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Chicago Aviation Litigation Lawyer
Overview
William T. Gibbs is a partner at the Chicago personal injury and medical malpractice law firm of Corboy & Demetrio and concentrates his practice on cases arising from railroad negligence, automobile collisions, participation in sports, unsafe pharmaceuticals or medical devices, construction negligence, medical negligence, premises liability, product liability and aviation litigation...
William T. Gibbs is a partner at the Chicago personal injury and medical malpractice law firm of Corboy & Demetrio and concentrates his practice on cases arising from railroad negligence, automobile collisions, participation in sports, unsafe pharmaceuticals or medical devices, construction negligence, medical negligence, premises liability, product liability and aviation litigation...
William T. Gibbs is a partner at the Chicago personal injury and medical malpractice law firm of Corboy & Demetrio and concentrates his practice on cases arising from railroad negligence, automobile collisions, participation in sports, unsafe pharmaceuticals or medical devices, construction negligence, medical negligence, premises liability, product liability and aviation litigation.
For more than a decade at Corboy & Demetrio, Bill has obtained numerous record-setting and multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements on behalf of his clients. His list of representative clients demonstrates the diversity of his practice.
Bill worked with Thomas Demetrio to secure a $29.6 million verdict on behalf of a woman who was brain damaged in the derailment of a speeding train in Chicago. The verdict is the largest in Illinois for an individual injured in a mass transit crash. In a Federal District Court case, he obtained a $6.6 million verdict for a family injured in an automobile collision. It was the largest verdict ever in that Court.
In another case, Bill secured a $6.75 million settlement for the family of Justyna Palka, who was a pedestrian killed by a tour bus in Chicago.
In his sports liability practice, Bill represented Hall-of-Fame White Sox player Frank Thomas in a medical malpractice action and the matter was "resolved amicably."
Bill currently represents numerous retired NFL players and the Estate of former Chicago Bear Dave Duerson against the NFL in litigation stemming from concussions and CTE suffered by Duerson.
Bill was appointed to the Plaintiff's Executive Committee by U.S. District Court Judge Susan Richard Nelson in Minnesota, which is overseeing individual lawsuits against the National Hockey League. In addition to this leadership role in the multi district litigation, Bill represents the Estate of Steve Montador, an NHL player who died at the age of 35 after suffering multiple concussions and the effects of CTE.
Bill has appeared on national and international television networks discussing sports and C.T.E., including CNN, FOX Business News, Al Jazeera and Canadian National TV. He has been quoted numerous times by national and international media, including the New York Times, ESPN and Sports Illustrated.
Since 2022, Bill has been selected to The Best Lawyers in America, in the areas of Mass Tort/Class Actions - Plaintiffs and Personal Injury. In 2020, he was appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court to serve on its Committee for Jury Instructions in Civil Cases.
In 2017, Bill received a Trial Excellence Award from the Law Bulletin Publishing’s Jury Verdict Reporter for having the Highest Reported Verdict or Settlement in Jackson County.
Since 2015, Bill has been chosen for the highly-selective Illinois Super Lawyers and to the prestigious Illinois Leading Lawyers.
In 2009, Bill was named by the Law Bulletin Publishing Company, which publishes the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and Chicago Lawyer magazine, to its list of "40 Illinois Attorneys Under Forty to Watch," and from 2009-2014, he was designated an Illinois Super Lawyer, Rising Star.
In 2013, The National Trial Lawyers named Bill one of the Top 40 Under 40 Lawyers in the country, and since 2014, he has been named to The National Trial Lawyers: Top 100 Trial Lawyers. In 2017, The National Trial Lawyers also named Bill to NTL's Brain Injury Trial Lawyers Association Top 25.
In 2008, Bill authored an article, "A Quick Guide to the Illinois Dead Man’s Act," which was published in the Illinois Bar Journal, a publication of the Illinois State Bar Association. Bill is a frequent panelist and lecturer to local and state bar associations, CLE seminars and law schools throughout the country.
Active in many community organizations, Bill is a member of the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation Advisory Board.
In 2018, Bill was appointed to the Advisory Board of The Mike Adamle Project: Rise Above, a new initiative created to provide tools, resources and support to patients living with symptoms of CTE.
Bill was formerly a high school teacher and varsity football, basketball, and baseball coach. While at the University of Notre Dame, he was a defensive back on the varsity football team.
About William T. Gibbs
Practice Areas
- Aviation Litigation
- Construction Accidents
- Medical Devices
- Medical Malpractice
- Personal Injury & Wrongful Death
- Pharmaceutical Litigation
- Premises Liability
- Product Liability
- Railroad Negligence & FELA
- Sports Liability
- Vehicular Accidents
Current Employment Position(s)
- Partner
Qualifications
Bar Admissions
- Illinois
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court District of Nebraska
- U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. District Court Southern District of Illinois
- U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois Trial Bar
Other Affiliations
- American Association for Justice
- Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, Product Liability & Insurance Law Committee, 2019 (Co-Chair)
- Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, Board of Managers, 2017 - 2018
- Chicago Bar Association, Civil Practice Committee, Tort Litigation Committee
- National Trial Lawyers Association, Brain Injury Trial Lawyers Association, 2017 - 2018
- Notre Dame Law Association
- Fenwick Bar Association, 2005 - 2008 (Treasurer)
Education
- Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago-Kent College of Law, Chicago, Illinois, 2004
J.D.
Honors: CALI, Excellence for the Future Award, Philosophy, 2004
Honors: CALI, Excellence for the Future Award, Legal Writing, 2002 - University of Portland, Portland, Oregon, 1999
M.A. - University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, 1997
B.A.
Honors: Defensive Back, Varsity Football Team
Past Positions
- U.S. District Court Judge Susan Richard Nelson, Plaintiff Executive Committee
Pro Bono Activities
- Chicago Police Memorial Foundation, Advisory Board Member
- Mercy Home for Boys & Girls
- The Mike Adamle Project, Rise Above, Advisory Board, 2018
- Our Lady of Mercy Legal Clinic
- Oz Park Baseball Association, Board Member
- Ronald McDonald House
Classes and Seminars
- “Illinois Evidence: The CSI Effect”, Illinois State Bar Association, Criminal and Civil Evidence Issues Seminar, 2008
- “Motion Practice (615, 619, 1005)”, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, Update & Review Seminar, October 13, 2008
- “Confidentiality for Special Medical Records and Electronic Medical Records”, Lorman Medical Records Law Seminar, February 2, 2010
- “Nuts & Bolts Seminar – The Trial of a Negligence Case”, MCLE, March 25, 2011
- “Confidentiality for Special Medical Records and Electronic Medical Records”, Lorman Medical Records Law Seminar, August 2, 2011
- Guest Lecturer, Elder Law, John Marshall Law School, November 7, 2011
- “How Attorneys Find Experts”, Forensic Witness Association - Practice Development Conference, November 12, 2011
- Topics on Litigation: The Anatomy of a Civil Case”, IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law, May 17, 2012
- Speaker, CBA Sports Concussion Seminar, Chicago Bar Association, June 13, 2012
- “Legal Issues after Brain Injury”, The Brain Injury Association of Illinois, Annual Educational Conference, October 26, 2012
- “Medical Records Law”, Lorman Education Services Seminar, June 20, 2013
- Guest Lecturer, Torts I, University of Notre Dame Law School, 2013
- Guest Lecturer, Chicago-Kent College of Law, 2013
- Guest Lecturer, University of Chicago School of Law, Sports and Entertainment Law Society, 2014
- Trial Techniques for Every Stage of a Case, Chicago Bar Association, February 13, 2014
- Use of Video for Settlement, Arbitration and Trial, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, Settlements, Liens and Technology Seminar, April 5, 2014
- Finding out About Jurors: Voir dire and background checks, Pincus Professional Education, Jury Selection: Learn How to Improve Your Jury Selection Skills Seminar, April 25, 2014
- NFL/NCAA Concussion Litigation, Hot Topics in Sports Law, Valparaiso University Law School Sports Law Symposium, November 21, 2014
- Jury Instructions – Dealing with Difficult Defense Counsel, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, Trials Seminar, March 28, 2015
- Guest Lecturer, University of Notre Dame Law School, National Football League and National Hockey League Players’ Concussion Injury Litigation, November 11, 2015
- “Discovery Tailored to the Case – Taxi cab, Uber, trucking, boating, CTA, Metra, etc…”, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association Education Fund, Nuts and Bolts of a Case Seminar, April 2, 2016
- Litigating Brain Injury Cases, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association Update & Review Seminar, October 22, 2016
- The Law of Sports Brian Injuries, The Brain Injury Association of Illinois, Annual Educational Conference, October 28, 2016
- Non-Economic Damages, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association Education Fund Damages Seminar, March 31, 2017
- NHL Litigation and Settled NFL Litigation, The Chicago Bar Association Municipal & Law Committee Meeting, May 18, 2017
- Sports Concussions and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, The Society of Trial Lawyers, May 1, 2018
Achievements
Other Sources of Feedback About William T. Gibbs
Included on the 2024 Illinois list
Past Lists
- 2023 Illinois Super Lawyers list
- 2022 Illinois Super Lawyers list
- 2021 Illinois Super Lawyers list
- 2020 Illinois Super Lawyers list
- 2019 Illinois Super Lawyers list
- 2018 Illinois Super Lawyers list
- 2017 Illinois Super Lawyers list
- 2016 Illinois Super Lawyers list
- 2015 Illinois Super Lawyers list
- 2014 Illinois Super Lawyers list
- 2013 Illinois Super Lawyers list
- 2012 Illinois Super Lawyers list
- 2011 Illinois Super Lawyers list
- 2010 Illinois Super Lawyers list
- 2009 Illinois Super Lawyers list
Honors
- "40 Illinois Attorneys Under Forty to Watch," Law Bulletin Publishing Company, 2009 - 2014
- The Society of Trial Lawyers, 2018 - Present
- Trial Excellence Award, Law Bulletin Publishing, Jury Verdict Reporter, 2017
- Leading Lawyers, 2014 - Present
- Illinois Super Lawyer, 2015 - Present
- Top 25, The National Trial Lawyers, Brain Injury Trial Lawyers Association, 2017 - Present
- Top 100 Trial Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers, 2014, 2019
- Top 40 under 40, The National Trial Lawyers, 2013
- Irish Legal 100, 2018 - Present
- Illinois Super Lawyer Rising Star, 2009 - 2014
Office Information
Address
33 North Dearborn Street21st Floor Chicago, IL 60602
Accepts Credit Cards
Yes
Websites
Publication
Articles
- Move to Protect Student-Athletes, Such as Tagovailoa, Better for All, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, Volume 165, Number 231, 2019
NCAA rules restrict student-athletes from earning money while attending college on scholarships. But, that tide is changing. The next generation of college athletes may be able to capitalize on their image and likeness while competing as students. - Khalil Mack’s Contract Success Turns NFL Labor Pact Inside Out, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, Volume 165, Number 185, 2019
It was widely believed that a player had to play through his entire rookie contract before negotiating for the second contract that includes guarantees. But, Khalil Mack’s holdout began a new era in NFL contractual dealings. - Warriors in Line to Be Two-Time Losers If Durant Pursues Lawsuit, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, Volume 165, Number 147, 2019
With Kevin Durant's injury, can he pursue a claim for damages against the Warriors and/or medical staff? - Referee Immunity to Blown Calls Remains Unsettled Area, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, Volume 165, Number 103, 2019
The umpire, referee, linesman or line judge are often an unnoticed, yet integral component of the game, match or contest. It is only when an apparent error is made that a professional game official is even noticed in most sports contests. - Exploding Basketball Shoe Enough to Make Risk-Adverse Crowd Cringe, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, Volume 165, Number 65, 2019
Zion Williamson, from Duke, exploded onto the college basketball scene. But, an exploding Nike shoe almost cut short his season. His shoe malfunctioned and ripped the upper part of the shoe from the sole triggering a knee injury. - 2018 Filled with Sports Legal Bouts; Just the Start?, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2019
- As Time Goes on, Shady Dealings with NCAA Basketball Schools Grow, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2018
- Coaching More Than X’s, O’s in #MeToo Times, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2018
- Liability and Golf Generally Strangers in Court, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2018
- Say it Ain’t So, Joe: Gambling 100 Years After Black Sox, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2018
- Civil Action Against Lecherous Physician Still a Possibility, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2018
- Lowly Gym Shoe May be Undoing of College Hoops, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2017
- In Flag Fracas, Hernandez Falls Out of Focus, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2017
- While O.J. Goes Free, the Story is Far from Over, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2017
- While Cool and Refreshing, Water Sports Pose a Danger, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2017
- Gym Class Liability Case Clarifies Immunity Claims, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2017
- After Super Bowl Hoopla, CTE Clock Starts for Players, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2017
- While Edison Couldn’t Dunk, Today’s Athletes Owe Him, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2016
- Gary Bettman Appears to be in Denial on NHL, CTE, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2016
- Gyms Don’t Get Free Ride with Liability Injuries, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2016
- Curse of the Athlete: Painkillers Help but also Hurt, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2016
- Willful and wanton conduct with kids gets clearer reading, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2016
- NFL Concussion Deal Offers Hope to Affected Ex-Players, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2016
- Brain concussions, CTE link becomes clearer every day, 2016
- NFL Brain Damage Epidemic Continues, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2014
- A Quick Guide to the Illinois Dead Man's Act, Illinois Bar Journal, 2008
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