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Shaping the law

“The law is not an inflexible structure whose walls restrain progress. Rather, it needs to be nudged, molded and shaped. An able advocate best represents his client by convincing the Courts of that fact.”

John E. Cassidy, Sr. (1896-1984) Firm Founder Illinois Attorney General (1938-1940)

Cassidy & Mueller P.C. believes that trial lawyers must know the substantive and procedural law which governs the cases they try. At the same time appellate lawyers must understand the dynamics of trial practice if they are to be effective. Consequently, it is the firm’s philosophy that the lawyer who tries the case has primary responsibility for the appeal.

The combination of a progressive view of the evolution of the law and unified advocacy has placed Cassidy & Mueller P.C. at the “cutting edge” of tort law development. In each of the following Federal Appellate and Illinois Supreme Court cases the firm played a role in seeking to nudge, mold or shape the law to favor the defense:

ILLINOIS SUPREME COURT AND FEDERAL COURTS OF APPEAL

Civil Rights

• Hill v. Shelander // 924 F. 2d 1370 (7th Cir. 1991)
• Springer v. Durflinger // 518 F.3d 479 (7th Cir. 2008)

Construction Liability

• Prewein v. Caterpillar Tractor Co. // 108 Ill.2d 141 (1985)
• Carney v. Union Pacific Ry. // Co., 2016 IL 118984
• Loerger v. Halverson Const. Co., Inc. // 232 Ill. 2d 196 (2008)

Construction Negligence

Contribution

• J. L. Simmons Co., Inc. ex rel Hartford Insurance v. Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. // 108 Ill.2d 106 (1985)
• Schrock v. Shoemaker, et al. // 246 Ill.App.3d 372, S.Ct. No. 75877 (1993)

Coverage

• Sims for use of Ruark v. Illinois National Casualty Co. // 43 Ill.App.2d 184 (1963)
• Steele v. Hartford Fire Insurance Co. // 778 F.2d 441 (7th Cir. 1986)
• Hartford Insurance Group v. Gulf Insurance // 837 F. 2d 767 (7th Cir. 1988)
• Massachusetts Mutual v. O’Brien // No. 92-3937 (7th Cir. 1993)

Damages - Medical Expenses

Employment-Workers' Compensation

• Horton v. Miller Chemical Co. // 776 F. 2d 1351 (7th Cir. 1985)
• Briggs Mfg. Co. v. Industrial Commission // 212 Ill. App. 3d 318 (1991)

Insurance Law

Medical

• Kirk v. Michael Reese Hospital, et al. // 117 Ill.2d 507 (1987)

Negligence

• Clarkson v. Wright // 108 Ill.2d 129 (1985)
• Dunn v. B & O Railroad Co. // 127 Ill.2d 350 (1989)

Product Liability

• Coney v. JLG Industries, Inc. // 97 Ill.2d 104 (1983)
• J. I. Case Co. v. McCartin-McAuliffe // 118 Ill.2d 447 (1987)
• Kraciun v. Garlock Inc. // 895 F. 2d 444 (8th Cir. 1990)
• Blue v. Environmental Engineering, Inc. // 895 F. 2d 444 (8th Cir. 1990).

"The law is not an inflexible structure whose walls restrain progress. Rather, it needs to be nudged molded and shaped. An able advocate best represents his client by convincing the Courts of that fact."

John E. Cassidy. Sr. (1896-1984)
Firm Founder Illinois Attorney General (1938-1940)