SUZAN J. SUTHERLAND

I am an experienced trial attorney who strategically manages and supervises litigation from first notice of a claim through trial and potential appeal. I have been the lead attorney in over fifty jury trials in state and federal courts and I have successfully defended clients in bench trials and evidentiary hearings before administrative agencies. I have significant experience handling appeals before the United States Court of Appeals, the Seventh Circuit, the Illinois Supreme Court, and the Illinois Fourth District Court of Appeals.

With almost 45 years of legal experience, I deftly manage a variety of complex matters for a diverse group of clients before state and federal courts in litigation involving business disputes, construction defects, premises and product liability claims and real estate transactions. I have also represented a number of clients defending employment-related claims. I skillfully negotiate matters through alternative dispute resolution forums such as binding arbitrations, court-sponsored settlement conferences and private mediations. I am adept at drafting pleadings and motions, completing written discovery, and conducting fact and expert witness depositions.

Prior to joining MWH Law Group LLP, I represented several insurance companies in lawsuits involving commercial property and title loss claims. I also defended companies and individuals as well as defended numerous corporations and individuals who had been sued in conjunction with their insurance policies. While holding a position within a large insurance company, I managed diverse general, construction, product liability, auto, property, and commercial liability cases including over fifty construction cases.

• Obtained numerous jury defense verdicts defending personal injury, commercial, contract, property and civil rights cases throughout Illinois.
• Represented Chicago Housing Authority in a jury trial of a death case in an elevator at the Robert Taylor Homes; trial ended successfully without payment of any money by the CHA.
• Complete responsibility for clients’ self-insured nationwide product liability programs including selection and supervision of local counsel in other states and settlement or trial of such cases.
• At trial in admitted liability case in federal court with a $500,000.00 demand succeeded in only paying $115.00 through innovative defense strategies including offer of judgment.
• Innovatively devised a contractual agreement to split the judgment between co-defendants in an admitted liability case which resulted at trial in a verdict below the settlement offer and was the first such agreement reported according to the Cook County Jury Verdict Reporter.

1. MWH Law Group LLP, Special Counsel, August 2019 – Present
2. Law Office of Suzan Sutherland, Sole Practitioner, 2013 – Present
3. Fidelity National Law Group, Assistant Attorney General, 2012 – 2013
4. Farmers Insurance Group, Illinois Attorney General’s Office, 2008 – 2010
5. Norton, Mancini & Weiler, Litigation Counsel, 2006 – 2008
6. One Beacon Insurance Co./Liberty Mutual Insurance Co., 2000 – 2005