William Barr | Attorney

Accomplished litigator with more than 30 years jury trial and appellate experience. Background reflects an extensive and successful plaintiff and defense litigation record within a broad range of legal fields. Expertise spans diverse areas of law including medical negligence, product liability, corporate, public utility, construction and municipal law. Presented numerous cases before the Illinois, Indiana Circuit, Appellate and Supreme Courts, Federal District Court and the 7th Circuit. Prepared briefs and conducted arguments before the United States Supreme Court.

HIGHLIGHTS

ILLINOIS CONSTITUTIONAL LAW  

• Successfully defended a constitutional challenge before the Illinois Supreme Court to the statutory requirement for a certificate of merit in medical negligence actions.

FEDERAL LAW      

• Successfully prosecuted case by franchisee against franchisor to enforce a contractual buyout provision.
• Successfully defended disabled minor from an ERISA claim brought by her parent’s employer.
• Prepared brief and participated in arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court on an issue arising from diversity  jurisdiction.

BUSINESS LAW

• Established the enforcement of the contractual rights of a corporation’s general counsel who was forced to  resign after developing multiple sclerosis.
• Obtained (Illinois Supreme Court) a reversal of an Appellate Court ruling that held a son’s sole proprietorship  responsible for contractual obligations undertaken by his deceased father’s sole proprietorship.

CONSTRUCTION LAW

• Successfully prosecuted and settled personal injury claims ($6M) on behalf of two workers who were seriously injured when a crane operated by their foreman tipped over and knocked down their scaffold.

MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE & HOSPITAL LIABILITY LAW

• Obtained a $2.5M settlement for the estate of a woman who died from a hospital acquired infection.                                                      
• Obtained a $2.5M settlement for the estate of a woman who died from sepsis as the result of misdiagnosis.

MUNICIPAL LAW

• Successfully defended the validity of a consent decree established between neighboring municipalities when contested by adjacent land owners seeking annexation in contravention of the agreement.  
• Litigated and resolved a case between landowners and a municipality regarding the denial of building permits.

PUBLIC UTILITY LAW

• Successfully defended a major electrical utility company from a wrongful death action brought by the estate  of a private pilot whose aircraft struck an electrical supply line.
• Obtained a $7M settlement for the estate of an apprentice electrical worker who was electrocuted while      working near high voltage transmission lines.
• Obtained a $3.1M settlement for a minor who was severely injured when she contacted an electrical supply       line.

PRODUCT LIABILITY LAW

• Obtained a $2.1M settlement for a factory worker who was severely injured due to a safety device failure.
• Obtained a $3.2M settlement for the injured crew members of an off shore race boat that exploded during a  racing event.

PREMISES LAW

• Obtained a $4.1M dollar verdict (after a successful appeal to the Indiana Supreme Court), for a captain of a  major Airline who suffered a career ending shoulder injury due to a hotel ceiling collapse.