PRETZEL STOUFFER - Key Persons
Brendan Nelligan is the attorney that other lawyers, accountants and business professionals call when faced with litigation or claims for professional liability. Brendan often obtains outright dismissals in cases filed against attorneys, accountants, and insurance professionals, including recent dismissals of a $40 million malpractice claim against a local accounting firm and a $10 million malpractice claim against a local attorney. He has broad experience successfully representing clients at all stages of litigation in both the federal and state courts.
In addition to his professional liability defense practice, Brendan represents employers against wrongful discharge claims, as well as claims based upon allegations of race, sex, national origin, disability, pregnancy, and sexual orientation discrimination. He has defended employers before the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Illinois Human Rights Commission, and the Illinois Labor Relations Board, and has significant experience in connection with investigations conducted by the Illinois Department of Human Rights, National Labor Relations Board and the U.S. Department of Labor (OSHA). Brendan has defended businesses and premises owners in connection with accessibility claims under the Americans with Disabilities Act as well.
Because Brendan maintains an active appellate practice, he remains actively involved with his cases at each stage of the litigation until its ultimate conclusion. He has advocated on behalf of clients before the United States Supreme Court, the Illinois Supreme Court and the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit as well as several districts of the Illinois Appellate Court.
Brendan's litigation experience also includes handling complex, multiparty commercial disputes on behalf of major telecommunications providers in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, and he has represented corporate officers and directors against claims that they breached their fiduciary duties.
Before joining Pretzel & Stouffer, Chartered, Brendan was a prosecutor with the Cook County State's Attorney's Office from 1998 to 2003, where he tried numerous bench and jury trials. Brendan was also a law clerk for Justice Michael J. Gallagher of the Illinois Appellate Court.
Education
Georgetown University Law Center, J.D. 1996
University of Notre Dame, B.A. 1993
Brendan focuses his practice in the areas of personal injury defense, civil rights and employment law, probate and estate matters, and other general tort matters.
Job Titles:
- of Counsel
- Pretzel & Stouffer Partner
Brian Rocca has spent his career building a diverse civil trial practice. He has tried a broad range of cases, taking more than 75 of them to verdict. In recent years, his trial practice has focused on defending physicians and other professionals in professional negligence cases. He also has significant experience with product liability and complex commercial litigation.
The issues Brian has handled range from allegations of brain damage at birth to a near-meltdown at a nuclear power plant in Ohio caused by alleged poor engineering. Brian has tried many cases in federal and state courts and has also represented employers in numerous proceedings before the Illinois Human Rights Commission and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, as well as in arbitration cases.
Brian has also lectured before and presented to Illinois State Bar Association continuing legal education programs, medical groups and insurers on a number of legal issues, including trial practice; injunction and restraining order actions; employment practices; risk management; patient confidentiality; and records management and maintenance.
Education
University of Iowa, J.D. 1982 with distinction
University of Northern Iowa, B.A. 1976 with high honors
Pretzel & Stouffer Partner Brian C. Rocca, assisted by Michael A. Barry, achieved dismissal of a complaint brought against an insurance producer for its alleged failure to advise the plaintiff-insured of a Premium Adjustment Program applicable to its insurance policies for three consecutive policy years. Brian and Mike successfully argued to the court that the plaintiff's cause ...
Job Titles:
- Shareholder
- Pretzel & Stouffer Shareholder
Brian Henry is a highly experienced trial attorney with an extensive number of successful trials on behalf of medical professionals, medical corporations and hospitals. Brian has spent his entire legal career at Pretzel & Stouffer. While he has handled a wide variety of civil litigation matters, the vast majority of the lawsuits he has defended have been on behalf of hospitals, medical corporations and medical professionals. Over the last 38 years, Brian has tried to verdict an average of four to five cases per year.
Brian has defended at trial pediatricians, neurologists, neurosurgeons, obstetricians, gynecologists, reproductive endocrinologists, emergency medicine physicians, pain medicine physicians, cardiologists, internists, urologists, radiologists, pathologists, plastic surgeons, orthopedic surgeons, family practice physicians, rheumatologists, pulmonologists, critical care physicians, psychiatrists, oncologists, cardiovascular surgeons, transplant surgeons, vascular surgeons, ophthalmologists, oral surgeons, resident physicians and nurses. He has had jury trials throughout several counties in Illinois, including Cook, McHenry, Lake, Kane, Will, DuPage, Grundy, and DeKalb counties.
Brian Henry speaks at the University of Chicago Medical Center
Brian Henry recently was a guest lecturer at the University of Chicago Medical Center for emergency medicine resident physicians covering multiple medical liability topics . This was the 49th year of this seminar and Mr. Henry has been a guest lecturer for more than 30 years.
Brian Henry and Kayla Condeni successfully argued that the defendant anesthesiologist could not be the surgery center's apparent agent such that the surgery center was vicariously liable for the physician's alleged medical malpractice. Brian and Kayla argued that the surgery center's consent forms unequivocally put the patient on notice that the anesthesiologist was not the ...
Charlene Echeverria Burciaga's emerging practice is focused on defending healthcare organizations, hospitals, and professionals. Charlene welcomes the challenge of extensive research and investigation and learning the details of medicine to develop effective defenses. With her attention to detail and diligent work ethic, Charlene is a strong advocate for her clients and is focused on serving their best interests during the course of each matter she handles.
Charlene received her Bachelor's Degree in Political Science and Criminology from the University of Illinois at Chicago and her Juris Doctor from Loyola University Chicago School of Law. While in law school, Charlene externed for the Honorable Judge Matthew Kennelly of the Illinois Northern District Court. She also participated in the Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois Moot Court team and the prestigious Houston Invitational team and was an associate editor of the Journal of Regulatory Compliance. Charlene was awarded the Public Interest and Leadership Award for her work as the president of two student organizations and as a clinician for the Health Justice Project, the Community Law Clinic, and the Business Law Clinic, serving Chicago families, non-profits, and entrepreneurs.
Prior to joining Pretzel & Stouffer, Charlene was a Pool Law Clerk for the Circuit Court of Cook County. While there she worked alongside several of the Judges in the Law Division's high-volume motions section and gained meaningful motion practice and trial experience.
A lifelong Chicagoan and Lane Tech High School alumnus, Charlene enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and her dog Nube, and starting her days early.
Education:
Loyola University Chicago School of Law - J.D. 2023
University of Illinois at Chicago- B.S., 2020
Dave Bennett focuses his practice in defending and representing the amusement industry, colleges and religious organizations throughout Illinois.
, recently hosted an interactive webinar titled, Tort Liability for Drowning: Wrongful Death, Personal Injury, Defenses. David taught strategies to defend drowning and swimming injury cases. His co-faculty member for this 90 minute webinar was plaintiff's attorney Douglas J. McCarron, partner at The Haggard Law Firm, Corel Gables, Florida. Access the course ...
David M. Bennett was successful in having its Motion for Summary Judgment granted and the case dismissed for his clients, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park and Family Entertainment Center and its operator, United States of America, Inc., in Chicago, Illinois. The 53-year-old plaintiff claimed for the first time at her deposition that she skated ...
Ed Ruff and Rick Kenyon prevailed on a motion for summary judgment on behalf of a major oil refinery owner. The case was litigated for years in Texas, dismissed, and refiled in Illinois. Plaintiff suffered serious physical, cognitive and psychological injuries when a 3,400-pound transfer plate fell and struck him during a crane lift on a turnaround project ...
Ed Ruff has tried more than 100 cases to verdict, many of significant notoriety.
Ed Ruff is a shareholder and a member of the firm's executive committee, which he has chaired on several occasions. He has tried more than 100 cases to verdict, in the areas of mass tort, product liability, commercial litigation, professional negligence, fire loss, bad faith, intellectual property, and other complex matters.
He has served as lead counsel in a number of multi-district litigation matters including Stand 'n Seal "Spray-On" Grout Sealer, Menu Foods, and Pedicle Screws, developing a reputation for handling matters on a national basis. His vast trial experience includes successfully defending the former president of the New York Stock Exchange at trial in a $300 million commercial fraud claim. He recently won a $9.5 million award for contempt in a bankruptcy court, believed to be a record.
Ed has written numerous publications and has lectured for the Illinois State Bar Association, DRI, FDCC and the Illinois Association of Defense Counsel. He is frequently asked to speak at DRI seminars, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin seminars and at the FDCC's annual and winter meetings. Ed speaks on a variety of topics related to product liability safety, fire and casualty, multidistrict litigation and jury trials. He has been an instructor for the FDCC Litigation Management College numerous times.
Ed is also a mechanical engineer with a background in heat transfer engineering. He remains active in team sports, enjoys fishing and bike riding with his wife.
Education
DePaul University College of Law, J.D. 1981
University of Wisconsin Madison, B.A. 1977
Ed Ruff led a Pretzel and Stouffer team that recently secured a victory in the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, where the court affirmed a multi million-dollar judgment Ed and the team had won in the District Court for the firm's client, a purchaser of land from a bankruptcy estate, against a claim by a ...
Jim LaBarge is a seasoned litigator who advances his clients' cases efficiently and strategically. In consultation with his clients, Jim designs specific strategies and follows them to advance the client's best interests toward the most efficient conclusion of the case, whether that is by way of a dispositive motion, settlement or trial.
Pretzel & Stouffer has been Jim's home for nearly 30 years where he practices the civil defense of personal injury and wrongful death litigation in the diverse areas of commercial and rideshare transportation, construction, product liability, premises liability, and dental liability. Jim counsels and advises individuals, businesses, owners, general contractors, subcontractors, manufacturers and suppliers with great passion and focus.
Jim worked as a Local 11 roofer for one of the largest roofing and sheet metal contractors in the Chicago area during his undergraduate years, and he later ran a small propane business that provided service exclusively to the construction, manufacturing, distribution and roofing industries. His experience in and with the trades gave him a unique look into their many and specific legal needs and liability concerns.
Education
Northern Illinois University College of Law, J.D. 1990
Michigan State University, B.A. 1984
Job Titles:
- Counsel
- Shareholder
- Pat Eckler and Alex Beehler Pen Article Regarding Breach of Implied Warranty of Habitability Claims
Jim Sipchen serves as trial and appellate counsel to clients engaged in complex commercial litigation.
Pretzel & Stouffer attorneys, Jim Sipchen, Donald Eckler, and Alex Beehler, recently published a feature article in the Illinois Defense Counsel Quarterly entitled: "Another Chink in the Armor: The Illinois Supreme Court;'s Sienna Court Decision Narrows the Applicability of Breach of the Implied Warranty of Habitability Claims." The Supreme Court opinion overruled the First ...
Pretzel & Stouffer partners, Jim Sipchen and Donald Eckler, recently published an article in the Professional Liability Defense Federation Quarterly (PLDF) discussing the Rooker-Feldman doctrine and its application to the defense of actions against lawyers under federal consumer protection statutes.
Pretzel & Stouffer partner Jim Sipchen will be speaking at the Professional Liability Defense Federation Annual Meeting later this year. He will be addressing liability issues for collection lawyers, including bankruptcy and the FDCPA.
Jennifer's zealous advocacy ensures that her clients receive the best representation possible.
John Scheid is an experienced commercial litigator with more than 25 years of experience.
John Scheid has more than 25 years of trial and appellate experience representing clients primarily in the area of commercial litigation.
John represents publicly held companies, privately held companies, banking institutions and individuals in a variety of business-related matters. He has extensive experience advising both individual clients and in-house counsel on issues of risk management and litigation strategy. His practice covers many areas of substantive law including business torts, employment law, fiduciary duties, class action defense and commercial real estate litigation.
He has successfully prosecuted and defended numerous emergency petitions for injunctive relief, represented clients in the appellate courts and successfully conducted both bench and jury trials in state and federal court.
John began his career as a law clerk to the Honorable Charles R. Norgle, Sr., a United States District Court Judge for the Northern District of Illinois. John is a member of the Illinois State Bar, the Northern District of Illinois, and the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. John serves as a board member for the International Foundation for Ethical Research, and recently was a board member for his children's grade school. He also frequently teaches as an adjunct professor for the John Marshall Law School in its Trial Advocacy program.
While at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, John received a B.A. degree in Philosophy and Economics in 1990. He received his J.D. from the John Marshall Law School cum laude in 1994 and was an editor for The John Marshall Law Review.
Education
John Marshall Law School, J.D. 1994
University of Illinois, 1990
Pretzel & Stouffer is pleased to announce the promotion of John Scheid to shareholder. John represents both plaintiffs and defendants in a wide range of commercial matters including breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duties, fraud, trade-secret and non-compete disputes, insurance coverage, and class action defense. John also provides counsel to clients in business transactional ...
Pretzel & Stouffer attorneys John Scheid and Ryan Shupe recently assisted a technology sales and distribution client review and analyze the strategic value and terms of numerous product distribution agreements with manufacturers and other suppliers as due diligence for a high-value asset purchase transaction. After the asset purchase closed, John and Ryan also reviewed, drafted, and renegotiated myriad distribution ...
Katia is an eager and dedicated advocate who focuses her emerging practice in general tort defense, premises liability, construction injury, and municipal defense.
Kelly Franklin knows that each of her clients has a story and she makes sure that story is told to its fullest - whether that be in or out of court.
Kelly Franklin knows that each of her clients has a story. Armed with the knowledge and know-how, Kelly makes sure that story is told to its fullest - whether that be in or out of court.
Kelly's emerging practice spans a wide variety of areas, but she primarily concentrates on commercial litigation defense, medical negligence defense, and other general tort matters.
Before joining the firm, Kelly worked with the University of Illinois's Federal Civil Rights Clinic where she litigated multiple civil rights cases in the federal court, representing prisoners in court proceedings from pre-trial to the completion of trial. She also spent time clerking for a general practice law firm that represented clients throughout Central and Southern Illinois in civil and criminal matters.
A downstate native, Kelly is an alumna of Illinois State University where she graduated summa cum laude with an undergraduate degree in Theater and Politics and Government. While there, she began cultivating her litigation skills by competing in trial competitions all over the country and received multiple academic and competition awards for her advocacy skills.
Kelly's passion for advocacy did not stop there. Kelly earned her Juris Doctor cum laude from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. There, she competed and coached for multiple national trial competitions, winning both academic and competition awards for her knowledge of the law and strong oral arguments. Kelly also served as the President and Justice of Phi Alpha Delta.
Outside of work, Kelly strongly believes in fostering a brighter legal community. She is a member of Illinois State University's Attorney Advisory Board and regularly volunteers to judge, write, and coach trial and moot court competitions across the country.
Education:
University of Illinois College of Law - J.D. 2022, cum laude
Illinois State University College of Fine Arts - B.S. 2018, summa cum laude
Kelly Kono applies her natural competitive drive to every case she handles to obtain the best possible results for her clients. She has comprehensive experience handling all phases of the litigation process from pre-litigation investigation through dispositive motions and trial. Kelly manages every case with an eye toward trial in order to ensure the most favorable outcomes throughout every step of litigation.
As a young attorney, Kelly has gained extensive trial experience. She has successfully second-chaired several trials to verdict for high-profile medical and professional clients while taking on key roles throughout the process.
Kelly concentrates her practice in the defense of health care professionals, institutions and long-term care facilities in various types of litigation including personal injury and wrongful death. She has substantial experience defending these matters from pre-litigation claims all the way to post-trial motions. Kelly also has significant experience representing many types of employers, including healthcare employers, in employment practice matters before state, local, and federal investigatory bodies and courts.
Kelly also devotes her practice to the defense of products, premises and construction liability matters. She excels at handling these claims both in and out of the courtroom in an effective and efficient fashion.
Kelly earned her law degree magna cum laude from the University of Illinois College of Law. She attended law school as a Celia M. Howard Fellow. While in law school, she participated in the Chicago Bar Association's Moot Court Competition and served on the Executive Board of the University of Illinois Journal of Law, Technology & Policy as Administrative Editor. She also served as a judicial extern to Cook County Circuit Judge Debra B. Walker.
She earned her bachelor's degree, with the College of Arts & Sciences Honors, with a double major in Political Science and English from Washington University in St. Louis. During her time there, she was a four-year member of the varsity swim team, earning 20 NCAA All-American citations, including two runner-up finishes at the NCAA finals. She was also a four-year member of the Academic All-Conference Team and was named to the 2008 Academic All-American Team by ESPN the Magazine.
In her spare time, Kelly volunteers as a member of the Washington University Alumni and Parent Admission Program. She also enjoys skiing, scuba diving, and CrossFit.
Education
The University of Illinois College of Law, J.D. 2013, magna cum laude
Washington University in St. Louis, B.A. 2009
Pretzel & Stouffer is pleased to announce the promotion of Kelly Kono to partner. Kelly concentrates her practice in the defense of health care professionals, institutions and long-term care facilities in various types of litigation including personal injury and wrongful death. She has substantial experience defending these matters from pre-litigation claims all the way ...
Kimberly ("Kim") Flanigan is a litigation attorney whose practice focuses on the defense of healthcare providers, complex civil litigation, premises liability and products liability.
Job Titles:
- Shareholder
- Pretzel & Stouffer Attorney
Matthew Tibble handles a wide array of cases for business corporations, institutions, partnerships, firms, and individuals as well as insurance clients. While practicing at Pretzel & Stouffer, Chartered, Matthew has had extensive experience on prosecuting and defending as well as trying cases, before both arbitrators, juries and judges, involving a wide range of claims. He also has extensive experience in post-trial practice, including appeals in both the state and federal courts.
Matthew focuses his practice on complex civil litigation involving claims ranging from employment practices to professional liability matters to complex commercial disputes. His practice also includes assessing risk and providing risk management as well as general business advice, including transactional and business succession planning work.
Regarding employment litigation, his experience includes the successful defense and prosecution of non-compete agreements and trade secret litigation. He also handles discrimination and retaliation claims in Illinois administrative agencies as well as the Illinois and federal courts, including claims based on allegations of race, sex, disability, pregnancy and sexual orientation discrimination. Matthew also defends business entities before the Illinois Department of Labor on wage and hour claims as well as lawsuits asserting violations of various civil rights statutes including the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Pretzel & Stouffer attorney Matthew Tibble recently gave a webinar for continuing education for accountants entitled "Professional Liability Risk Management Beyond Busy Season." Matt presented with Joseph W. Richardson, CP, CFE, from Harper & Pearson Company, P.C., and Sarah Ference, CPA, from CNA Insurance. The webinar focused on the importance of liability risk beyond the ...
Jim Sipchen, Matt Tibble recently won summary judgment in favor of a lawyer who was alleged to have been vicariously liable for the conduct of another attorney with whom he shared office space and who was alleged to have improperly handled a workers' compensation case. The case involved seldom litigated issues concerning actual and apparent agency and ...
Job Titles:
- Shareholder
- Partner at Pretzel & Stouffer
Matt Egan concentrates in legal malpractice, professional liability, employment practices, and complex civil litigation in state and federal courts and administrative agencies throughout Illinois.
Matthew J. Egan is an equity partner at Pretzel & Stouffer in Chicago. His practice is concentrated on the defense of legal malpractice, professional liability, employment practices, and complex civil litigation in state and federal courts and administrative agencies throughout Illinois. He also counsel clients on best practices to avoid legal malpractice and employment practices claims.
Matt received his law degree from Loyola University of Chicago and his undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois. He also attended the University of Stirling, Scotland, for a year through the study abroad scholar program at the University of Illinois.
He is licensed to practice law in Illinois and is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, the Trial Bar of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, and the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana.
Matt has extensive experience with legal malpractice and attorney disciplinary matters, as he served for more than 20 years as a member of the Inquiry Board and the Hearing Board of the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (ARDC) of the Illinois Supreme Court and subsequently, as a Special Counsel to the ARDC.
Matt has tried more than 30 cases to verdict and has handled more than 50 appeals before state and federal courts of review in Illinois. His experience includes the successful defense of attorneys in litigation in the circuit courts throughout the State of Illinois and in numerous disciplinary proceedings before the ARDC. He has also successfully represented employers in numerous legal proceedings before the EEOC, OSHA, the NLRB, the Illinois Human Rights Commission, and the Illinois Department of Human Rights.
Matt was elected as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers in 2004 and has been recognized as an Illinois Super Lawyer each year since 2005. In 2017, the Illinois Supreme Court appointed Matt to serve on the Court's Committee on Jury Instructions - Civil, where he continues to serve.
Matthew J. Egan has been appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court to serve as Vice Chair of the Court's Committee on Civil Jury Instructions for a two-year term from January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2023. Matt has served as a member of the committee since January 2019. He also served for several years as ...
Matthew Ligda handles diverse litigation matters at Pretzel & Stouffer.
Mike Barry has a keen ability to digest complex information and deliver evidence to a jury in an approachable, yet persuasive manner.
Mike Barry has quickly earned a reputation as a formidable opponent at trial. Well prepared, focused and trustworthy are how adversaries, jurors, and trial judges have described Mike as he has advocated for his clients in courtrooms throughout Illinois.
In the last 8 years, Mike has second-chaired 26 medical malpractice trials to a verdict against several of the most distinguished plaintiffs' firms in Illinois. He has litigated a wide range of other matters through discovery and successful resolution, including legal malpractice, insurance broker liability, 1983 civil rights actions, general negligence claims, product liability, and personal injury matters. He also represents professionals before the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.
As most cases are resolved outside the courtroom, Mike utilizes his courtroom experiences to gain leverage in discovery and expose an opponent's weaknesses, often reducing risk exposure and efficiently resolving matters either through early dismissal or settlement, where appropriate.
As Mike's career has been focused on litigation, he has taken and defended approximately a thousand depositions of professionals, lay witnesses, and experts. He has consulted several hundred expert witnesses over the course of his career to frame the issues and refine the themes of the complex matters he litigates.
At trial, Mike enjoys connecting with jurors during the selection process. He works to build trust and never makes promises he can't keep. Jurors respond favorably to Mike as he does not hide behind the difficulties in a case but acknowledges the weaknesses and addresses them head-on.
Clients enjoy working with Mike. Mike knows the emotional toll that litigation can take on a client and works from the outset to provide counsel and to build the necessary trust and respect to develop a collaborative relationship that facilitates successful outcomes.
Mike began his career at Pretzel & Stouffer while in law school, was hired on as an associate in 2008, joined the ranks of partnership in 2016, and was elevated to shareholder in 2024. Mike has been recognized as a Rising Star and as an Emerging Lawyer from 2015 through 2022, distinctions reserved for less than 2.5% and 2.0%, respectively, of all lawyers licensed in Illinois under the age of 40. In 2024, Mike was recognized by Super Lawyers for being a top rated medical malpractice attorney, which is a distinction reserved for the top 5% of attorneys.
While in law school, Mike completed two judicial externships, serving under Illinois Appellate Justice Robert E. Gordon of the 1st District and under U.S. District Judge John W. Darrah (deceased) of the Northern District of Illinois. Mike served as an editor for The John Marshall Law Review and was a member of a moot court team.
Mike grew up in a near Southwest suburb of Chicago as the eldest of five siblings. He attended St. Laurence High School. Mike currently resides in the Bucktown neighborhood of Chicago with his wife Becky, a pediatric physical therapist, and their three children.
Education
The John Marshall Law School, J.D. 2008, cum laude
Saint Joseph's College, B.A. and B.S. 2005, summa cum laude
Lead counsel Michael Barry assisted by Brian Rocca successfully defended two obstetricians in a 3.5 week jury trial in Cook County. These obstetricians, along with a maternal fetal medicine physician and six labor and delivery nurses, were accused of causing the extreme, premature birth of twins at 24 weeks of pregnancy by ordering/administering an antibiotic ...
John Smith and Michael Barry obtained a not guilty verdict for their orthopedic surgeon client following a 7 day jury trial in Cook County. The case involved an alleged failed hip resurfacing procedure in a young woman, which required conversion to a total hip arthroplasty. The plaintiff claimed that the resurfacing procedure was contraindicated based ... December 2021
Mimi Moon is a collaborative team-builder providing creative solutions with expertise in managing changing landscapes.
Mimi Moon is a dynamic and results-driven attorney with a strong and diverse foundation of nearly 20 years of experience that she can lean on to deliver the best possible outcomes for her clients. She constantly presents creative solutions in a complex legal environment to help attain the objectives of her clients, understanding that litigation is not linear; that no two clients or cases are alike. She has consistently demonstrated the capacity to quickly and efficiently adapt to variability during the life of a case.
Mimi is dedicated to the belief that success stems from lock-step collaboration and genuine partnership with clients, as well as a deep understanding of the subject matter. This allows Mimi to better identify the ideal resources required for a case, allowing her to skillfully assemble and manage an effective team that can highlight and accentuate a client's advantages while minimizing exposure during the litigation process.
Her practice is wide-ranging, including defending individuals, businesses, medical device and product manufacturers, hospitals, health-care facilities and insurance carriers in all phases of personal injury and wrongful death litigation.
While a trial attorney by training, Mimi also excels at negotiation and alternative dispute resolution as an efficient and cost-effective means of resolving litigation. In addition, she serves as outside general counsel when required for her clients to advance the goals of the individual or business. Mimi continually focuses on proactively uncovering and managing risks and resolving conflict before litigation is even filed.
She is a committed member of the defense bar and teaches continuing legal education courses frequently. She also devotes herself to being a valued team member to her peers, while helping to guide and nurture the talent of the next generation of attorneys.
Education
The Ohio State University College of Law, J.D. 2000
Miami University, B.A. 1997 cum laude
Mimi Moon will be speaking at the Illinois Defense Trial Counsel's (IDC) seminar entitled "New Trends in Medical Malpractice: From Conflict Checks to Trial." Mimi will be speaking about birth injury cases, including a discussion on effective strategies for attacking and reducing damages in catastrophic birth injury cases. Strategies for offsetting damages will be addressed, including ...
Mimi Moon will be speaking at the Illinois Association of Trial Defense Counsel Seminar on retaining and working with expert witnesses, in conjunction with experts from Chicago based engineering firm, Exponent. She will discuss different resources for finding the right expert, the process of vetting an expert and using an expert effectively during discovery. The ...
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Pretzel & Stouffer Partner
Pat Healy serves his clients in a wide range of manners from consulting on avoidance of accidents, to responding in the moments following an accident and the aftermath through litigation and trial.
Pat Healy serves his clients in a wide range of manners from pre-accident consulting, to responding in the moments following an accident and its aftermath through litigation and trial. He understands that each client is unique and presents different concerns, needs and goals. His vast litigation experience allows him to provide advice and direction to his clients to secure an optimal outcome.
Pat has defended claims for well over 30 years. He has the experience and instincts to evaluate a claim and its associated risks accurately at an early stage and to develop sound strategies to afford the best possible defense to his clients.
Pat's litigation practice is diverse and includes the defense of businesses, individuals and insurance companies in Illinois State and Federal Courts. He has significant trial experience, in Illinois trial courts and before the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission. Pat has also litigated and prevailed in both the Illinois Appellate Court and the Illinois Supreme Court.
Pat's diverse litigation experience allows him to provide a more comprehensive service to clients. His experience in defending general liability claims, worker's compensation claims, professional liability, and errors and omissions claims allows him to provide guidance and advice to clients in a more global manner to secure optimal results.
Pat is well-respected in the legal community by fellow attorneys and judges. He has obtained the Martindale Hubbell highest rating as an AV attorney by his peers in the legal community. He has been appointed as a defense arbitrator, and as an independent arbitrator by attorneys for both claimants and defendants on a number of occasions and continues to serve in that capacity.
Pat and his wife live in Homewood, Illinois. He has four children. He has served on the Marian Catholic High School Board of Directors, St. Kieran School Board, as a Coach at St. Joseph School in Homewood and as an Insurance Director and Registered Agent for the Homewood Baseball and Softball Leagues.
Education
The John Marshall Law School, J.D. 1986
Loras College, B.A. 1983
Pretzel & Stouffer partner, Pat Healy, recently obtained summary judgment in a lawsuit in Will County involving an alleged slip-and-fall accident at a grocery store. The claimant allegedly sustained a fractured ankle which was repaired surgically with instrumentation. Pat represented a company who allegedly failed to perform snow and ice removal services on the ...
Quinn Donnelly and Patrick Healy obtained the immediate dismissal with prejudice of a Complaint against a municipality that sought to recover for injuries allegedly sustained when the plaintiff crashed his motorcycle on a municipal roadway. Quinn and Pat argued that the plaintiff's claims against the municipality were time-barred under the one-year statute of limitations set ...
Rachel is driven by her passion for advocacy and ability to spot legal issues
Job Titles:
- Shareholder
- Shareholder / Professional Service Proven Success since 1946
- Shareholder at Pretzel & Stouffer
Richard Waris is a Shareholder at Pretzel & Stouffer. He served as the first Chairman of the law firm's Executive Committee and has been elected to serve in that position several terms thereafter. He concentrates his practice in commercial litigation, defense of professional liability claims, legislation and regulatory matters. Richard serves as General Counsel to the Professional Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois. He has been selected by his peers as one of the top attorneys in field of practice and has been appointed to serve on the Illinois Department of Insurance Advisory Committee on Bank and Insurance.
In 2013 Richard was appointed by Supreme Court Justice Mary Jane Theis to her Judicial Screening Committee and continues to serve on that committee to date.
Richard is admitted to the Illinois bar. He is also a member of the U.S. District Court for the Northern, Central and Southern Districts of Illinois and is a member of U.S. District Court's Trial Bar. Richard received his undergraduate education from the University of Notre Dame and his legal education from St. Louis University and University of Notre Dame. While attending Notre Dame, Richard was the Managing Editor of the Journal of Legislation and Director of the Notre Dame Legislative Research Service.
Richard has been a member of the Order of the Barristers, National Mock Trial Team, Master of the Bench of the American Inn of Court, Chicago, Illinois State and American Bar Association, Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel (Board of Directors), International Association of Defense Counsel and the LP Gas Joint Defense Counsel.
Education
St. Louis University/University of Notre Dame, J.D.
University of Notre Dame, B.A.
Job Titles:
- Shareholder
- Pretzel & Stouffer Partner
Rick Kenyon has a well-earned a reputation as a fierce advocate who skillfully guides litigation to the optimum benefit of his clients.
Rick Kenyon has a well-earned reputation as a fierce advocate who skillfully guides litigation to the optimum benefit of his clients.
Rick is an accomplished litigator and trial attorney with over 20 years of experience, who has dedicated his career to successfully defending a broad range of clientele in complex, high stakes, multi-million-dollar litigation. Since joining Pretzel & Stouffer almost two decades ago, Rick has represented domestic, foreign and multinational businesses and professionals in a wide array of matters involving catastrophic injury and commercial disputes.
Rick has defended clients against a diverse spectrum of claims involving product liability, construction accidents and defects, transportation accidents, premises liability, negligent hiring, retention and supervision of employees, vicarious liability, professional malpractice, spoliation of evidence, contract disputes, fraud, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, tortious interference and statutory violations.
During the course of his career, Rick has developed a formidable ability to efficiently and critically analyze complex data and voluminous information. When crafting solutions to complex problems, he approaches legal and factual issues from multiple angles, diligently investigating and weighing strategic options. Rick has consistently impressed colleagues, clients, courts, and adversaries by accurately identifying the issues upon which success depends and formulating effective strategies and solutions that have achieved advantageous results.
Though Rick has handled many cases from their inception, over his career, he has also been a spearhead in developing Pretzel & Stouffer's "drop-in" practice, often successfully associating in and taking over the defense of complicated, high exposure cases at the request of clients shortly before trial.
Education
DePaul University School of Law, J.D. 1995
University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, B.S. 1990
Pretzel & Stouffer Partner, Rick Kenyon, recently obtained summary judgment on behalf of McDonald's Corporation in a personal injury case filed on behalf of a 17-year-old patron who was physically assaulted by an unknown assailant wielding a baseball bat or similar weapon in the parking lot of a franchise restaurant. Plaintiff alleged permanent brain damage as ...
On August 9, 2011, a Pretzel & Stouffer team consisting of Ed Ruff, Mimi Moon, Mike Turiello, Rick Kenyon, and Jim Gillingham obtained a complete victory for Exxon Mobil Corporation in the case of the United States of America v. Egan Marine Corporation, et. al. The case is one of five pieces of litigation arising out of the January ...
Pretzel & Stouffer partner, Richard Kenyon, recently obtained dismissal with prejudice of a defamation per se suit in a claim filed in the Circuit Court of Dekalb County. Rick defended a local businessman in the residential rental industry, who also hosts a well-known local radio talk show program where current community issues are discussed. ...
Robert Chemers and David Larson won an affirmance in the Appellate Court, First District, of the summary judgment entered by the circuit court for their insurer client in a coverage dispute with a plaintiff insurer over whether the plaintiff insurer's named insured was an additional insured on the policy issued by our insurer client to ...
Robert Chemers and Matt Ligda obtained a dismissal with prejudice, after motion, extensive briefing and hearing, of a Supreme Court Rule 224 pre-suit petition where it was shown that petitioner failed to state a viable cause of action and the discovery sought was not necessary.
Robert Chemers has been schooled in the firm's tradition of displaying a high degree of professionalism in all aspects of his practice.
Ryan focuses his practice on defending clients in complex, high stakes, multi-million-dollar litigation involving catastrophic injury and commercial disputes
Sommer Luzynczyk and Kayla Condeni win dismissal with prejudice based on lack of standing in a putative class action lawsuit against the estate of a deceased physician. The lawsuit brought in the Circuit Court of Cook County alleged a pattern of conduct extending back 29+ years and involved the alleged failure to administer routine childhood ...
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Thomas V.P. Draths
Mimi Moon will be speaking at the Illinois Association of Trial Defense Counsel Seminar on retaining and working with expert witnesses, in conjunction with experts from Chicago based engineering firm, Exponent. She will discuss different resources for finding the right expert, the process of vetting an expert and using an expert effectively during discovery. The ...