Mary C. O’Connor is a founding partner of the law firm of O’Connor & Battle, LLP. Ms. O’Connor has a well-established trial practice in the area of medical malpractice defense. For over 30 years she has represented hospitals, physicians, and related health care providers in complex disputes involving allegations of medical negligence. She has achieved the highest possible rating of AV® Preeminent™ from Martindale Hubbell Law Directory. The rating attests to her legal ability and professional ethics and reflects the confidential opinions of the Bar and the Judiciary. She is also recognized in Illinois Super Lawyers listing and in the Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers.
Previously, Ms. O’Connor was a partner and lead trial counsel of healthcare defense clients with a commercial litigation and property law firm offering specialized legal services to the insurance industry. Her active trial practice in Chicago focused on the representation of insureds and self-insured entities defending significant liability claims, medical malpractice cases, and professional liability matters.
Ms. O’Connor began private practice with a Chicago litigation law firm as an associate; within four years, she was named a litigation partner and focused extensively on the defense of casualty claims, product liability, professional negligence and civil rights cases in both state and federal courts. She commenced her legal career working for the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office where as appellate counsel she argued cases in both the 1st District Appellate and Supreme Court. She became one of the first women to rotate through Felony Review, next serving as first chair in a felony courtroom at 26th and California, where she ultimately tried more than 30 felony cases to jury verdict.
Ms. O’Connor received her Juris Doctor from Northwestern University School of Law and Bachelor of Arts cum laude from the University of Illinois. She is licensed to practice law in Illinois and is admitted in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and is a member of the Federal Trial Bar, and U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.
Ms. O’Connor has successfully litigated cases in both federal and state courts. In addition to her trial experience in the criminal courts, she has tried almost 30 jury trials to verdict in Cook and the collar counties most to victory, in her distinguished career. Her work ethos is based on attention to detail and critical thinking in shaping her strategies and cross examinations. She finds there is no substitute for hard work and preparation. Her practice is built on a base of loyal and confident health care specialists and facilities. She has mentored many young lawyers to successful careers in the field of litigation and is proud to pay it forward while practicing law from the platform of a female and minority owned law firm.
Kenneth M. Battle is a partner in the Chicago office of O’Connor & Battle LLP. Mr. Battle practices in the areas of general civil and commercial litigation, insurance defense litigation, and healthcare liability. For over 14 years, he has participated in settlements and trials involving millions of dollars in the representation of clients ranging in size from individuals to Fortune 500 companies. His practice is emphasized in the areas of civil rights, premises liability, medical malpractice defense, product liability, automobile liability, employment law, personal injury, municipal law, construction litigation, real estate and foreclosure litigation. Mr. Battle has been named among the “Top 100 under 50 Diverse Executive Leaders” for 2014 by Diversity MBA Magazine.
Prior to joining O'Connor & Battle, Mr. Battle was founder and president of his law practice, the Battle Law Office P.C., where he represented clients in the Chicagoland area in both state and federal courts, and in arbitrations and mediations. He was also appointed as Special Assistant Corporation Counsel, working as outside counsel for the City of Chicago in the Civil Rights Division.
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Robert is an experienced trial lawyer practicing in the area of medical malpractice defense, defending physicians, hospitals, and other healthcare professionals in medical malpractice and wrongful death actions. He is experienced in all aspects of litigation, including pre-trail investigations, dispositive motion practice, presenting witnesses for depositions, deposing experts, alternative dispute resolution, and trying cases to verdict.
Robert previously worked for a national litigation law firm specializing in the area of health care defense. In addition, he previously worked in the Office of Legal Affairs at Rush University Medical Center, where he advised on a wide spectrum of healthcare and regulatory issues for this major academic medical center and its numerous subsidiaries.
Robert graduated from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University and earned his Juris Doctor from Loyola University Chicago School of Law. While in law school, Robert received the CALI Award for earning the highest grade in Contracts, he appeared on the Dean’s List, he served as a legal advisor counseling non-profit corporations at the Loyola University Chicago School of Law Business Law Clinic, and he earned a Certificate in Trial Advocacy from Loyola’s esteemed trial advocacy program. Robert also guest lectures regarding patient care liability at the University of Illinois-Chicago, in its Master of Healthcare Administration program.
Robert is a Chicago-area native and licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois. He is a member of the Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel and he lives in the Avondale neighborhood with his wife and son.
Jessica is an Associate Attorney with O’Connor & Battle, LLP. Ms. Gomez-Feie is a trial lawyer who focuses her practice in civil rights defense. Prior to joining O’Connor & Battle, she was an Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Chicago’s Law Department, in the Federal Civil Rights division, where she defended the City and members of the Chicago Police Department against allegations of civil rights violations. She has participated in high-exposure trials and settlement conferences, and has won several motions to dismiss and motions for summary judgment.
Ms. Gomez-Feie received her Juris Doctor from the University of Illinois College of Law in Urbana-Champaign and Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Loyola University Chicago. While in law school, she was a member of the Latino/a Law Students Association and Prisoners’ Rights Research Project, and was a student advocate with the Illinois Innocence Project.
Ms. Gomez-Feie is licensed to practice law in Illinois and is a member of the Federal Trial Bar. She is also admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Her professional affiliations include the Federal Bar Association and the Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois.
Ms. Gomez-Feie is a Chicago native and lives in Pilsen with her husband and their infant twins.
Winnefred A. Monu is an associate in the Chicago office of O’Connor & Battle, L.L.P. Her practice focuses on civil rights litigation, immigration law, condominium assessment collections, real estate disputes, post judgment foreclosure matters, and default loan collections. Prior to joining O’Connor & Battle, Ms. Monu practiced as an immigration attorney with a Chicago law office managing employment-based immigration applications, H-1B visas, and submissions to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. She was also an attorney for the City of Chicago representing the city in litigation and in administrative hearings prosecuting municipal code violations. Ms. Monu also worked as an associate attorney with a Chicago law office handling civil rights claims, collection matters, personal injury defense, foreclosures, and contract cases.
Ms. Monu received a Masters of Law cum laude in International Law from American University Washington College of Law, Washington, D.C. in August 2012, a Juris Doctor from The John Marshall Law School, Chicago, IL in May 2011 and Bachelor of Arts cum laude from the University of Illinois at Chicago in May 2008 graduating with a major in political science specializing in urban politics. While in law school, she clerked with the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, Public Interest Bureau where she analyzed Illinois Whistleblower Act and seal provision violations in relation to the False Claims Act. In 2007, she served as a legislative immigration intern for Senator Barak Obama.
Ms. Monu is licensed to practice law in Illinois. She is also admitted in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Her professional affiliations include the American Bar Association, Chicago Bar Association, Cook County Bar Association Young Lawyer’s Section and serves as Committee Representative of the Black Women Lawyers’ Association. Ms. Monu is a volunteer of the Pan Africa Association and Erie Neighborhood House, Citizenship and Immigration Workshop.
Language: Igbo – Nigeria; Spanish – read
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