T15:13:09+01:00

The firm is pleased to announce that seven partners, including all three of the firm's name partners, have been recognized as Super Lawyers by the publishers of Law & Politics. The lawyers who have been recognized in 2010 as Super Lawyers and their areas of practice are:

Lloyd E. Williams, Jr.	Civil Litigation Defense
C. Barry Montgomery	Business Litigation
Peter C. John	Business Litigation
Edward J. Murphy	Personal Injury Defense - Products
Bradley C. Nahrstadt	Personal Injury Defense - Products
Thomas H. Neuckranz	Personal Injury Defense - Products
Steven J. Roeder	Business Litigation

C. Barry Montgomery has also been recognized as one of the top 100 Super Lawyers in the State of Illinois. Lawyers are selected as Super Lawyers following a statewide poll of practicing attorneys and a detailed evaluation process that evaluates each candidate based on 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement.

WM&J Lawyers Obtain Outstanding Result

Williams Montgomery & John Ltd. — 2010-01-14T10:47:39+01:00

Peter C. John and Brigid E. Kennedy recently obtained an arbitration decision for Siemens Power Generation Corporation of "not guilty" in a construction dispute involving claims of tens of millions of dollars in liquidated damages. Siemens supplied combustion turbine generators and other equipment to a power plant that was being constructed in New York. When delays derailed the construction schedule, the general contractor sued the plant's owner for liquidated and other damages. The owner sought contribution or indemnity from Siemens. After a hearing that spanned portions of three years, the arbitration panel found that the owner was entitled to no relief from Siemens by way of contribution, indemnity or otherwise.

Firm Litigators Obtain "Not Guilty" Verdict in Equal Pay Act Case

Williams Montgomery & John Ltd. — 2010-01-14T10:42:45+01:00

Jeffrey H. Lipe and Jordan D. Shea recently obtained a "not guilty" verdict in an Equal Pay Act case tried in federal court in Indiana. The plaintiff, a wheelchair van dispatcher, filed suit against the firm's client, Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service, Inc., alleging violations of Title VII and the Equal Pay Act. Plaintiff alleged that male dispatchers were paid more than she was based on her sex. The court granted summary judgment in favor of the defendant on the Title VII claim and on the equal Pay Act claim as to two male dispatchers. The case went to trial under the Equal Pay Act in relation to a single male wheelchair van dispatcher. At trial the defendant argued that the pay disparity between the plaintiff and the male comparator was due to factors other than sex, namely education and experience. After deliberating for 30 minutes, the jury returned a "not guilty" verdict in favor of Superior.

Nahrstadt Serves as General Editor for Product Liability Reference Work

Williams Montgomery & John Ltd. — 2010-01-14T10:40:05+01:00

The Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (ICLE) recently issued an updated version of its product liability reference work. The book, entitled Illinois Product Liability Practice, was edited by Williams Montgomery & John partner Bradley C. Nahrstadt. Nahrstadt and fellow partner Alyssa M. Reiter authored a chapter in the book entitled "Motions for Summary Judgment and Appeals."

C. Barry Montgomery Recognized as One of the Top Ten Business Litigators and One of the Top Ten Business Lawyers in the State

Williams Montgomery & John Ltd. — 2009-04-20T14:36:01+01:00

Founding partner C. Barry Montgomery, who concentrates his practice on the prosecution and defense of high stakes commercial cases, was recently recognized as one of the top ten Commercial Litigators and one of the top ten Leading Business Lawyers in the state of Illinois, based upon surveys of thousands of lawyers conducted by the Leading Lawyers Network. Montgomery, who has been a member of the Leading Lawyers Network since its inception, was consistently recognized for his experience, skill and dedication in the fields of business law and business litigation when the lawyers surveyed were asked to recommend a business lawyer if a family member or friend needed help and the surveyed lawyer could not take the case. Please click here to view both Top Ten lists.

C. Barry Montgomery Profiled in Feature Article in Leading Lawyers Network Magazine - Business Edition

Williams Montgomery & John Ltd. — 2009-04-20T14:24:48+01:00

C. Barry Montgomery was recently profiled in an article that appeared in the Business Edition of the Leading Lawyers Network Magazine. In the article, Montgomery speaks about his career as a litigator and his philosophy about handling commercial cases. Please click here to read the entire article.

C. Barry Montgomery and Peter C. John Selected for Inclusion in the 2010 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America

Williams Montgomery & John Ltd. — 2009-04-20T14:24:47+01:00

C. Barry Montgomery and Peter C. John have once again been selected for inclusion in the 2010 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. Montgomery, who has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America every year since 1989, will be recognized in the areas of Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Medical Malpractice Law and Personal Injury Litigation. John, who has appeared in the directory every year since 1995, will be recognized in the areas of Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation and Insurance Law.

For a quarter of a century, Best Lawyers has been regarded -- by both the profession and the public -- as the definitive guide to legal excellence in the United States. Because selection to Best Lawyers is based on an exhaustive and rigorous peer-review survey (comprising more than 2.8 million confidential evaluations by fellow top attorneys) and because no fee or purchase is required to be listed, inclusion in Best Lawyers is considered a singular honor. The annual publication has been described by The American Lawyer as "the most respected referral list of attorneys in practice."

James P. Fieweger Joins the Firm as a Partner to Lead the White Collar Litigation Practice Group

Williams Montgomery & John Ltd. — 2009-04-20T14:24:45+01:00

Williams Montgomery & John is pleased to announce that James P. Fieweger has joined the firm as a partner to lead the White Collar Litigation practice group. Mr. Fieweger is an experienced trial attorney who has tried cases and argued appeals in numerous state and federal courts. His practice focuses on commercial litigation as well as white collar criminal defense and professional liability matters involving attorneys and accountants. He has represented individuals and corporations in grand jury investigations and other enforcement actions and has conducted internal investigations for clients in a variety of industries. He has defended attorneys from some of the nation's leading law firms as well as helped prosecute claims against various professionals. A former federal prosecutor in Chicago, Jim received his law degree from DePaul University College of Law and his undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame.

Three New Associates Join the Firm

Williams Montgomery & John Ltd. — 2009-04-20T14:24:43+01:00

Williams Montgomery & John welcomes three new associates to the firm. Anthony J. O'Neill received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Oklahoma and his juris doctorate from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. Mr. O'Neill concentrates his practice on litigating commercial disputes as well as products liability, transportation and employment matters. He joined the firm following a judicial clerkship with The Honorable Charles P. Kocoras, United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois. Anders J. Watson received his B.A. from Amherst College and his J.D. from the University of Illinois College of Law. Mr. Watson focuses his practice on complex commercial litigation, including issues relating to restructuring and insolvency, professional liability, and insurance coverage. He joined the firm after a two-year federal clerkship with The Honorable Jack B. Schmetterer, Bankruptcy Judge, United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Benjamin M. Whipple focuses his practice on defending professionals, including accountants, lawyers, and real estate professionals, in malpractice cases and on litigating commercial disputes. He joined the firm after a two-year federal clerkship with The Honorable Callie V. S. Granade, Chief United States District Judge for the Southern District of Alabama. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and his law degree from the University of Notre Dame.

Brigid E. Kennedy Recognized as One of the Top 100 Women Business Lawyers in the State

Williams Montgomery & John Ltd. — 2009-04-20T14:23:45+01:00

Williams Montgomery & John is pleased to announce that Brigid E. Kennedy has been recognized as one of the Top 100 Women Business Lawyers in the State of Illinois by the Leading Lawyers Network. Ms. Kennedy, who concentrates her practice in the defense of commercial and professional liability claims, was consistently recognized for her experience, skill and dedication in the fields of business law, insurance coverage and professional liability when the lawyers surveyed were asked to recommend a business lawyer if a family member or friend needed help and the surveyed lawyer could not take the case.

Bradley C. Nahrstadt Elected to Membership in the Council on Litigation Management

Williams Montgomery & John Ltd. — 2009-04-20T14:23:44+01:00

Bradley C. Nahrstadt has been elected to membership in the Council on Litigation Management. The CLM is an alliance of law firms, insurance companies, general counsel, claims adjusters and risk managers from some of America's largest corporations. Its goals are to create a common interest in the representation by firms of policyholders and companies and to promote and further the highest standards of litigation management in pursuit of client defense. Attorneys are nominated for membership based on reputation and may become members by invitation only.

David L. Applegate Elected to Membership in Prestigious Intellectual Property Inn of Court

Williams Montgomery & John Ltd. — 2009-04-20T14:23:42+01:00

David L. Applegate has been elected a Member Emeritus of the Richard Linn Inn of Court for 2009-2010. Named after Judge Richard B. Linn of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, which handles all appeals in patent and trademark cases, the Richard Linn Inn of Court is the nation's premier intellectual property Inn of Court.

David Applegate Authors Article to be Used in Classroom Teaching

Williams Montgomery & John Ltd. — 2009-04-07T16:00:05+01:00

David Applegate's article for the Chicago Bar Association on the state secrets privilege, "An Overview of the States Secrets Privilege in the United States" (CBA Journal, Jan. 2009) has been designated as assigned reading for a Northeastern Law School (Boston) seminar entitled "Balancing Liberty and Security" taught by Professor Deborah Ramirez.

Firm Names Two New Partners

Williams Montgomery & John Ltd. — 2009-04-07T15:48:38+01:00

Williams Montgomery & John is pleased to announce the election of Claire L. Lunardini and R. Michael McCann as non-equity partners in the firm. Claire Lunardini focuses her practice on the defense of product liability, employment, toxic tort, and commercial claims in state and federal courts in Illinois and throughout the United States. She received her B.A. from DePaul University, with highest honors, in 1997 and her J.D. from DePaul University College of Law in 2000. Michael McCann concentrates his practice in the defense of high stakes commercial and professional liability claims. He received his B.A. in finance from Loyola University of New Orleans in 1990 and his J.D. from Loyola University of Chicago in 2001.

Bradley Nahrstadt Elected to Membership in the ALI

Williams Montgomery & John Ltd. — 2009-04-07T15:29:00+01:00

On March 6, 2009, Bradley C. Nahrstadt was elected to membership in the American Law Institute. The ALI, which limits its membership to 4,250 lawyers, judges and law professors of the highest qualifications, is the leading independent organization in the United States producing scholarly work to clarify, modernize and otherwise improve the law. Since its founding in 1923, the Institute has been drafting, discussing, revising and publishing Restatement of the Law, model statutes, and principles of the law that have been enormously influential in the courts and legislatures, as well as in legal scholarship and education. By participating in the work of the ALI, its distinguished members have the opportunity to influence the development of the law in both existing and emerging areas, to work with other eminent lawyers, judges and academics, to give back to the profession to which they are deeply dedicated and to contribute to the public good.

New Book Issued by the Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education has Strong Ties to WM&J

Williams Montgomery & John Ltd. — 2009-04-07T15:28:00+01:00

In March of 2009, the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (ICLE) issued a new title in its extensive library. The book, entitled Illinois Insurance Law, was edited by Williams Montgomery & John partner Bradley C. Nahrstadt. Nahrstadt and fellow partner Christina D. Harrison authored a chapter in the book entitled "Bad-Faith Claims in Illinois." In addition, WM&J partner Michael C. Bruck authored a chapter in the book entitled "Reservation of Rights Letters."

Barry Montgomery & Peter John Listed in The Best Lawyers in America 2009

Williams Montgomery & John Ltd. — 2009-01-28T15:33:06+01:00

C. Barry Montgomery and Peter C. John have been listed in The Best Lawyers in America 2009. Mr. Montgomery has been recognized as one of the best lawyers in the country in the fields of commercial litigation, medical malpractice defense and products liability defense. Mr. John has been recognized as one of the best lawyers in the country in the fields of commercial litigation and insurance law.

The Best Lawyers in America is the oldest and most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession. For a quarter century, Best Lawyers has compiled lists of outstanding attorneys by conducting exhaustive peer-review surveys in which thousands of leading lawyers confidentially evaluate their professional peers. The curernt, 15th edition of The Best Lawyers in America (2009), is based on more than 2.5 million detailed evaluations of lawyers by other lawyers.

Bradley Nahrstadt and Jeremy Burton Author Article Regarding the Communications Decency Act

Williams Montgomery & John Ltd. — 2009-01-28T15:31:00+01:00

Bradley C. Nahrstadt and Jeremy T. Burton recently authored an article concerning the Communications Decency Act of 1996. Their piece was the featured article in the March 2009 issue of the Journal of Internet Law, published by Aspen Publishing.

David Applegate Authors Piece on the State Secrets Privilege

Williams Montgomery & John Ltd. — 2009-01-28T15:28:24+01:00

David Applegate's article "State Secrets Privilege in the United States: The Price of Security," has been published in the January 2009 CBA Record. Mr. Applegate's article traces the history and application of the "state secrets" privilege in the United States from its origins in Aaron Burr's 1807 trial for treason through U.S. v. Nixon to the battlefields of Afghanistan. A State Secrets Proection Act designed to codify and to limit the privilege died in the 110th Congress, but may yet be resurrected under the Obama administration.

Edward Murphy Speaks at National Transportation Seminar

Williams Montgomery & John Ltd. — 2009-01-28T15:26:27+01:00

On January 23, 2009, Edward J. Murphy spoke at a National Transportation Seminar in Orlando, Florida. The seminar was sponsored by the Primerus Defense Institute and was attended by representatives from national and regional transportation companies and their outside counsel. The title of his speech was "Effective Techniques in Defending the Multi-Vehicle & Multi-Party Accident."

Bradley Nahrstadt and Jeremy Burton Speak at Medical Records Seminar Sponsored by the Institute for Paralegal Education

Williams Montgomery & John Ltd. — 2009-01-28T15:22:22+01:00

On January 23, 2009, Bradley C. Nahrstadt and Jeremy T. Burton spoke at a day long seminar entitled "Medical Record Evaluation for Paralegals." The seminar was sposored by the Institute for Paralegal Education. Burton's talk was entitled "Disclosure of Protected Health Information: The Impact of HIPAA and Other Privacy Acts." Nahrstadt's presentation was entitled "How to Evaluate a Client."

Alyssa Campbell Chaired Annual Reception Honoring Justices of the Illinois Appellate Court

Williams Montgomery & John Ltd. — 2009-01-28T15:17:12+01:00

Alyssa M. Campbell, chair of the firm's appellate practice group and a member of the Board of Directors of the Illinois Appellate Lawyers Association, chaired the Annual Reception Honoring the Justices of the Appellate Court of Illinois, First Judicial District, on January 28, 2009. The reception, which was held at the Hotel Allegro in downtown Chicago, honored the justices of the First District Appellate Court and was attended by many of the justices and judges from the Illinois Supreme Court, the United States Bankruptcy Court, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals and the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Bradley Nahrstadt Publishes Article on Informed Consent

Williams Montgomery & John Ltd. — 2009-01-28T15:15:38+01:00

Bradley C. Nahrstadt recently had an article regarding the issue of informed consent published in the International Journal of Impotence Research. The article, entitled "Informed Consent for Penile Prosthesis," traces the history of the doctrine of informed consent and discusses specific informed consent issues surrounding penile implant surgery.

Bradley Nahrstadt Named Annual Meeting Chair for the DRI Electronic Discovery Committee

Williams Montgomery & John Ltd. — 2009-01-28T15:13:34+01:00

Bradley C. Nahrstadt has been named the Annual Meeting Chair for the DRI Electronic Discovery Committee. In his role as Annual Meeting Chair, Nahrstadt will be responsible for chairing the annual meeting of the Electronic Discovery Committee at the DRI annual meeting in Chicago and will be responsible for developing an electronic discovery program for the annual meeting.

Lloyd E. Williams, Jr. and C. Barry Montgomery Named Two of the 500 Leading Lawyers in America

Williams Montgomery & John Ltd. — 2008-11-12T09:58:57+01:00

For the fourth year in a row, Lawdragon, one of the leading sources for lawyer profiles and legal news, has announced its list of the 500 leading lawyers in America. Founding partners Lloyd E. Williams, Jr. and C. Barry Montgomery have been named this year to this prestigious list of private attorneys; in-house counsel; law professors; judges and neutrals; government attorneys; and public interest lawyers.

Lawdragon creates its guides to the best lawyers in the United States through a unique combination of online balloting and independent research. The firm's reporters and editors interview thousands of lawyers to get their input on the top "Dragons" in any region or practice field. It also collects votes through online balloting, which democratizes such lists, allowing lawyers who might be overlooked through traditional surveying techniques to be identified. Those submissions are then researched and vetted by the Lawdragon editorial staff.

To select the lawyers who are included on the list, Lawdragon surveys the quality of the votes an individual receives (more weight, for instance, is given to the vote of a corporate counsel than to a partner in the nominee's firm) while acknowledging the quantity of votes. Based on that combination, as well as vetting of recent cases and activity, a guide is assembled that reflects geographic and practice diversity while always underscoring excellence.

Lawdragon had this to say about its selection criteria:

      To make our Lawdragon 500, a lawyer must qualify as a finalist, our
      "first cut" of outstanding practitioners from 100 specialties and all 50
      states. We select up to 3,000 such lawyers who live up to a very high
      standard.

      An attorney generally must have practiced for 20 years, because
      endurance and sustained achievement is required. We consider
      leadership in selective bar associations, admittance to "member's only"
      trade associations and outstanding performance in cases and matters
      the attorney has handled.

Williams Montgomery & John is justifiably proud of the fact that Mr. Williams and Mr. Montgomery have been included on this esteemed list.

C. Barry Montgomery Gives Presentation On Client Development to National Defense Audience

Williams Montgomery & John Ltd. — 2008-09-24T10:28:00+01:00

On October 25, 2008 C. Barry Montgomery was a featured presenter at the annual meeting of the Defense Reasearch Institute in New Orleans, Louisiana. Montgomery was part of a program entitled "Masters of Marketing." As part of that program, Montgomery shared his knowledge and insight about one of the most important issues facing attorneys today: how to attract new clients and how to maintain the ones they already have.

Bradley Nahrstadt Was a Featured Speaker at American Law Institute-American Bar Association Webinar

Williams Montgomery & John Ltd. — 2008-09-24T10:00:03+01:00

On October 30, 2008, Bradley C. Nahrstadt was one of the featured speakers at a webinar sponsored by the American Law Institute-American Bar Association (ALI-ABA). The one hour seminar, which was simulcast over the Internet, was entitled "What's the Deal with Litigation Hold Letters? The Legal Duty to Identify and Preserve Electronic Data." As part of the webinar, Nahrstadt spoke about a variety of topics particular to litigation holds, including the federal rules and recent case law concerning the importance of issuing litigation hold letters at the onset of litigation, the sanctions that have been imposed by various courts for failing to issue proper litigation hold letters and the content of an effective litigation hold letter.

C. Barry Montgomery and Peter C. John Contribute Chapters to Book on Cross-Examination

Williams Montgomery & John Ltd. — 2008-09-24T10:00:00+01:00

C. Barry Montgomery and Peter C. John, named partners in the firm, recently contributed two chapters to a book on the art of cross-examination that has been published by the Law Bulletin Publishing Company. The book, entitled Your Witness, contains lessons on cross-examination from fifty of the leading members of the Chicago trial bar.

According to the introduction, the stories contained in this book “concern the highest form of the trial lawyer’s art…Cross-examination is the most difficult thing a lawyer does in the courtroom. Because even though it may be preceded by extraordinary preparation, it is not susceptible to being scripted. It is a live exchange between two human beings with opposing interests occurring before people who will decide who is right and who is wrong…It is the human element—the ability to sense where a person is going, or when enough is enough—that distinguishes great cross-examiners. Timing, nuance, perception—all of these result from a combination of experience and talent and help form the trial lawyer’s art.”

The book has received outstanding critical acclaim since its publication earlier this year. United States Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens had the following to say about Your Witness: “Having been in a courtroom with many of the contributors to Your Witness, I can assure readers that it would be wise to pay careful attention to what they have to say.”

The firm is justifiably proud of the fact that Montgomery and John, two recognized masters in the art of cross-examination, were asked to contribute to such an important work on the subject. Montgomery’s chapter is entitled “Cross-Examination of the Catastrophically Injured Plaintiff.” John’s chapter is entitled “Cross-Examination and Jury Ego.”

WM&J Lawyers Defeat $55 Million Structural Engineering Malpractice Claim on Motion

Williams Montgomery & John Ltd. — 2008-09-24T09:55:00+01:00

Lloyd E. Williams, Jr. and Hanson L. Williams recently won a major victory for a firm client in a case arising out of the City of Chicago’s renovation of the three domestic terminals at O'Hare Airport. Murphy/Jahn, the architect on that project, hired a German structural engineering firm, Werner Sobek (WSI), to develop the structural steel plans and specifications. The work consisted, in part, of the erection of canopies over the passenger vehicle unloading areas. During the erection of the Terminal 2 and 3 canopies it was discovered that hundreds of the welds were improperly executed, putting the structures at risk for collapse. An expert hired by the city issued a voluminous report blaming the defects on the plans and specifications prepared by WSI. The general contractor instituted remedial measures to correct the welds, and the City paid it $55,000,000 to do so. The City sued WSI, claiming that it was a third-party beneficiary of the Murphy/Jahn-WSI contract and that WSI was guilty of negligent misrepresentation. On July 11, 2008, Judge Allen Goldberg granted WSI's motion to dismiss the city’s claims, with prejudice, finding that the contract specifically excluded a third-party relationship and that the Moorman Doctrine barred the city’s claims.

Michael C. Bruck was a Featured Speaker at the Understanding the Current CGL Policy Seminar Sponsored by Lorman Education Services

Williams Montgomery & John Ltd. — 2008-09-24T09:30:00+01:00

Michael C. Bruck was a featured speaker at the Understanding the Current CGL Policy Seminar sponsored by Lorman Education Services. He spoke on the topics of "Constructon Defect Coverage Issues" and "Principles of Advertising Injury Coverage."

Bradley C. Nahrstadt has been Appointed to the Board of Directors of the Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel

Williams Montgomery & John Ltd. — 2008-09-24T08:45:00+01:00

Bradley C. Nahrstadt was recently appointed to serve on the Board of Directors of the Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel (IDC). The IDC is the premier association of attorneys in Illinois who devote a substantial portion of their professional practice to the representation of business, corporate, insurance, professional and other individual defendants in civil litigation. The organization is composed of over 1,000 members from all parts of the state. In its full compliment the Board of Directors is composed of 18 members. The board is responsible for setting policy for the organization.

Alyssa Campbell was Elected to the Board of Directors of the Illinois Appellate Lawyers Association

Williams Montgomery & John Ltd. — 2008-09-24T05:00:00+01:00

Alyssa Campbell was recently elected to a two-year position on the Board of Directors for the Illinois Appellate Lawyers Association. Ms. Campbell is one of a few members who have been elected twice to serve as Directors of the organization. Ms. Campbell also chairs the organization's Rules Committee.

Sixteen Partners Named to the Leading Lawyers Network

Williams Montgomery & John Ltd. — 2008-04-16T13:27:57+01:00

Sixteen of the Firm's partners have been selected by their peers to be listed by the Leading Lawyers Network as being among the top lawyers in the State of Illinois. These partners have been named as leading lawyers in several specialty areas including commercial litigation, intellectual property law, civil appellate law, products liability, professional liability and insurance coverage. Nominations for this honor were obtained by surveying all Illinois lawyers and asking the question: "If a family member or friend needs legal help and you cannot take the case, which lawyers would you recommend within your area of law or geographic area?" Lawyers could not nominate themselves or anyone at their firm. All nominations were subjected to three additional phases of review before the final selection for the listings were made. The total number of members in the Leading Lawyers network will never exceed five percent of the total number of lawyers in the state.

The following partners were recommended by their peers to be among the top lawyers in the State of Illinois:

David L. Applegate (commercial litigation; intellectual property law)

Michael C. Bruck (commercial litigation, professional liability, insurance/insurance coverage/reinsurance law)

Alyssa M. Campbell (civil appellate law)

Peter C. John (commercial litigation, professional malpractice, products liability; general personal injury defense)

Brigid E. Kennedy (commercial litigation, professional malpractice)

Jeffrey H. Lipe (commercial litigation, products liability, general personal injury defense)

Theodore J. Low (commercial litigation)

Raymond Lyons, Jr. (transportation, general personal injury defense)

C. Barry Montgomery (commercial litigation, products liability, class actions/mass torts, professional malpractice, general personal injury defense)

Edward J. Murphy (products liability)

Bradley C. Nahrstadt (products liability)

Thomas H. Neuckranz (commercial litigation, products liability, toxic torts, class actions/mass torts, employment discrimination, general personal injury defense)

Thomas J. Pontikis (commercial litigation; products liability; general personal injury defense; insurance/insurance coverage/reinsurance law)

Steven J. Roeder (commercial litigation, products liability, class actions/mass torts)

David E. Stevenson (commercial litigation, insurance/insurance coverage/reinsurance law)

Lloyd E. Williams, Jr. (products liability, toxic torts, class actions/mass torts, professional malpractice, general personal injury defense)