Meet Us

Areas of Practice

• Fire / Explosion Litigation
• Subrogation
• Construction Litigation

Litigation Percentage

• 80% of Practice Devoted to Litigation

Bar Admissions

• Illinois, 1985
• U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois, 1985

Education

• John Marshall Law School, Chicago, Illinois, 1985, J.D.
• Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois, 1982, B.S.
• Honors: Dean’s List
• Major: Political Science

Classes/Seminars Taught

• Legal Issues in Subrogation, Farmers Commercial Insurance
• Subrogating Fidelity Losses – CNA Insurance
• Spoliation of Evidence, EFI-INS
• Subrogating Roof Losses – Zurich North American
• Obstacles in Subrogation – Liberty Mutual Insurance

Professional Associations and Memberships

• Illinois Bar Association
• Chicago Bar Association
• DuPage Bar Association
• Defense Research Institute
• National Association of Subrogation Professionals

Personal Information

• Born – 1960, Chicago, Illinois
• Married – 4 Children

Biography

Craig M. Antas is a Senior Partner and the President of Nielsen, Zehe, & Antas PC. Mr. Antas’ practice includes fire and explosion litigation, representing both the plaintiff and defense interests. He has specialized in product liability, construction law, and contract litigation as well.
During the past 30 years, Mr. Antas has been involved in some of the largest and most catastrophic fire / explosion cases in the United States including the Fairbank Farms fire in New York, Meridian Bancorp High Rise fire in Philadelphia, Chesapeake Cold Storage fire in Maryland, Central Storage & Warehouse fire in Wisconsin, and the 69 W. Washington fire in Chicago, Illinois. Mr. Antas has recovered over $50 million dollars for his clients in property subrogation cases and has had the distinction of obtaining the largest recovery in the history of three of his insurance company clients.

Due to his expertise and reputation in fire litigation, Mr. Antas was appointed as Counsel to the 69 West Washington Commission, headed by former White House Counsel and Court of Appeals Justice Abner Mikva, to lead the investigation into that tragic incident. Mr. Antas and the Commission rendered a final report which made over 30 recommendations that changed Chicago fire department procedures and codes which dramatically increased safety in high rise building occupancies.

In addition to his insurance litigation practice, Mr. Antas also represents businesses in transactional matters, including contract and commercial litigation, and monitoring ongoing litigation as coordinating counsel.

Mr. Antas resides in a western suburb of Chicago with his wife. In addition to being a member of the Union League of Chicago, Mr. Antas is passionately interested in soccer, traveling, art, wristwatches, and wine.

Accomplishments

Million Dollar Recovery in Kentucky Elementary School Explosion
Explosion at an elementary school that occurred one day after school adjourned for the summer. Target Defendant was the local gas company for negligent maintenance of gas company owned equipment. Within one year of the loss, we recovered 90% of the multi-million dollar loss for our client. Congratulations to Craig Antas on this successful result.

Craig Antas and firm named Counsel to Mikva Commission
In the wake of the deadly 69 West Washington high-rise fire that occurred in downtown Chicago, where 7 people died in the fire, Craig M. Antas and the firm were hired by the Mikva Commission to serve as Counsel to the Commission, charged by the Cook County Board of Commissioners, with investigating the fire and determining why seven people died who were all evacuating the building in the stairwells. The work of the Mikva Commission and Nielsen, Zehe & Antas resulted in sweeping changes in the Chicago Fire Department procedures and practices to prevent such future disasters.

Million Dollar + recovery for client in student apartment building collapse at University of Illinois
Student apartment building collapse that occurred on the campus of the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. On behalf of our subrogation client and insured, we pursued a large construction firm that was building a high-rise dormitory next door to our insured’s student apartment building. Under a negligence theory and violation of the Illinois Subjacent Lateral Support Act (addressing responsibilities of neighboring property owners during excavation of land), we recovered over 85% of our clients damages in this million dollar plus loss. Congratulations to Craig Antas on this successful result.

Areas of Practice

• Property Subrogation
• Workers Compensation Subrogation

Bar Admissions

• State of Illinois
• District Court of Northern Illinois

Education

• Chicago-Kent College of Law, 1996

• Hope College, 1993

Professional Associations and Memberships:

• American Bar Association

• NASP

Biography

Jeff Arnold has extensive experience and expertise in handling subrogation claims including commercial lines, personal lines, workers compensation and marine. He has represented insurers on multi-million dollar claims from initial inception through resolution, via mediation, arbitration or trial.  His list of accomplishments includes a multi-million dollar settlement for five homeowners whose homes were damaged in a natural gas explosion caused by a defectively installed gas line which allowed natural gas to migrate through the ground and into the basement of the neighbor’s home.  Jeff has also settled a claim for $1.45M wherein we proved environmental stress cracking of CPVC pipe was caused by the presence of glycol which was inadvertently placed into the sprinkler system by the installer.  He has significant experience in fire causation, product deficiencies (including warnings), electrical failures, mechanical failures and structure deficiencies.

In addition to his property subrogation expertise, Jeff also handles workers compensation subrogation.  Often overlooked, subrogation and/or lien protection in the workers compensation field is a powerful avenue for recovery.  He has a firm understanding of the Illinois Worker’s Compensation Lien Act and strive to protect the carrier’s lien interest by filing suit directly on behalf of the carrier or by intervening if a lawsuit has already been filed.

Areas of Practice

• Property Subrogation
• Fire/Explosion Litigation
• Worker’s Compensation Subrogation
• Product Liability
• Transportation Litigation
• Construction Litigation

Bar Admissions

• Illinois, 1989
• Nebraska
• Iowa
• United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (Including Trial Bar)
• United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois
• United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois
• United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana
• United States District Court for the District of Nebraska
• United States District Court for the District of North Dakota
• United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
• United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
• United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
• United States Supreme Court
• Pro hac vice admissions in state and federal courts throughout the United States

Education

• Loyola University of Chicago School of Law, Chicago, Illinois, 1989, J.D.
• Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska, 1986, B.A.

Professional Associations and Memberships

• Chicago Bar Association
• National Association of Subrogation Professionals

Publications/Presentations:

Mr. Bailey is the co-author of “The Factual Investigation From The Viewpoint of the Insurance Company Defendant” chapter of the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education’s Property Insurance Handbook. He has also made numerous presentations at client and industry seminars in the area of subrogation/recovery and resolution of claims.

Biography

Brian T. Bailey is a trial lawyer who has first-chaired cases at all levels of our state and federal courts nationwide since he was admitted to practice in 1989.  Mr. Bailey’s work includes protecting his clients’ rights in both the trial and appellate courts. Property and casualty insurers have relied upon Mr. Bailey’s expertise in recovering millions of subrogation dollars paid out for fires, explosions, water damage, construction defects and errors, warnings issues, and other losses. Privately held businesses, pension, health and welfare plans, county governments, and municipalities have designated him as general counsel and trial counsel.  All of his clients know Mr. Bailey as a trusted advisor and aggressive advocate for their rights.

Mr. Bailey is a Certified Subrogation Recovery Professional, as designated by the National Association of Subrogation Professionals (“NASP”), and a sought-after lecturer on litigation and subrogation matters.  He helped write continuing legal education materials on property insurance for the Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education (IICLE).   Mr. Bailey believes in giving back to his community, including serving as a commissioner on the Planning & Zoning Commission, and being elected to two terms as a municipal trustee, in his hometown. While raising four children in the western suburbs, he has volunteered as a Scout leader, coached youth sports teams, and served on boards of directors for youth organizations.

Areas of Practice

• General Liability & Casualty
• Medical Malpractice & Health Care
• Professional Liability & Services
• Product Liability
• Property Subrogation
• Construction

Bar Admissions

• State of Illinois, 2019
• U.S. District Court, North District of Illinois, 2020

Education

• DePaul University, College of Law, J.D., 2019
• University of Iowa, B.A., 2014

Professional Associations and Memberships

• Illinois State Bar Association 

Biography

Mac Beideman concentrates his practice on various areas in casualty and liability defense as well as property subrogation. Mr. Beideman’s defense practice comprises complex litigation involving medical malpractice, professional liability, wrongful death, and product liability claims. Mr. Beideman also represents property insurers and owners by pursuing damages arising out of product failures, fires, floods and other covered casualties.

Mr. Beideman has prosecuted, defended and resolved a wide range of contentious and nuanced civil actions across a variety of industries in state courts, federal courts, administrative courts, and in arbitration. Prior to joining Nielsen, Zehe, & Antas, Mr. Beideman gained valuable and diverse litigation experience by representing businesses and individuals as plaintiff’s counsel in complex commercial and estate litigation.

Mr. Beideman earned his Juris Doctor from DePaul University College of Law in 2019. While attending law school, Mr. Beideman served as a member of DePaul’s Mock Trial Team and competed in several national competitions. Mr. Beideman obtained a B.A. in Environmental Policy & Planning from the University of Iowa in 2014.

Areas of Practice

• Public Health Law
• Product Liability
• Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices
• Professional Liability & Services
• Health Care & Risk Management
• Commercial Litigation
• Class Action Defense
• Transportation
• Premises Liability
• Tort Immunity and Other Statutory Immunities

Bar Admissions

• Illinois, 1988
• Numerous Federal District Courts
• Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals
• Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals

Education

• DePaul University College of Law, J.D., 1988, with honors; editor, Law Review
• University of Illinois, B.A., 1985

Professional Associations and Memberships

• Chicago Bar Association
• Illinois State Bar Association
• DRI: The Voice of the Defense Bar

Biography

Paul Bozych is a veteran trial attorney and a skilled counselor and litigator.  He leads an accomplished national practice team involved in the litigation, trial and resolution of a wide variety of complex lawsuits and other types of disputes.

Over his 35-year career, Paul has acquired vast experience representing companies and groups in health care litigation, product liability lawsuits, class actions and lawsuits based on manufacturing, transportation, construction litigation and commercial disputes, including employment practices and employee relations. Paul frequently publishes and lectures on topics such as risk management and developments in decisional law regarding his areas of concentration. He is a long-time instructor of trial and appellate advocacy.

Paul is regularly called on to take over cases that have been prepared by other firms, typically on the eve of trial.  He is routinely asked to evaluate complicated cases for clients and to give counsel or participate in alternative dispute resolution in matters that have been worked up by other firms.  He has represented clients in state, federal, appellate courts and before administrative agencies.

Paul is admitted to several federal district courts outside of Illinois and has been admitted pro hac vice in numerous state courts on specific cases around the country.  He has successfully tried many lawsuits to verdict in the federal court for the Northern District of Illinois, Cook County and in many difficult jurisdictions across the United States.

In addition to his long history as a trial lawyer, Paul has considerable experience as an appellate attorney.  He has handled appeals before the Seventh Circuit, the Tenth Circuit and before the Illinois Appellate Court.

Mirroring his range and skill in the courtroom, Paul’s practice features a strong focus on client counseling.  He serves as outside counsel to health care institutions and private physicians, as well as other businesses, providing counseling and other advisory services.  As outside counsel to a variety of entities, Paul is likewise skilled at negotiating satisfactory resolutions for his clients, always prepared to exercise his trademark skill at trial.

Paul is married and has four children.  He is an active volunteer in his church and community.

Areas of Practice

• Premise Liability
• Product Liability
• Personal Injury Defense
• Property Subrogation
• Workers Compensation Subrogation

Litigation Percentage

• 100% of Practice Devoted to Litigation

Bar Admissions

• Illinois, 2000
• U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois, 2000
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of Michigan, 2016
• U.S. District Court District of Nebraska, 2017
• U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit, 2000

Education

• Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago-Kent College of Law, Chicago, Illinois, 2000, J.D.
• Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois, 1997, B.A.
  Honors: cum laude
  Major: Political Science
  Major: Biology

Ancillary Businesses

• Insurance Law

Biography

Frank DeBoni concentrates his practice in gen­eral negligence, with focuses on premise liability, products liability, automobile negligence and construction negligence claims. Mr. DeBoni has defended a variety of clients including retailers, restaurants, hotels, property management groups, general contractors, subcontractors, as individually named defendants.  He regularly defends clients in cases resulting from intentional torts, fall cases, construction related accidents and motor vehicle collisions.

In addition to his defense practice, Mr. DeBoni routinely handles cases in the areas of loss recovery, property subrogation, first party property coverage, and commercial litigation. Mr. DeBoni has also represented plaintiffs in a variety of personal injury matters throughout his career.

He is skilled in handling complex litigation matters from initial investigation through final disposition. Mr. DeBoni’s practice philosophy incorporates upfront risk analysis, strategic client advisement, and aggressive implementation of the calculated litigation plan tailored to achieve the clients’ objectives and goals.

He earned his undergraduate degree from Augustana College in 1997 and his J.D. from Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology in 2000. He was Selected to Super Lawyers: 2024; Selected to Rising Stars: 2011 – 2015.

Recent Cases:

Frank DeBoni and James Hoey successfully defended an iconic suburban bar and entertainment venue arising out of a lawsuit involving the tragic deaths of both the deceased Plaintiff and the Allegedly Intoxicated Person (AIP). In this wrongful death case, the AIP entered his vehicle upon exiting the train after a pub crawl. The AIP allegedly crossed the center line of the roadway and collided with the Plaintiff deceased’s vehicle. The case was litigated in McHenry County, Illinois.

Frank DeBoni & Jack Murphy successfully defended a punitive damages claim brought against a world renowned 5-Star Luxury Hotel in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Despite the Plaintiff’s allegations of willful and wanton conduct, Mr. DeBoni & Mr. Murphy were able to demonstrate that the hotel had no prior notice of the alleged condition that caused Plaintiff’s injuries. After a four-day trial, the jury returned a “no liability” verdict. The case was then appealed, and the verdict upheld.

Frank DeBoni obtained Summary Judgement for his client, in a premises liability action brought by a pedestrian injured at a downtown Chicago church and parish.

Frank DeBoni and James Hoey successfully defended a well-known Chicago late night bar and dance club in a lawsuit arising out of an altercation between two men resulting in serious injuries to an innocent female bystander. The client was sued for alleged security and premises liability.

Frank DeBoni obtained dismissal of his client, a Japanese company, when the U.S. Dist. Ct. for the Eastern Dist. of Michigan granted his client’s Motion to Dismiss challenging personal jurisdiction pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(2)

Frank DeBoni obtained dismissal of two Japanese corporations after challenging personal jurisdiction in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Law Division.

Areas of Practice

• Property Subrogation
• Breach of Contract
• Insurance Liability
• Statutory Rights and Duties

Bar Admissions

• Illinois, 2016
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois, 2016

Education

• The John Marshall Law School, Chicago, Illinois, J.D., 2016
• CALI Excellence for the Future Award: Payment Systems – Spring 2016
• Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL, B.A. 2012
• Major: Political Science
• Minor: Pre-Law

Published Works

• The Building Blocks of Copyright Protection for Architectural Works: Roadblock or Masterpiece?, 14 J. Marshall Rev. Intell. Prop. L. 607 (2015).

Professional Associations and Memberships

• Chicago Bar Association
• American Bar Association
• Phi Alpha Delta legal fraternity

Biography

Vaughn A. Drozd is a partner with Nielsen, Zehe & Antas P.C. Mr. Drozd deals primarily with real property subrogation, breach of contract, and insurance liability matters. Mr. Drozd has been with the Firm since November, 2015, where he worked as a law clerk while attending law school full-time.

Mr. Drozd graduated from The John Marshall Law School in 2016. During law school, Mr. Drozd was a member of The John Marshall Review of Intellectual Property Law Executive Board, Moot Court Executive Board, Phi Alpha Delta legal fraternity. Mr. Drozd was also part of the dean’s list throughout law school and had his law review article published in 2015. Mr. Drozd also competed in the Albert R. Mugel National Moot Tax Moot Court Competition in Buffalo, New York. Mr. Drozd graduated from Eastern Illinois University in 2012 and was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity.

Mr. Drozd was admitted to the Illinois State Bar and the Northern District of Illinois in 2016 and is a member of the American Bar Association and Chicago Bar Association.

Areas of Practice

• National Civil Litigation
• Personal Injury
• Product Liability (Construction Equipment; Mining; Cranes)
• Mediation
• Transportation (Heavy Trucks; Railroads)
• Insurance
• General Liability

Litigation Percentage

• 100% of Practice Devoted to Litigation

Bar Admissions

• Illinois, 1979
• United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, 1979
• United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, 1981
• Trial Bar of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, 1982
• United States Supreme Court, 1985
• United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin, 1988
• United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, 1988
• United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana. 1999
• United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, 2000
• United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois, 2000
• United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, 2006
• United States District of Columbia Court of Appeals, 2014
• United States District Court for the District of Wyoming, 2014
• United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, 2015
• Pro hac vice appearances in California, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Wisconsin, and Wyoming

Education

• DePaul University College of Law, J.D., 1979
• DePaul University, B.A. with Honors, 1976

Professional Associations and Memberships

• Chicago Bar Association
• Union League Club
• Sauganash Park Community Association

Biography

John M. Dugan is a partner at Nielsen, Zehe & Antas, P.C. Mr. Dugan has extensive experience in the handling of all forms of wrongful death and substantial injury tort litigation. He has represented businesses, individuals, and municipalities in a variety of complex litigation, including personal injury, product liability, transportation, general liability, FELA, and commercial disputes. Many of the lawsuits involved multimillion-dollar claims that include catastrophic injury and/or wrongful death. He specializes in the defense of international manufacturers in product liability matters. He has never experienced a product he has not been able to comprehensively understand, which has served him well at trial.

Mr. Dugan has suffered a multimillion dollar adverse verdict, but has also enjoyed numerous complete victories in multimillion dollar injury and death cases. He has also demonstrated an ability to resolve cases before trial without settlement payment by his clients.

If you are a manufacturer facing a complex claim, you are welcome to contact Mr. Dugan and he will arrange to meet with you at your convenience.

Areas of Practice

• General Liability & Casualty
• Medical Malpractice & Health Care
• Municipal/Local Government
• Constitutional Law
• Product Liability
• Professional Liability & Services
• Construction

Bar Admissions

• State of Illinois, 2019
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois, 2020
• U.S. District Court, Southern District of Illinois, 2021

Education 

• The John Marshall Law School, J.D., 2019, cum laude
• University of Miami, 2015, magna cum laude

Published Works

• Plea Negotiations: Why the Presumption of Waiver Does Not Apply to Federal Rule of Evidence 410

Professional Associations and Memberships

• Chicago Bar Association
• Illinois State Bar Association

Biography

Kyle Fleck focuses his practice on the defense of individuals, corporations, public entities, not-for-profit organizations, and municipalities in cases involving complex tort, medical malpractice, wrongful death, construction, product liability, and constitutional law.

Prior to joining Nielsen, Zehe & Antas, Mr. Fleck previously worked as plaintiff’s attorney where he primarily focused on nursing home care law and gained valuable experience in handling cases from their inception and frequently resolved cases by way of pre-suit settlements, arbitrations, mediations, and dispositive motion practice.

Mr. Fleck obtained his Juris Doctor, cum laude, from The John Marshall Law School in 2019.  While attending law school, he externed for (FMR) Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court, Justice Thomas L. Kilbride.  Mr. Fleck was also an editor of the John Marshall Law Review where his article was published and competed in several national Moot Court competitions.  Mr. Fleck received his undergraduate degree, magna cum laude, from the University of Miami in 2016.

Areas of Practice

• Insurance Subrogation
• Product Liability
• Construction Litigation

Litigation Percentage

• 100% of Practice Devoted to Litigation

Bar Admissions

• Illinois, 2002
• U.S. Northern District Court of Illinois, 2006
• U.S. Central District Court of Illinois, 2011

Education

• Chicago Kent College of Law, Chicago, Illinois, J.D., 2002
• Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, B.A., 1998
• Major: Communications
• Minor: Supervision and Psychology

Professional Associations and Memberships

• Chicago Bar Association

Biography

Michael J. Griffin is a partner with Nielsen, Zehe, & Antas, P.C. His areas of practice include large property subrogation, product liability, construction litigation, and workers’ compensation subrogation.

Mr. Griffin received his Juris Doctor from Chicago Kent College of Law in 2002. He was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2002, the Northern District of Illinois in 2006, and the Central District of Illinois in 2011. Mr. Griffin has been admitted pro hac vice in numerous jurisdictions throughout the United States.

Prior to joining Nielsen, Zehe & Antas, Mr. Griffin was associated with another Chicago law firm where his experience included extensive subrogation practice concentrating in large property loss claims. Additionally, after law school, Mr. Griffin served as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney for four years in the Traffic Division and Narcotics Prosecutions Bureau where he successfully tried several cases to verdict.

Mr. Griffin resides in the southwest suburbs of Chicago with his wife and three sons.

Areas of Practice

• General Liability & Casualty
• Medical Malpractice & Health Care
• Product Liability
• Professional Liability & Services

Bar Admissions

• Illinois, 2001
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois

Education

• Washington University in St. Louis School of Law, J.D., 2001
• University of Wisconsin–Madison, B.A., 1998

Awards

• Emerging Lawyers, 2015-2017

Biography

Betsy Grover concentrates her practice on various areas in casualty, commercial and insurance related litigation. She focuses on complex litigation involving medical malpractice, physical and sexual abuse, professional liability, and product liability claims, as well as construction, transportation, and premises disputes.  An experienced litigator, Betsy has litigated, as lead counsel, numerous jury trials to verdict in Cook and surrounding counties.  Betsy has also served as lead counsel for more than 100 arbitrations and routinely represents clients at mediation.

Prior to joining Nielsen, Zehe, & Antas, Betsy was with a Chicago firm that services insurers and businesses throughout the United States and around the world.   She has represented domestic and international clients.  Betsy also has experience in the areas of liability issues such as personal injury, premises liability, employee dishonesty, mortgage fraud and dram shop cases. In addition, Betsy has handled cases and claims involving discrimination, harassment, and school suspensions. 

Representative Matters

Obtained defense verdict for hospital and obstetrical providers in a claim that negligence resulted in a neurological injury to a child, causing profound brain damage and spastic quadriplegia.

Obtained defense verdict for orthopedic surgeon in a medical malpractice case involving an allegedly misplaced and loosened prosthesis, requiring replacement surgery within 11 months of the original surgery.

Obtained defense verdict for plastic surgeon in a medical malpractice case involving permanent facial scarring following a brow lift procedure.

Obtained defense verdict for three gastroenterologists following death of a 58-year-old woman from mesenteric ischemia.

Obtained directed verdict for on-call general surgeon in a case of a 56-year-old patient who bled to death in the emergency room.

Obtained defense verdict for ENT surgeon following the death of a patient who exsanguinated after neck surgery.

Areas of Practice

• Insurance Defense
• Product Liability Defense
• Appeals
• Loss Prevention and Risk Management Counseling
• Contract Preparation
• Insurance Coverage Analysis

Litigation and Appellate Practice Percentage

• 90% of Practice Devoted to Litigation

Bar Admissions

• llinois, 1984
• Trial Bar for the Northern District of Illinois
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
• Numerous U.S. District Courts

Education

• DePaul School of Law, Chicago, Illinois, 1984, J.D.
• llinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, Illinois, 1977, B.A., summa cum laude

Professional Associations and Memberships

• Illinois Bar Association
• Chicago Bar Association
• Union League Club

Biography

Jeffrey W. Gunn is a partner at Nielsen, Zehe & Antas, P.C. Although he practices in the board field of insurance defense, he specializes in the defense of manufacturers in product liability matters.

For more than 30 years, Mr. Gunn has litigated in behalf of manufacturers of such diverse products as die cutting machines, printing presses, motorcycle helmets, mining vehicles, rock crushing machines, agricultural equipment, overhead conveying systems, continuous casters of liquid steel, elevators, gas heating systems for industrial ovens, commercial truck wheel assembly and braking systems, and grommets for automotive engines, to name a few. Most frequently of late, however, he has litigated cases involving mobile industrial machinery, such as heavy-duty trucks, mobile cranes, tower cranes, road-milling machines, soil stabilizing machines, compact rollers, and the like.

Mr. Gunn has prepared and argued numerous dispositive motions, which he considers a central, defining factor in the resolution of nearly all the cases he litigates. Many such motions have resulted in published decisions. He has participated in many trials that have proceeded to verdict. And he has been lead counsel in numerous appeals filed in many state and federal courts.

In addition to litigation, Mr. Gunn counsels clients in risk management and loss prevention matters, and assists them in creating practices and procedures that have as their goal the reduction of incidents that may lead to lawsuits. He also is involved in the preparation of contracts related to products, such as dealership agreements.

Mr. Gunn also provides opinions on coverage issues regarding general commercial liability and property insurance policies.

Mr. Gunn lives in a suburb not too far from Chicago with his wife, who is also an attorney. They have two children (also attorneys) who live nearby, and two grandchildren (who are too young to spell “attorney”).

Areas of Practice

• Contracts
• Construction Law
• Insurance Subrogation
• Property & Casualty
• Products Liability Law
• Transportation Law

Litigation Percentage

• 100% of Practice Devoted to Litigation

Bar Admissions

• Illinois, 1991
• U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois, 2000
• U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit, 1994

Education

• University of Illinois College of Law, Champaign, Illinois, 1991,J.D.
• Honors: American Jurisprudence Award-Torts
• University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 1989, B.A.Ec.
• Bachelor of Arts in Economics

Professional Associations and Memberships

• Chicago Bar Association
• American Trial Lawyers Association

Biography

Patrick Hess is a Partner at Nielsen, Zehe & Antas, P.C. Mr. Hess concentrates his litigation practice on cases involving significant property damage. He frequently represents property insurers and owners in their efforts to recover damages resulting from fires, explosions, floods and other covered casualties. In 2016, Mr. Hess recovered more than $5,800,000 for the firm’s clients and, since joining the firm in 2001, he has recovered nearly $100 million dollars.

Mr. Hess has significant experience in cases involving the design, manufacture/construction and maintenance of products, buildings and building systems. He has litigated cases in more than 30 states, ranging from a restaurant fire in Ohio, to a wild-land fire in California, to an explosion at a cattle ranch in Colorado. He has tried cases in California, Illinois, Wisconsin and Missouri, including several trials lasting longer than four weeks. He has argued appeals before and federal courts. In 2007, Mr. Hess and partner Jeffrey Zehe obtained a $63,335,000 judgment in favor of their client in the Wisconsin construction defect/product liability case of Quad/Graphics, Inc., et. al v. HK Systems, Inc., et. al. He has spoken to industry group on a variety of litigation topics, including the economic loss doctrine, spoliation of evidence and municipal self-insurance pools.

Mr. Hess lives in Oak Park, Illinois, with his wife Stacey and their three children. He is an active volunteer in church and youth sports activities.

Areas of Practice

• First Party Property
• Professional Liability & Services
• Construction Litigation
• Premises Liability
• Product Liability
• Defense of School Districts
• Dram Shop Liability

Bar Admissions

• Illinois, 1977
• Numerous Federal Districts Courts
• U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Registered Patent Attorney, 1978

Education

• Loyal University of Chicago, J.D., 1977
• Purdue University, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, 1974

Memberships

• Illinois State Bar Association
• Chicago Bar Association

Biography

Jim Hoey is a seasoned trial attorney with an engineer background and forty plus years of experience.

Jim specializes in insurance defense primarily involving first party property and liability defense matters. He has handled cases throughout the United States.

He has extensive experience with Alternative Dispute Resolutions, including arbitrations and mediations.

Jim has four daughters. He and his family live within blocks of Wrigley Field and are avid Cubs fans.

Areas of Practice

• Property Subrogation
• Property Insurance Coverage
• Workers Compensation Subrogation
• Construction Litigation
• Product Liability
• Warehouse/Transportation Law

Bar Admissions

• Illinois, 1990
• U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois
• Trial Bar, U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois
• Pro hac vice throughout the United States

Education

• John Marshall Law School, 1990, J.D.
• Honors: cum laude
• Editorial Board of the Law Review

Professional Associations and Memberships

• Chicago Bar Association

Biography

Mr. Katalinic’s litigation practice includes extensive trial work, representing the interests of both plaintiffs and defendants. He has represented insurance clients in complex subrogation matters as well as in first-party, property insurance cases.

Mr. Katalinic’s subrogation practice has taken him to jurisdictions throughout the United States where he has represented subrogated insurers and often times uninsured or underinsured corporations. He has personally conducted and supervised countless loss site investigations,

beginning with the initial retention of experts and ending with the preservation of crucial evidence for future use at trial. His record of success includes many recoveries in excess of $1 million.

Additionally, Mr. Katalinic has successfully litigated many cases involving claims by and against warehousemen, shippers, carriers and freight forwarders. He represented a warehouseman that owns a large refrigerated warehouse in relation to a fire that caused over $25 million in damage to the warehouse and to the goods of the depositors stored in the warehouse, assisting in all aspects of the claim including defense and insurance coverage related issues. He has also successfully litigated issues relating to limitations in warehouse receipts and bills of lading.

He has also been actively involved in commercial and construction related litigation in addition to providing a defense in a variety of casualty matters. His construction practice has involved disputes between owners and contractors or among various contractors on large commercial projects. He has handled casualty matters involving both property damage and personal injury.

In the first-party property insurance area, Mr. Katalinic has represented clients in technical coverage claims as well as providing overall policy interpretation services. Mr. Katalinic participated in the defense of an insurer in the trial of a claim by the owner of a high rise damaged by fire in Wilmington, Delaware in which the owner sought over $100 million in damages. The trial lasted over four weeks and the claim was settled at a fraction of the claim amount shortly before closing arguments.

In addition to his trial work, Mr. Katalinic’s subrogation experience includes alternative dispute resolution. He has successfully handled matters in the context of arbitration and mediation, both voluntary and court ordered.

Areas of Practice

• Product Liability
• Construction Law
• Civil Rights Defense
• Municipal Liability Defense
• Commercial Litigation
• Medical Malpractice & Health Care
• Professional Liability & Services
• Transportation

Bar Admissions

• Illinois, 1997
• U.S. District Court, Northern and Central Districts of Illinois

Education

• DePaul University College of Law, J.D., 1997, member, DePaul Business Law Journal
• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, B.A., 1994

Professional Associations and Memberships

• Illinois Bar Association
• Chicago Bar Association
• Lake County Bar Association
• Illinois Defense Counsel
• German-American Chamber of Commerce
• Northwest Suburban Bar Association
• CLM
• IRMI

Biography

Brad Krause represents businesses and individuals in a variety of complex legal matters and claims, including construction, project development, product liability, medical malpractice, transportation, general tort liability, professional malpractice and commercial disputes. Many of the lawsuits involve multimillion-dollar claims that include catastrophic injury, wrongful death and commercial disputes. Although an accomplished litigator, Brad recognizes that not all disputes need to be resolved by trial. He works with his clients to determine if settlement, alternative dispute resolution or trial represents the best and most efficient course of action to achieve a desired result. Through the years, Brad has successfully resolved many cases by way of summary judgment, arbitration and mediation. Early in his career, Brad practiced law as an assistant state’s attorney in Lake County, Illinois, and in private practice. As a prosecutor, Brad successfully argued countless motions and tried dozens of bench and jury trials to verdict. While in private practice, he represented taxpayers and businesses facing criminal and civil accusations by the IRS in Federal Tax Court and administrative hearings.

Construction

Brad represents owners, general contractors and subcontractors with respect to pre-project negotiations and development, insurance analysis, OSHA representation, construction defect, bodily injury defense and commercial litigation. He has represented owners, architects, engineers and surveyors in a full range of real estate–related and construction-related disputes, including claims involving buyers and sellers in disputes arising from the purchase and sale of real property, breach of contract, title disputes, boundary encroachments and fraud claims. Brad’s objective is to provide counsel to his clients to avoid litigation if possible and provide a quick, efficient and practical resolution through pre-litigation negotiation, mediation, arbitration or trial.

Product Liability

Brad’s product liability practice includes the nationwide representation of manufacturers, distributors, and retailers of industrial and consumer products. His clients are located throughout Europe, Asia and North America. In addition to Illinois, Brad has represented clients in jurisdictions throughout the country, including Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey, Nevada, Washington and Wisconsin. Brad has defended manufacturers, distributors and retailers of heavy construction equipment, industrial equipment, tires, home appliances, recreation vehicles, fueling gels and gas cans against claims alleging strict product liability, negligence, failure to warn and other theories of liability. Brad also counsels companies to help them develop effective risk management programs that enable manufacturers to pinpoint product risks to develop and implement programs to address these risks before a costly recall or injury occurs.

Professional Malpractice

Brad’s practice further encompasses professional malpractice defense, which includes the representation of municipalities, law enforcement, school districts, construction professionals, doctors, nurses, therapists, clinics, social workers and hospitals in medical negligence litigation. He has successfully defended these institutions and personnel in lawsuits involving wrongful conviction, wrongful death, and birth injury. Brad has also represented insurance agents, brokers, attorneys, accountants and design professionals in professional liability matters.

Areas of Practice

• Property Subrogation
• Insurance Liability
• Commercial Litigation

Bar Admissions

• Illinois, 2019

Education

• University of Illinois College of Law, Urbana-Champaign, IL, 2018
• University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL, 2015  / Major:  Agricultural Communications – Advertising

Professional Associations and Memberships

• Illinois State Bar Association
• Chicago Bar Association

Biography

Mr. Leszczynski is a contract attorney at Nielsen, Zehe & Antas, where he concentrates his practice in Property Subrogation and Insurance Liability matters. He joined the firm in November 2018. Prior to joining Nielsen, Zehe & Antas, Mr. Leszczynski gained valuable, diverse experience assisting attorneys in personal injury, worker’s compensation, and intellectual property matters.

Mr. Leszczynski earned a B.A. in Agricultural Communications focused in Advertising from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He went on to earn his Juris Doctor from The University of Illinois College of Law.

Mr. Leszczynski is admitted to the Illinois State bar and is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association, as well as the Chicago Bar Association.

Areas of Practice

• Trial & Appellate Practice
• Property Subrogation
• Construction Litigation
• Products Liability
• General Liability & Casualty
• Municipal/Local Government
• Constitutional Law

Litigation Percentage

• 100% of Practice Devoted to Litigation

Bar Admissions

• Illinois, 2014
• U.S. District Court, Northern, Central & Southern Districts of Illinois
• U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan
• U.S. Court of Appeals, 8th Circuit

Education

• Chicago-Kent College of Law, J.D., 2014
• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, B.A., 2011
• Major: Economics

Professional Associations and Memberships

• Chicago Bar Association
• Illinois Bar Association
• National Association of Subrogation Professionals

Biography

Jenna L. Mahoney is a partner with Nielsen, Zehe & Antas, P.C., where she concentrates her practice in property subrogation and casualty defense. Jenna frequently represents property insurers and owners for damages arising out of product failures, fires, floods, construction defects and other covered casualties. In addition, she serves as defense counsel in a variety of areas including premise liability, product liability, municipal and school liability, and civil rights claims.

Jenna’s experience advocating for both plaintiffs and defendants provides her with an invaluable perspective that results in favorable outcomes for her clients. She is skilled in handling complex litigation matters from their inception through final disposition, routinely resolving cases through pre-suit settlements, alternate dispute resolution, and motion practice.

Jenna is admitted to practice in Illinois and several federal district and appellate courts. She has also been admitted pro hac vice in numerous courts on specific cases throughout the country. Additionally, Jenna has considerable experience as an appellate attorney and has handled appeals before the Illinois Supreme and Appellate Courts, the Eighth Circuit, and Ohio District Courts of Appeals.

Jenna is a member of the Chicago Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association, National Association of Subrogation Professionals and serves as a Chicago-Kent Alumni Ambassador. She received her Juris Doctor from Chicago-Kent College of Law in 2014 and began her career at the firm in 2012 as a law clerk.

Areas of Practice

• Commercial Litigation
• Insurance Coverage
• Property Subrogation

Bar Admissions

• Illinois, 1971
• U.S. Northern District of Illinois 1971
• U.S. Northern District of Indiana 2001

Education

• Marquette University – Bachelor of Structural Engineering, 1967
• The John Marshall Law School, J.D. 1971 with honors, where he was a member of the Law Review

Professional Associations and Memberships

• Chicago Bar Association

Former Membership

• Illinois State Bar Association
• International Association of Defense Counsel
• Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel
• Defense Research Institute
• National Association of Subrogation Professionals

Presentations and Co-Publications

• “Subrogation.” Property Insurance, Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (1990 ed.)
• “General Nature & Behavior of Fire.” Attorney General Arson Training & Prosecution Manual (1998 ed.)

Biography

Mr. McCabe has an “AV” rating (Preeminent) with Martindale Hubbell indicating the highest ranking in legal ability and ethical standards as determined by his peers in the legal community.

John B. McCabe is an active trial attorney. He currently manages and tries major cases nationally. Mr. McCabe has been admitted pro hac vice in many jurisdictions throughout the United States. Mr. McCabe has lectured for the American Bar Association, the International Association of Defense Counsel, Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel, various bar associations, the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, The Property Loss Research Bureau, and insurance and adjusting company training seminars on such issues as products liability, spoliation of evidence, use of experts, subrogation, economic loss, arson, bad faith, and environmental matters. Mr. McCabe has also authored various articles on the same topics. He has also lectured on “Tortious Damage to Business Property” and “Subrogation and Self-Insurance” for the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education. Mr. McCabe is counsel to the National Association of Independent Insurance Adjusters.

Areas of Practice

• General Liability & Casualty
• Medical Malpractice & Health Care
• Property Subrogation

Bar Admissions

• State of Illinois, 2015

Education

• Chicago-Kent College of Law, J.D., 2015, cum laude
• DePaul University, B.A., 2010, summa cum laude

Published Work

• Co-Author, “Do the Liberty and Equality Principles of the Fourteenth Amendment Embrace Same-Sex Marriage?” Benefits Law Journal, Vol. 28, No. 2 (Summer, 2015)

Professional Associations and Memberships

• Chicago Bar Association
• Illinois State Bar Association

Biography

Eric Meli is an associate at Nielsen, Zehe & Antas, where he concentrates his practice on personal injury defense and property subrogation. Prior to joining Nielsen, Zehe & Antas, Mr. Meli gained valuable experience at a personal injury and medical malpractice firm handling the negotiation and resolution of health insurance subrogation liens, and the resolution of probate matters related to his clients’ claims.  Eric also gained experience working as a litigation technology consultant creating trial visuals, preparing exhibits, and acting as a trial technician.

Mr. Meli earned a B.A. in Political Science from DePaul University in 2010, and a J.D. from Chicago-Kent College of Law in 2015 with a certificate in Labor & Employment.

Mr. Meli is admitted to the Illinois State bar and is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association and Chicago Bar Association.

Areas of Practice

• Commercial Litigation
• General Liability & Casualty
• Employment & Labor
• Medical Malpractice & Health Care
• Municipal/Local Government
• Professional Liability & Services

Bar Admissions

• Illinois, 2006
• U.S. District Court, Northern and Southern Districts of Illinois
• U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin
• U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Indiana
• U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit

Education

• Loyola University Chicago School of Law, J.D., 2006
• Health Law Institute; associate editor, Annals of Health Law
• University of Notre Dame, B.A., 2003

Professional Associations and Memberships

• DRI: The Voice of the Defense Bar
• Illinois State Bar Association
• Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel
• Chicago Bar Association

Awards and Distinctions

• Emerging Lawyers, 2015
• Emerging Lawyers, 2016

Biography

Jack Murphy concentrates his practice in civil litigation in the areas of medical malpractice, product liability, employment law, professional liability and commercial litigation. His practice is diverse and comprises not only the defense of personal injury cases such as catastrophic personal injury and birth injury cases but also the defense of corporate entities and employers in actions and several class actions involving business torts, breach of contract, employment discrimination, collective bargaining and covenants not to compete.

Jack has defended private and municipal entities in more than 100 employment discrimination and civil rights matters dealing with a wide range of statutes and common law torts, often achieving success on summary judgment. He represents clients in state and federal courts, before state and federal administrative agencies, and in investigations, mediations and arbitrations. Jack has extensive experience managing administrative agency investigations, including systemic initiative, pattern-and-practice, and disparate impact claims involving unequal pay, hiring and pre-employment screening practices, and reasonable accommodation processes.

Jack defends professionals, including physicians, accountants, attorneys, insurance brokers, contractors and architects. He represents hospitals, manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, construction companies, collection agencies and medical device manufacturers in courts across the country. Jack also represents domestic and international clients, including clients located in France, Canada and China.

Areas of Practice

• Property Subrogation
• Insurance Coverage
• Product Liability
• Construction Litigation
• Transportation Litigation

Bar Admissions

• Illinois
• Michigan
• Wisconsin
• U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of Michigan
• U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit
• U.S. Supreme Court

Education

• Valparaiso University School of Law, 1992, J.D.
• Law Review: Executive Editor, Valparaiso University, 1990 – 1992
• Concordia University, River Forest, Illinois, 1989, B.A.

Professional Associations and Memberships

• Chicago Bar Association
• National Association of Subrogation Professionals

Biography

Mr. Nielsen has represented numerous large and small insurance companies, self-insured companies, third-party administrators and individuals in some of the largest fire/explosion cases in the United States.  Mr. Nielsen has particular expertise in the areas of fire causation, fire spread, product design and manufacturing defects, construction defects and cargo transportation losses.

Mr. Nielsen received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Concordia University in 1989 and his Juris Doctor degree from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1992.  After graduating from law school, Mr. Nielsen joined a large Chicago law firm and specialized in litigation with an emphasis on commercial and residential property subrogation cases.  In 1997, he co-founded the Firm and has acted as its Managing Partner and a Member of the Board of Directors.  Mr. Nielsen is admitted to practice law in Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin and has been admitted to practice pro hac vice throughout the United States. 

Mr. Nielsen enjoys sailing, exercise and travel.  He is also a member of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary.

Areas of Practice

• Subrogation
• Workers’ Compensation Subrogation
• First-Party Property Coverage
• Casualty Defense
• Construction Litigation

Bar Admissions

• Illinois, 1994
• United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
• Trial Bar, United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
• United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
• United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
• Pro hac vice throughout the United States

Education

• DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois 1994, J.D.
• Honors: Dean’s Scholar
• Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 1991, B.A.
• Major: Journalism
• Minor: Business Administration

Professional Associations and Memberships

• Chicago Bar Association

Seminars and Presentations

• Landlord/Tenant Subrogation- American Family Insurance
• Good Faith Claims Handling Practices- Zurich North America

Biography

Mr. Pugliese’s practice principally involves representing insurance clients in large loss subrogation, workers’ compensation subrogation and first-party property claims. He has extensive litigation experience throughout the United States, and has been involved in all phases of litigation of such claims.

Mr. Pugliese has conducted and supervised numerous site investigations of catastrophic losses, including the retention of experts and preservation of evidence in subrogation and workers’ compensation matters. He has obtained favorable jury verdicts and arbitration awards on behalf of his clients, including a $2.45 million award for a large water loss in Michigan due to faulty repairs by a roofing contractor, and a $1.73 million verdict in the United States District Court in Fort Worth, Texas involving a trucking cargo loss. In addition, Mr. Pugliese has successfully argued before the Appellate Court of Illinois. He has also resolved numerous matters through mediation, including: a $2.99 million settlement arising out of a fire at a food processing facility in Indiana; a $2.7 million fire loss recovery involving faulty construction in Florida; a $1.3 million settlement related to a water loss in Minnesota; and an $800,000 recovery arising out of a fire that destroyed a historic building in San Antonio, Texas.

Representative subrogation cases include issues involving fire causation and spread, construction defects, product liability, warranty claims, breaches of contract, cargo claims, complex damages and catastrophic injuries. Mr. Pugliese’s first-party practice includes loss investigation and providing legal opinions in property insurance coverage matters including issues related to employee dishonesty, bad faith, business interruption, arson, builder’s risk, contamination and environmental claims.

Following the 2005 hurricanes, Mr. Pugliese advised insurers with respect to various coverage issues and conducted numerous presentations on claims handling practices in Texas, Louisiana, Florida and Alabama. He has extensive experience in litigating complex first-party coverage disputes through trial.

Mr. Pugliese began his litigation career as one of the original two attorneys when Geico opened its staff-counsel office in Chicago. At the Law Office of Kevin J. Kawa, Mr. Pugliese defended Geico’s insureds in personal injury actions, and pursued subrogation on Geico’s behalf. During his time with the office, Mr. Pugliese conducted hundreds of depositions and numerous arbitration hearings, mediations and jury trials.

Prior to his litigation practice, Mr. Pugliese was the staff attorney for the chief judge and civil division judges in the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Court. His responsibilities included extensive research and drafting of legal memoranda for numerous judges, including Illinois Supreme Court Justice Robert R. Thomas, former Illinois Supreme Court Justice Louis S. Rathje, and former Federal District Court Judge Jack Darrah.

Areas of Practice

• Product Liability
• Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices
• Professional Liability & Services
• Medical Malpractice & Health Care
• Commercial Litigation
• General Liability & Casualty
• Construction
• Directors & Officers Liability/EPL
• Retail, Restaurant, Hospitality
• Toxic Tort
• Transportation
• Municipal/Local Government
• Molestation/Sexual Assault
• Asia
• Europe

Bar Admissions

• Illinois, 1981
• U.S. District Court, Northern and Southern Districts of Illinois

Education

• Loyola University Chicago School of Law, J.D., 1981
• Law Journal; National Trial Advocacy Team; Law Review student articles editor
• University of Illinois, B.A., 1978

Memberships

• American Board of Trial Advocates
• International Association of Defense Counsel
• Japan America Society
• U.S. – China Chamber of Commerce
• Society of Trial Lawyers
• Illinois State Bar Association Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel
• DRI: The Voice of the Defense Bar American Bar Association
• Claims & Litigation Management Alliance
• Journal of American Law, Specialty Editorial Board for Products Liability

Awards

• Selected for inclusion to the Super Lawyers List annually 2005–2016
• AV® Preeminent™ Rated by Martindale-Hubbell continuously since 1993
• American Research Corporation, Leading Chicago, Illinois and American Attorneys
• Named among 10 Best Personal Injury Attorneys and 100 Best Attorneys in Illinois
• Jury Trial Excellence Award from the Cook County Jury Verdict Reporter for career achievement in liability defense trials – 2015
• Named by Best Lawyers as Illinois Best Lawyer of the Year for Professional Liability – 2018

Biography

Dominick Savaiano, an accomplished trial attorney, counselor and litigator, works with a select group of attorneys he has trained in the art of litigation and courtroom techniques, providing consistency in skill and results in handling the most complex and difficult matters anywhere in the country.  He is admitted to several federal district courts outside of Illinois and has been admitted pro hac vice in multiple state and federal courts on specific cases around the country.

Dom has tried more than 80 jury cases, winning nearly all.  All of his trials have taken place in difficult jurisdictions inclined to return plaintiff verdicts in the millions of dollars.  In virtually all of these cases, Dom represented the target defendant, achieving victories that resulted in savings in the hundreds of millions of dollars.  His clients have included corporations, business entities, individuals and insurance companies in a variety of complex claims, many of which evolve out of lawsuits for injuries to persons and property or breach of contract.  Dom has experience in products liability, including mass accidents and toxic torts, professional liability, health care litigation, construction-related litigation, liability insurance coverage and bad faith litigation. In addition, Dom is experienced in commercial litigation and other business matters.

Dom’s involvement in cases often results in more favorable settlements, due to the trial credibility he and his team bring.  In one trucking program underwritten by a consortium of excess insurers and reinsurers, he was able to save more than $40 million (USD) off of the program’s reserves in two years.

Dom is routinely called on by clients to take over difficult matters or cases set for trial that were prepared by other firms.  He is often asked to take such cases to trial, evaluate a claim or exposure, or resolve the matter on behalf of clients. Dom is in demand throughout the United States, from large metropolitan areas to rural jurisdictions.  His advice is sought in evaluating the propriety of coverage positions or to defend insurance professionals who have previously taken such positions. He redeems cases that were tried by others and lost, but reversed on appeal.  Dom also consults with corporations and nonprofits concerning contractual, commercial and employment matters

Trial Advocacy

Dom’s interest and experience in trial advocacy is evident not only from the cases he has tried but also from the recognition he has received from his peers and his memberships in various local, state and national professional associations.  Dom has been selected as a member of the Society of Trial Lawyers, an exclusive and prestigious organization formed to foster and encourage high ethical standards in the trial of cases. He has been named a Leading Illinois Attorney and a Leading American Attorney by the American Research Corporation, which conducts extensive surveys involving thousands of members of the Illinois Bar.  Dom has been elected to the American Board of Trial Advocates, a select national organization of trial attorneys whose common qualities include professionalism and a high degree of trial and litigation skill, knowledge and experience.

Dom’s contributions as a member of the Claims & Litigation Management Alliance include coauthorship of Illinois Claims Handling Resources, an online guide; products liability editor on the Specialty Editorial Board of The Journal of American Law , a peer-reviewed journal and the only national law journal in the country.  Since 1981, Dom has lectured and published for the Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education, the Chicago Bar Association, the Professional Liability Underwriters Society, the Risk and Insurance Management Society, and gatherings of many other organizations and clients in the United States, Asia, Canada and Europe.

In late 2015, Dom was awarded a Jury Trial Excellence Award from Chicago legal publications for career achievement in liability defense trial results.

Representative Matters

Obtained a not-guilty verdict in an automotive/trucking products liability case in New Orleans that involved catastrophic injuries to eight victims, including a quadriplegic on a ventilator, a person with a brain injury and a death.

Was awarded a not-guilty verdict in less than 30 minutes in a cerebral palsy medical malpractice case in Cook County, Ill., against an accomplished plaintiffs’ attorney.

Received a successful resolution in an architect’s favor as a result of an arbitration with a casino developer and owner (cross-claims for millions each, with a result of payment to the architect).

Successfully defended an admitted-liability, products liability trial on damages in Baltimore involving a medical device.  In the face of a $7 million demand, the jury awarded a verdict under $200,000 and only $12,000 more than what the defense recommended.

Won a large commercial arbitration case involving the valuation of the business involved in a sale in Philadelphia.

Successfully defended an Asian tire manufacturer in lawsuits throughout the United States.

Serves as national counsel for an international medical implant manufacturer.

Acted as national counsel for a consortium of Canadian excess insurers and reinsurers for losses in the United States.

Areas of Practice

• Workers’ Compensation Subrogation
• Property Subrogation
• Risk Management
• Construction Law
• Insurance Defense

Bar Admissions

• Indiana, 1995
• Illinois, 1999
• Minnesota, 2001
• U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois, 2001
• U.S. District Court Central District of Illinois, 2002
• U.S. District Court Northern District of Indiana, 1995
• U.S. District Court Southern District of Indiana, 2012
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of Michigan, 2004
• U.S. District Court Western District of Michigan, 2003
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of Wisconsin, 2005
• U.S. District Court Western District of Wisconsin, 2011

Education

• Indiana University School of Law, Bloomington, Indiana, 1995, J.D.
• Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1991, B.A.
• Honors: Dean’s List
• Major: Political Science

Professional Associations and Memberships

• Chicago Bar Association
• Indiana Bar Association

Fraternities/Sororities

• Pi Beta Phi

Biography

Christy Harrison Schaefer is the head of the firm’s Workers’ Compensation Subrogation practice group. She devotes a significant portion of her practice to the investigation and prosecution of complex workers’ compensation and property subrogation claims on behalf of large and small insurers, self-insured companies and third-party administrators.

Christy is a highly-regarded industry lecturer on workers’ compensation case law, trends and cost-effective recovery strategy, and performs frequent client training seminars and file reviews to outfit in-house recovery representatives with effective and concise techniques for maximizing lien recovery. In the past several years, Christy has been frequently retained by her clients and their insureds to provide legal consultation on workplace safety and related industrial/construction loss topics both in conjunction with pending litigation and in a more directed risk management capacity.
Christy litigates files in all fifty states, and is licensed to practice law in Illinois, Indiana and Minnesota. She has been admitted to practice before the Federal District Courts for the Northern and Central Districts of Illinois, Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan and the Eastern and Western Districts of Wisconsin, and has been granted pro hac vice admission in more than sixty Circuit, Superior, District and Appellate Courts throughout the United States.

Ms. Schaefer received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Tulane University in 1991 and her Juris Doctor degree from Indiana University-Bloomington School of Law in 1995. After graduating from law school, Ms. Schaefer served as a Marion County, Indiana Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in the Major Felony division, and was ultimately appointed as the Metro Gang Task Force lead. While serving as a Deputy Prosecutor, Christy tried more than 50 jury trials to verdict.

After leaving the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office, Ms. Schaefer joined the law firm of Clausen Miller, P.C. as a senior associate specializing in commercial and residential fire loss subrogation. Before joining NZA in 2005, Ms. Schaefer was a partner at the Chicago Office of Cozen O’Connor, where she fine-tuned her expertise in workers’ compensation subrogation, fire spread, products liability, construction defects and mold loss recovery.

Accomplishments

Christy Schaefer obtains a $3.35M lien recovery despite the existence of a Kotecki waiver and the viable threat of employer liability exceeding her client’s lien
Defeating a viable claim of non-entitlement to excess proceeds under an umbrella liability policy issued to her client’s insured, and despite an arguably fatal employer and employee fault threatening an excess verdict, Christy Schaefer successfully negotiated a multi-million dollar Illinois workers’ compensation lien recovery on the eve of trial.

Christy Schaefer speaks at NASP Conference on Worker Compensation issues
For the tenth consecutive year, Christy Schaefer spoke on ‘Recent Developments, Trends, and Decisions in Workers’ Compensation Subrogation” at the 2016 Annual Conference of the National Association of Subrogation Professionals.

Christy Schaefer obtains worker compensation subrogation recovery in excess of what client was entitled to under the Illinois statutory distribution scheme
Christy Schaefer successfully argued that our insurance client should not have to contribute toward costs associated with the injured worker’s unsuccessful and costly addition of a defendant, which was against our advice, and which she argued, represented more than 75% of the total costs of the prosecution. The end result was that our client ended up contributing only 25% towards fees and otherwise recovered roughly 120% of the statutorily recoverable lien.

Christy Schaefer obtains 100% Minnesota Reverse-Naig worker compensation settlement
An injured worker entered into a Naig settlement under Minnesota law leaving our insurance client in the unenviable position of independently litigating its worker’s compensation lien at its own expense. The defendant took an unreasonable settlement position knowing that our client would have to incur all fees and costs on its own. Despite the likelihood of the litigation costs and fees exceeding the lien amount, Christy took an aggressive strategy and provided defense counsel with a draft complaint, detailed analysis of the potential recovery of attorney fees and a 100% demand. Her efforts resulted in a 100% recovery for our client.

Christy Schaefer obtains six figure worker compensation settlement in New Mexico
An injured worker entered into a third-party settlement agreement and attempted to circumvent our insurance client’s worker compensation lien by ear-marking the settlement in satisfaction of only non-subrogable damages. After litigation before the New Mexico Workers’ Compensation Administration, Christy settled her client’s lien interest for an amount in excess of the Guitierrez distribution formula, including only a nuisance contribution toward the claimant’s attorney’s fees and costs.

Areas of Practice

• Subrogation
• Construction

Bar Admissions

• State of Illinois, 2022
• U.S. District Court, North District of Illinois, 2022

Education

• The Loyola University of Chicago School of Law, J.D. 2022, magna cum laude
• University of Notre Dame, B.A. 2019, political science

Professional Associations and Memberships

• Illinois State Bar Association 
• Chicago Bar Association
• Alpha Sigma Nu
• Notre Dame Club of Chicago

Biography

John Stankovich is an Associate at Nielsen, Zehe & Antas, where he concentrates his practice in property and fidelity subrogation.  In his practice, Mr. Stankovich represents property insurers and owners for damages arising from defective products, fires, floods, and construction related losses.

Mr. Stankovich obtained his Juris Doctor, along with a certificate in advocacy, from the Loyola University of Chicago School of Law graduating magna cum laude in 2022. While attending law school, he was an award-winning member of the school’s highly regarded moot court competition team while also serving as a member of the school’s unique Consumer Law Review. Professionally, during law school Mr. Stankovich externed with a governmental relations firm in Chicago and earned a competitive judicial externship. Mr. Stankovich also worked as a law clerk at NZA prior to joining the firm as an Associate. Mr. Stankovich completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Notre Dame graduating from there in 2019 with a B.A. in political science with minors in history and constitutional studies.

Mr. Stankovich was admitted to the Illinois State Bar and the Northern District of Illinois in 2022. He is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association, the Chicago Bar Association, Alpha Sigma Nu as well a proud member the Notre Dame Club of Chicago and Loyola University Chicago Alumni Association.

Areas of Practice

• Product Liability
• Commercial Transactions and Contracts
• Commercial Litigation
• Premises Liability
• General Liability and Casualty

Bar Admissions

• Illinois, 1974
• United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois (Including Trial Bar)
• United States Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
• United States District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin
• United States District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
• United States District Court, Northern District of Ohio
• United States District Court, Northern District of Indiana
• United States District Court, District of Colorado

Education

• IIT/Chicago-Kent College of Law (J.D. With Distinction)
• St. John’s University (B.A. Winner of Gold Key Award in Economics)

Memberships

• Illinois State Bar Association
• American Bar Association
• Defense Research Institute
• Legal Council of the American Equipment Manufacturers Association

Biography

Joseph N. Stella has represented clients in the defense of hundreds of cases over the course of decades of practice. Over the years he has developed an area of specialty in the defense of product liability matters involving a broad scope of products including industrial machinery, food processing machinery, conveyor equipment, machines integrally involved in the steel making process, motor vehicle brake, acceleration, cruise control and wheel retention systems, ski-lift installations, aerial tramway systems, monorail systems, power hoists and scaffolding, and a wide variety of consumer products from derailler and quick release mechanisms on bicycles to various hand tools.

Of particular note is his intimate involvement in the defense of the design of heavy equipment including hydraulic excavators, front end loaders, bulldozers, mining equipment, soil and aggregate screening equipment, rock crushing equipment, mobile cranes, offshore cranes, ship cranes, port cranes, tower cranes, asphalt milling machines, asphalt paving machines, concrete slipform pavers and compactors/rollers. He has over the years been involved with assisting many foreign manufacturers with the successful defense of the design and manufacture of their products in US litigation.

He has also assisted clients with product recalls, non-conforming goods, product retrofit programs, unfair competition, trade name and trade secret litigation. He has also assisted clients with numerous transactional matters including distribution, dealer, licensing, research and development, leasing, construction, sales parts, and service agreements. Moreover, he has assisted clients with administrative procedural matters, regulatory proceedings, negotiations and insurance coverage matters.

His clients in the area of product liability defense and related issues include global organizations, many of which are recognized as industry leaders in the involved product lines. He has been involved in numerous successful trials (both jury and bench) as well as appeals in behalf of his clients. He has also presented numerous seminars on a variety of topics relating to the defense of product liability matters.

Areas of Practice

• Construction Law
• Insurance Subrogation
• Products Liability Law
• Litigation

Litigation Percentage

• 100% of Practice Devoted to Litigation

Bar Admissions

• Illinois, 1989
• U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois, 2001

Education

• De Paul University College of Law, Chicago, Illinois, 1989, J.D.
• Ithaca College, Ithaca, New York, 1986, B.A., Major: Political Science

Biography

Brian T. Suth is a partner with Nielsen, Zehe, & Antas, P.C. and has been with the firm since 2001. His areas of practice include large property subrogation, product liability, construction and general civil litigation.

Mr. Suth received his Juris Doctorate from DePaul University College of Law in 1989. He was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1989, the Northern District of Illinois and the Northern District of Indiana in 2001 and has been admitted pro hac vice in numerous jurisdictions across the country. In 1986, Mr. Suth received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Ithaca College in Ithaca, New York.

Mr. Suth has extensive litigation experience in both state and federal court in multiple jurisdictions including several multi-million dollar subrogation recoveries. His previous experience includes a comprehensive subrogation practice with Clausen Miller, P.C., concentrating in large property loss claims. In addition, as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney for over ten years, he conducted numerous pretrial motions, litigated over 350 bench trials and 52 jury trials.

Mr. Suth resides in a suburb of Chicago with his wife.

Areas of Practice

• Property Subrogation
• Workers’ Compensation Subrogation

Litigation Percentage

• 100% of Practice Devoted to Litigation

Bar Admissions

• Illinois, 2007

Education

• DePaul University College of Law, Chicago, Illinois, 2007, J.D.
• Honors: magna cum laude
• Honors: Order of the Coif
• DePaul Journal of Health Care Law, 2005 – 2007
• Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, 1999, B.B.A.
• Honors: cum laude
• Major: Management Information Systems & Management

Published Works

• If You’re Smoking You’re Fired: How Tobacco Could Be Dangerous to More Than Just Your Health, 10 DePaul J. Health Care L., 457, 2007

Honors and Awards

• CALI Excellence for the Future Awards: Constitutional Process, Evidence, Property, Will & Trusts

Professional Associations and Memberships

• Hon. Ronald A. Guzman, United States District Court of the Northern District of Illinois, 2006
• Judicial Extern
• Hon. Allen S. Goldberg, Circuit Court of Cook County, Commercial Law Division, 2006
• Judicial Extern
• Chicago Bar Association

Fraternities/Sororities

• Phi Kappa Sigma

Birth Information

• 1975, Cincinnati, Ohio

Biography

Christopher L. Valleau is an associate with Nielsen, Zehe & Antas, P.C. who concentrates his practice in the areas of property and workers’ compensation subrogation. Mr. Valleau received his Bachelor of Business Administration cum laude from Ohio University in 1999. Prior to and while attending law school Mr. Valleau worked as an information technology consultant specializing in relational database architecture, programming and analysis.

Mr. Valleau received his Juris Doctor magna cum laude from DePaul University College of Law in 2007. At DePaul, Mr. Valleau on four separate occasions received the CALI Award for Excellence for achieving the highest grade in individual courses. Following graduation, Mr. Valleau was selected by the faculty as a member of the Order of the Coif.

During law school Mr. Valleau served as a judicial extern to the Honorable Allen S. Goldberg of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Commercial Law Division and the Honorable Ronald A. Guzman of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Mr. Valleau also served as an Authorities Editor on the DePaul University Journal of Healthcare Law and authored an article published in the DePaul University Journal of Healthcare Law’s Spring 2007 edition.

Mr. Valleau was admitted to the Illinois State Bar in 2007 and is a member of the Chicago Bar Association.

Areas of Practice

• Medical Malpractice & HealthCare
• Professional Liability & Services

Bar Admissions

• State of Illinois, 2001
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois, 2002
• New Mexico, Inactive

Education

• Detroit College of Law at Michigan State University, summa cum laude, 2001

• The George Washington University, cum laude, 1997

Professional Associations and Memberships

• Illinois State Bar Association

Biography

Laura Young focuses her practice in defense of physicians, nurses, health care entities and other health care providers in cases involving complex medical malpractice and wrongful death claims.

Prior to joining Nielsen, Zehe & Antas, Ms. Young gained valuable experience as a trial attorney defending multiple medical malpractice cases through verdict.  She has handled cases from their inception through trial and frequently resolves cases by way of pre-suit settlements, mediation, and dispositive motion practice.  She also has experience in criminal law as a former prosecutor in Dona Ana County, New Mexico.

Ms. Young obtained her Juris Doctor, summa cum laude, from Detroit College of Law at Michigan State University in 2001.  While attending law school, she clerked for a Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge and was a Note and Comment Editor for the Law Review.  Ms. Young obtained her undergraduate degree, cum laude, from The George Washington University in 1997.

Areas of Practice

• Fire / Explosion Litigation
• Construction Litigation
• Professional Liability Defense
• Employment Law Defense
• Casualty Defense
• Property Subrogation
• Municipal Liability Defense
• Civil Rights Defense
• School Law

Litigation Percentage

• 100% of Practice Devoted to Litigation

Bar Admissions

• Illinois, 1979
• U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois
• U.S. District Court Central District of Illinois
• U.S. District Court Southern District of Illinois
• U.S. District Court Northern District of Indiana
• U.S. District Court Southern District of Indiana
• U.S. Supreme Court

Education

• DePaul University School of Law, Chicago, Illinois, 1979, J.D.
• Loyola University, Chicago, Illinois 1976, BA

Classes/Seminars on the Subject of

• Civil Rights Litigation
• Numerous Subrogation Issues
• Evidence Management
• E-Discovery Updates
• Municipal Liability Defense
• School Law

Professional Associations and Memberships

• Chicago Bar Association
• Defense Research Institute
• American Trial Lawyers Association
• Professional Liability Underwriter Society
• Illinois Association of Defense Counsel

Biography

Jeffrey R. Zehe is a Senior Partner and Member of the Board of Directors of Nielsen, Zehe & Antas, P.C. and concentrates his litigation practice in the areas of subrogation, casualty defense, the defense of various professionals and first-party property defense.  Mr. Zehe specializes in professional malpractice defense including municipalities, school districts, lawyers, construction professionals, insurance executives, real estate brokers, and corporate directors and officers.  Mr. Zehe’s practice also includes the defense of corporate management against an array of employment liability and ERISA claims.  On the plaintiff’s side, he has prosecuted several multimillion-dollar subrogation lawsuits across the country.

Mr. Zehe was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1979.  He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Loyola University of Chicago and a Juris Doctor Degree from DePaul University College of Law.

After seven years’ experience in the public sector as an Assistant State’s Attorney trying felony cases on behalf of the Cook County State’s Attorney, Mr. Zehe joined the private practice.  During his varied practice, Mr. Zehe has successfully tried several multi-million dollar cases to defense verdict on behalf of his clients.  These were tried in various jurisdictions including, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.  

In subrogation matters, he has also won large multi-million dollar verdicts.  In fact, in 2007, Mr. Zehe won a $63 million verdict involving a collapsed warehouse in Wisconsin; at the time, one of the 100 largest verdicts in the country.