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A veteran defense counsel, Ms. O’Connor has been to verdict on numerous occasions, has successfully litigated cases in both state and federal courts, and has argued before both the Illinois Appellate and Supreme Courts. Prior to becoming trial counsel in private practice, she worked for the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, where she rotated through various assignments in the Municipal and Felony Trial Divisions. Her experience there culminated in serving as first chair in a felony court room and as lead counsel in more than 25 felony cases tried to jury verdict. |
Education
Ms. O’Connor earned her B.A. degree from the University of
Illinois with honors in 1973 and her J.D. degree from Northwestern University
School of Law in 1976.
Bar Admissions
Ms. O’Connor is authorized to
practice law in Illinois and in the U.S. District Court for the Northern
District of Illinois and the U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals.
Professional
Associations
Ms. O’Connor is a member of the American Bar Association
and the Defense Research Institute
Cited Cases
People v. Rehbein, 74 Ill.2d
435, 386 N.E.2d 39 (1978); Webb v. Jewel Companies, et al., 137 Ill.App.3d
1004, 485 N.E.2d 409 (1st Dist. 1985); Keller v. Mols, 156 Ill.App.3d 235,
509 N.E.2d 584 (1st Dist. 1987); Olesen v. Bd of Ed of SD 228, 676 F.Supp.
820, 44 Ed. Law Rep. 205 (ND Ill. Eastern Div 1987); Goncaves v. Saab, et
al., 184 Ill.App.3d 952, 538 N.E.2d 142 (1st Dist. 1989); Rodgers v. Withers,
229 Ill.App.3d 246, 593 N.E.2d 669 (1st Dist. 1992); American States Ins.
Co. v. National Cycle, 260 Ill.App.3d 299, 631 N.E.2d 1292 (1st Dist. 1994);
Essex Ins. Co. v. Stage 2, Inc., et al., 14 F.3d 1178 (7th Cir. 1994).
Lectures
and Presentations
Ms. O’Connor is a frequent lecturer at and sponsor
of national and local seminars. Her presentations include:
• “Medical
Error Disclosure–Negotiating the Sticky Wicket” Annual Meeting
of IPT, Springfield, Il., September, 2005.
• “Defending your Deposition–What
Every Doctor Should Know” National Convention of the American College
of Osteopathic Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Orlando, Fla., March, 2005.
• “Medicine
and the Law” Instructional course for residents at Michael Reese Hospital,
2003–2004.
• “Presenting Your Best Side in Deposition” Seminar
for risk managers presented at Illinois Providers Trust, Naperville, Il.,
March, 2004.
• “Excess Verdicts—Where Are They Headed?” Panelist
and Moderator, Crittendon’s Medical Insurance Convention, Houston,
Texas, 2001.
• “Good Charting Is Your Duty to the Patient and
a Gift to Yourself” Seminar for nursing staff at Michael Reese Hospital,
March, 2001.
A
partner and manager of the medical malpractice defense department, Mary
C. O’Connor devotes a significant amount of her
practice to the defense of hospitals, physicians, and related healthcare
providers sued for professional negligence. She also litigates cases
involving municipal liability, civil rights, employer liability, and
other general tort matters. She rounds out her practice by providing
coverage opinions and litigating declaratory actions for clients in the
insurance industry.