Professional Concentration:

Insurance Coverage

Appeals

Commercial Litigation

Education:

Loyola University Chicago, School of Law, Chicago, Illinois, J.D., 2006

Dean’s List each year

Loyola Law Journal, Member

Consumer Law Review, Staff Editor

Legal Extern to Hon. Judge Guzmán of the United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois

Legal Writing Tutor

Institute For Consumer Protection and Antitrust Studies, Student Fellow

Business Law Clinic
Bridgman Scholarship Award
Justinian Society Scholarship Award

Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois, B.S., 2002

Admissions:

California State Bar, 2006

Illinois State Bar, 2007

United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois, 2008

United States District Court, Central District of Illinois, 2010

United States District Court, Northern District of Indiana, 2010

Activities:

Defense Research Institute

Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel

Chicago Bar Association

Judicial Evaluation Committee, Investigative Divison

Insurance Coverage Committee for YLS

Insurance Committee

Illinois State Bar Association

Publications and Presentations:

Panelist at John Marshall Law School Tea With Friends Reception, October 19, 2010

MCLE Presentation for First American Title Insurance, Title Insurance Coverage Strategies, July, 2010

Loyola Institute for Consumer Antitrust Studies, News & Views, The States Don’t Get a Taste: Out-of-State Wineries Can Ship Direct, June 2005

Recent Cases:

Insurance Coverage Cases

United Financial Insurance Company v. Lancer Insurance Company

Court: Circuit Court of Cook County
Facts: Insurance subrogation action wherein insurer that funded personal injury settlement pursuant to MCS-90 endorsement of trucking insurance policy, sought subrogation against Lancer Insurance Company for the full settlement amount. The legal issues included interpretation of the MCS-90 endorsement and whether the settlement payment was precluded under the voluntary payments doctrine.
Result: Client, Lancer, prevailed on summary judgment.

Indian Harbor Insurance Company v. The Enterprise Companies et al.

Court: Circuit Court of Cook County

Facts: Coverage action wherein developer of residential condominiums sought defense and indemnification from Indian Harbor Insurance Company for underlying complaint seeking greater than $1 million related to allegations of faulty construction. The operative policy provisions of the commercial general liability policy included the designated premises endorsement, schedule of named insureds, property damage exclusions for defective work and notice requirements.

Result: Client, Indian Harbor, prevailed on summary judgment.

Penn-Star Insurance Company v. A.G. Electric, Inc., et al.

Court: Circuit Court of Cook County

Facts: Coverage action wherein employee/subcontractor of A.G. Electric filed suit against A.G. Electric after allegedly falling through an opening on the third floor of a construction project and sustaining head and brain injuries. Employee filed suit requesting damages of approximately $1 million. The operative policy provisions of the commercial general liability policy included the injury to independent contractor exclusion, classification of operations endorsement and notice requirements.

Result: Client, Penn-Star, prevailed on summary judgment.

Commercial Litigation Cases

Thomas Niemeyer v. Wells Fargo

Court: United States District Court, Central District of Illinois
Facts: Plaintiff, Thomas Niemeyer brought a claim against Wells Fargo alleging conversion and violation of civil rights under 42 USC 1983 in relation to Wells Fargo’s repossession and sale of Plaintiff’s vehicle after the subject vehicle was impounded by the City of Peoria.  Wells Fargo asserted that it had a valid contractual right to repossession under the Note and Security Agreement with Plaintiff and that its actions did not constitute state action under 42 USC 1983.  
Result: Client, Wells Fargo, prevailed on summary judgment.

FDIC v. Success Title Services, Inc.

Court: United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois

Facts: FDIC, as receiver for IndyMac Bank FSB, brought an action against client, Success Title, alleging negligence and breach of contract in relation to closing services performed by Success Title for a residential property. Success Title retained experts relating to standards of care in the title industry, underwriting industry and residential appraisals. These experts prepared reports testifying on IndyMac's reckless underwriting practices and loan approval and that Success Title's actions were in conformance with industry guidelines.

Result: Settlement shortly after disclosure of expert reports.

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