Litigation Department - Gonzalez Saggio & Harlan LLP

Litigation Department

The Litigation Department of Gonzalez Saggio & Harlan LLP consists of experienced litigators who have represented corporate clients with a variety of complex litigation matters. We regularly defend major industries including pharmaceutical and automotive manufacturers, financial institutions and consumer goods companies with claims involving alleged product defect, contract disputes, mass litigation and other matters. We have extensive experience defending drug manufacturers and distributors in several venues against claims for injuries allegedly caused by over-the-counter medications. We have litigated genetic seed allegations, welding rod allegations, a variety of pharmaceutical defense matters, broker disputes, securities fraud issues and other complex commercial matters.

Our firm has also successfully handled matters involving workers' compensation, construction litigation, insurance defense, bankruptcy litigation, environmental litigation, distributorship litigation, professional liability, ERISA litigation, condemnation-related litigation, and appellate practice in federal and state courts.

Listing of department attorneys

Nelson L. Atkins
Eugene G. Berry
Julie T. Bittner
Tracey Blackwell
Jay Blumenkopf
Cyrus L. Booker
Louis B. Butler, Jr.
Nathaniel (Nate) Cade, Jr.
David B. Carr
Cecilly C. Clark
Julie M. Cloney
Elizabeth Conkin
Jeannette M. Conrad
Heather A. Davis
Catherine Q. Delahunt
Irwin S. Evans
Edward A. Fallone
Joseph M. Fasi, II
Jean-Marie Feedham
John F. Floyd
Matthew T. Fricker
Robert R. Furnier
Mary Pat Gallagher
Maral I. Gasparian
Steven Gerber
Gregory Gilmore
Gerardo H. Gonzalez
Diana F. Grilli
Maria Estes Hall
Todd R. Harris
Emmitt C. House

Charles Hamilton Houston III
Kenneth M. Jones
Ramsey Kazem
Matthew J. Lee
Stephen Lowe
Paul D. Manrique
Kerrie M. Murphy
Christopher L. Muzzo
Santosh Narayan
Jeremy A. Oliver
Robert C. Pearman, Jr.
Serena E. Pollack
Richard H. Porter
Miriam A. Rich
Karma S. Rodgers
Hugo P. Rojas
Anique N. Ruiz
Michael Salcido
Cynthia L. Sands
Roxann S. Smithers
Marcella S. Spoto
Terri L. Stough
Joshua F. Stubbins
Lynn Urkov Thorpe
Daniel C. Todd
Alejandro Valle
Vincent Vigil
Minh C. Wai
Laurie J. Wiedenhoff
Lee Young, Jr.

Representative Experience

Defended a large petroleum company in a personal injury case where the Plaintiff’s vehicle hit the Defendant’s tractor and tanker trailer from behind while both vehicles were making a right turn. The Defendant’s right turn signal was visible in security video captured by a nearby convenience store camera as the Plaintiff hit the Defendant’s right side after the Defendant began his right turn. Storage boxes mounted below the frame of the tanker trailer impacted the front left tire and fender of the Plaintiff’s vehicle and peeled back the front bumper. No injuries were reported at the scene. Plaintiff went to an Immediate Care Center 20 hours after the collision with stiffness to her neck and was diagnosed with a cervical strain/sprain and degenerative disk disease. She had disk fusion surgery three months after the incident and claimed over $80,000 in medical expenses. This matter proceeded to a three-day jury trial where the jury returned a verdict of no fault on the Defendants.
Defended Fortune 50 Company with respect to a premises liability action where Plaintiff sought $250,000 in damages for a torn, operated rotator cuff and related injuries. Matter was resolved through binding arbitration, where each party presented evidence and witnesses. The arbitrator entered an award in favor of our client, thereby denying the relief requested by the plaintiff.

Represented medical malpractice insurer with medical specials of $1.3 million and future medicals in the $4-5 million dollar range in a case that dealt with an alleged negligent gastric bypass. After a two-week trial, the jury briefly deliberated and returned with a defense verdict.

Defense of automotive manufacturers, automotive industry members, pharmaceutical manufacturers, industrial goods manufacturers and consumer goods companies in actions involving alleged product defects and failure to warn.

Testified before government body regarding merit of legal issues for municipality considering litigation. Developed consortium of corporations and trade associations for litigation dispute resolution. Sought after for arbitration skills.

Developed and implemented plan for catastrophic tort allegations with client co-joint with industry. Participated in class action and multi-district litigation.

Represented major social service agency in connection with abandoned multi-million dollar real estate transaction; obtained favorable settlement on behalf of client including recoupment of attorneys fees expended in connection with transaction.

Successfully defended client in complex civil RICO action. Defended individuals and corporations from criminal prosecution in state and federal courts, including conspiracy and white collar offenses.

Representation of corporations in connection with territorial contract dispute and dealership rights. Representation with failed acquisition of multiple dealerships.

Prosecuted tortious interference with contract and business relations claims in federal court. Obtained jury verdict for client in excess of $1.2 million.

Represented major Midwestern utility in a multi-party commercial litigation matter.

Brought action in the Northern District of Illinois regarding contract dispute with client's customer. Obtained judgment awarding full relief for client.

Representation of clients in construction, real property and lease disputes.

Successfully defended major international petroleum corporation in federal trial against environmental claims including CERCLA, RCRA and common law claims.

Represented state and foreign corporations including manufacturers and utility companies in worker's compensation matters. Representation includes causation, damages, penalties, litigation and advice regarding case management.

Successfully handled matters involving coverage issues, tort defense and defense of carriers with life policies.

Representation of clients with respect to real property contamination issues.

Litigated adversarial proceedings in federal courts and successfully defended creditors.

Sought after by other law firms for securities litigation counsel and expert testimony.

Represented state-run workers compensation insurance fund in adversary bankruptcy proceeding against national trucking company involving claims for unpaid insurance premiums totaling in excess of $4 million; principal issue involved treatment of premiums as priority claim as "excise taxes" under 11 U.S.C. § 507.

Amicus counsel for special interests and appellate practice.