For three decades, WM&J has defended professionals in a number of areas, including lawyers, accountants, architects, engineers, and insurance brokers and agents. Our practice also includes errors and omissions claims against corporate officers and directors, trustees, clergy, and reinsurance intermediaries.
Our lawyers also provide insurance coverage analysis for professional liability claims.
If you would like more information about the Firm's professional liability practice, please contact:
Peter C. John
phone: 312-443-3210
e-mail: pcj@willmont.com
Representative Cases:
Arafin v. Schude , U.S.D.C., N.D. IL. Prosecuted investors fraud, breach of fiduciary duty and legal malpractice claims against promoter of textile start-up and attorney relating to loss of investment. After settlement with promoter and trial against attorney, recovered $2.2 million.
Bass v. Katten Muchin Zavis Rosenman, et al., Cook County, IL. represent defendant KMZR in suit where plaintiff claims client failed to revoke a prior trust unknown to them since client failed to reveal his assets were in a prior trust. When client became mentally incompetent, plaintiffs claim no action was taken to revoke the prior trust causing damage to the beneficiaries since the prior trust had more of client’s assets going to charity than the plaintiffs. Case is in discovery.
Duro-Med Industries, et al v. Bryan Cave, Arbitration, Kansas City, MO. Represented Duro-Med in a claim that the attorneys failed to protect patent rights in Japan and Europe. Following discovery, case was resolved by a confidential settlement.
Kristan v. O'Brien, Cook County, IL. Represented defendant's attorney in malpractice case for failure to prosecute case. Convinced jury plaintiff could not have won the underlying personal injury case.
Bohar v. Eich & Thompson, Inc. , Superior Ct., CA. Represented attorneys in legal malpractice and fraud action brought by disgruntled oil and gas investors who lost significant amounts of money in speculative investments. Matter was successfully disposed of through dispositive motions and upheld on appeal.
City of Dubuque, Iowa v. Davis, Hockenberg , U.S.D.C., IA. Represented Iowa’s largest law firm in a legal malpractice action arising out of the theft by a trust manager of $61 million in assets from a trust allegedly improperly drafted by the firm. Obtained successful verdict for client as to claims of trustees and an apportionment of damages claimed by co-defendant trust administrator.
CNA v. Meckler, Cook County, IL. Represented defendant in claim for legal malpractice in the defense of plaintiff's insureds. Defendant counterclaimed for $1.5 in fees owed by plaintiff. Case resolved in mediation.
Marshall Gerstein v. Switchcraft, Chicago, IL. Represented Switchcraft in claim for nonpayment of attorneys’ fees in mediation. Our client counterclaimed for return of fees since the plaintiff firm was replaced for trial due to errors in preparation of this case.
Montgomery v. Aetna Plywood, U.S.D.C., N.D. IL. Represented ESOP trustees in suit alleging breach of fiduciary duties and ERISA violations resulting in a no liability verdict for our client.
Polsky v. Indeck Energy , Lake County, IL. Represented defendant in suit alleging $100 million in damages for breach of fiduciary duties and fraud by corporate president against corporation and directors. Settled during trial.
Smith, as Trustee of Boston Chicken v. Arthur Anderson, et al., U.S.D.C., AZ. Defense of corporate director and member of audit committee in $1 billion suit alleging breach of fiduciary duty. Settled after extensive discovery and while summary judgment motions were pending.
Tokyo KikaiSeisakusho, Ltd., et al v. Perkins Coie, et al., Superior Ct., D.C. Represented plaintiff in an attorney malpractice suit for conflict of interest and malpractice in claims of product dumping in violation of U.S. laws which led to a $33M verdict against TKS. Suit was resolved in mediation by a confidential settlement after discovery.
