Cucco & Kearns LLC
Responsiveness, trust, integrity, coordination and teamwork are the guiding principles as we work together to achieve superior results.
About us
EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENCE
Cucco & Kearns LLC is a premier trial law firm in Chicago focusing on civil litigation. Our Mission Statement guides the relationships we have with our clients. The approach is client-centered and results-driven. The attorneys at Cucco & Kearns LLC provide “big law” quality work and fierce advocacy in a streamlined boutique setting. Our clients receive the level of excellence, skill and trial experience associated with the finest larger firms, while benefiting from our personalized attention and a focus on efficiency.We are seasoned trial lawyers, skilled negotiators, and dedicated advocates. At Cucco & Kearns LLC, we focus on a singular goal -- implementing winning strategies tailored to fit each case to achieve the best possible results for our clients. We value long-lasting relationships and provide the highest quality legal representation.We will take the time to understand you and your business or profession. Together, we will work with you to develop a focused plan that addresses the legal issues and the best possible outcome. We believe in early intervention and investigation to evaluate a claim while keeping our clients thoroughly informed throughout the litigation process. With this approach, our goal is to eliminate any surprises as we execute the strategy.
Our team
Michael Cucco
Michael J. Cucco has over 35 years experience litigating and trying cases. He has an extensive civil litigation practice with a focus on medical malpractice.Mike’s experience includes all aspects of professional negligence claims, in which he represents physicians, hospitals, clinics and nursing homes. His product liability experience includes the representation of a gas can manufacturer, boat manufacturer, engine manufacturer, welding rod manufacturer, medical device manufacturer and many others. He has defended multiple claims asserting damages due to food borne illness and allergy. In the environmental arena, Mike has defended class action complaints alleging injury due to asbestos, mold, lead paint and manganese. Mike has litigated cases involving catastrophic auto injuries, defamation, general negligence, commercial business disputes, legal malpractice, premises liability, lease disputes and maritime law. He has tried many cases to verdict and has successfully handled catastrophic injury actions in a number of jurisdictions.Mike has been named a Leading Lawyer as compiled by the Law Bulletin Publishing Company in the areas of medical malpractice, products liability and toxic torts. He has also been recognized as a Super Lawyer by his peers for his ethical standards and achievements in the fields of civil defense litigation, personal injury defense, product liability defense and environmental law defense. This is a recognition limited to no more than 5% of the attorneys in the state. Mike has an “AV” rating from Martindale-Hubbell indicating the highest ranking in legal authority and ethical standards as determined by his peers in the legal community.
312-253-6401
Christopher R. Kearns
Christopher R. Kearns has over 25 years of experience in complex civil litigation and trial work. He has significant trial experience as well as experience with mediation, arbitration, administrative hearings and other forms of alternative dispute resolution. Throughout his
career, Chris has handled a variety of complex and catastrophic matters, including: business counseling and commercial disputes, professional liability, tort
litigation, construction, real estate, premises liability, employment, toxic tort, warranty disputes and product liability.
Chris represents business owners and their companies in many industries, including: construction, manufacturing, software/IT, education, insurance, maritime, real estate development and others. He represents doctors, nurses, hospitals and other medical professionals in professional liability matters. He also represents businesses and individuals in employment disputes, motor vehicle accidents and other catastrophic injury litigation.
A graduate of Marquette University and the John Marshall Law School, Chris is admitted to practice in the State of Illinois and the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. He also served as a Board Member and Corporate Secretary of ECR International, Inc., an international manufacturer of hvac products. He is a member of the Illinois Bar Association and other professional organizations.
312-253-6402
Victoria Shoemaker
Victoria Shoemaker is a partner at Cucco & Kearns LLC. She is a trial attorney who concentrates her practice in civil litigation, with an emphasis on medical liability defense. Victoria provides counseling and advocacy services to a wide range of professionals and businesses and has significant experience in high-exposure cases. With her commitment to thorough discovery, cohesive defense strategy, and rigorous advocacy, Victoria has successfully defended clients in all aspects of litigation from prevailing on dispositive motions through favorable alternative resolution and trial. Victoria has extensive experience representing various healthcare providers, such as physicians, medical groups, hospitals, and home health agencies in all phases of complex litigation both in state and federal courts with an undefeated jury trial record.Prior to joining Cucco & Kearns, Victoria worked at a prominent civil defense firm where she gained valuable experience in professional liability and other tort liability litigation and co-chaired several jury trials.While in law school, Victoria served as Lead Articles Editor for The Loyola University Chicago Law Journal. She also served as a judicial extern to the Honorable Blanche Manning of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.Victoria is involved in several professional organizations. She is fluent in Ukrainian and Russian.Credentials
Loyola University Chicago, J.D., magna cum laude
Kyiv National Taras Shevchenko University, Ukraine, M.A., with honors
Kyiv National Taras Shevchenko University, Ukraine, B.A., with honorsBar Admissions
Illinois
Court Admissions
Supreme Court of Illinois
U.S. District Court, Northern District of IllinoisDistinctions
Super Lawyers Rising Star, 2019-2022 (Thomson Reuters)
312-253-6403
Christian D. Ambler
Christian D. Ambler is a Partner at Cucco & Kearns. He was admitted to the Illinois Bar and the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois in 1995. He graduated that same year from DePaul University College of Law, where he served on the DePaul Law Review, as the Managing Editor of Lead Articles. Following law school, Mr. Ambler served two years as law clerk to the Honorable Robert C. Buckley on the Illinois Appellate Court.Mr. Ambler’s practice focuses on the analysis and litigation of complex construction accident and defect cases, insurance coverage claims, products liability suits, and professional liability disputes. Mr. Ambler represents some of the nation’s largest construction companies and insurers throughout Illinois and Indiana, and he has appeared on their behalf in state and federal courts in Wisconsin, Alabama, Missouri and Kansas.In over 30 years of practice, Mr. Ambler’s trial experience ranges from simple accidents to complex toxic tort and construction defect cases. He also constantly searches for pathways to case resolution short of trial.Representative recent outcomes include:LePretre v. Lend Lease (US) Construction, Inc., 2017 IL App. (1st) 162320, 82 N.E.3d 174. First District Appellate Court upheld summary judgment in
favor of a general contractor in an opinion placing significant restraints on a plaintiff’s right to recover for a construction site injury under the retained control doctrine.Summary judgment in favor of another general contractor where evidence through discovery could not support the contention that the general contractor created or knew of alleged dangerous condition. Jury verdict in St. Joseph County, Indiana where the plaintiffs’ house was constructed with the furnace and the fireplace venting into the attic and the chimney chase, rather than outside the house. The plaintiffs claimed their
exposure to mold and carbon monoxide caused permanent personal injuries,
psychological damage and economic loss. Liability could not be disputed, and the case was tried on damages. After a 7-day trial, the jury’s verdict was just 3% of the plaintiffs’ initial demand and less than 10% of their final demand.
Summary judgment in an environmental insurance coverage case involving more than $10 million in defense and remediation costs.Summary judgment in an $8 million advertising injury insurance coverage dispute.
Summary judgment in a fatal products liability toxic tort case.
Summary judgment in a professional liability case involving a $3 million underlying award.In addition to his litigation experience, Mr. Ambler has delivered Continuing Legal Education programs and seminars in areas of contractual risk transfer, long-tail insurance coverage and professional liability. He is a member of the Defense Research Institute, the Chicago Bar Association, and the Armadillo Club.
312-319-4606
Richard A. Valek
Richard A. Valek was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, and has more than 35 years of experience as a civil trial attorney. He is licensed to practice in the
State of Illinois, the Federal Districts for the Northern and Central District of Illinois, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. He is a member of the Federal Trial Bar, the Chicago Bar Association, and the Illinois State Bar Association. Mr. Valek also serves as President of the Bohemian
Lawyers’ Association of Chicago.He completed his undergraduate and legal education at DePaul University. He also received a graduate degree in insurance by attaining the Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) distinction. Mr. Valek has tried numerous jury trials to verdict involving premises liability, products liability, motor vehicle liability, and false arrest/imprisonment in various Illinois courts, many of which included damages in excess of one million dollars. He also frequently serves as an arbitrator in various venues across Illinois. Mr. Valek’s clients include several large corporations including product manufacturers, financial institutions, insurance carriers, retail establishments,restaurants, security companies, maintenance companies, shopping mall operators, and several others.Mr. Valek has published articles in Mealey’s Litigation Reporter, The Defense Research Institute, The American Arbitration Association, and is frequently asked to provide litigation workshops and presentations for his clients.
312-319-4605
Areas of Practice
Who we Represent
PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY
We represent doctors, nurses, hospitals, nursing homes, dentists and other healthcare providers. We also handle professional liability claims against accountants, directors & officers, insurance agents and brokers, and other professionals. We represent clients in complex cases with high exposure both in state and federal courts. We have expertise in the confidentiality issues that are presented in these claims as well as the need to protect the personal reputation and ongoing practices of our clients. We work closely with our clients to develop a strategy and plan of action for a cost-effective, successful resolution of each case. Our decades of experience have allowed us to become familiar with and develop a library of highly qualified expert witnesses to help in the evaluation and litigation of these cases. We also represent licensed professionals at all stages of IDFPR disciplinary proceedings - from the moment they receive a call or visit from an investigator all the way through the formal hearing process.
PRODUCTS LIABILITY AND TOXIC TORTS
We have been involved in high stakes litigation alleging defective products and exposure to toxic substances. We have handled litigation related to construction products, recreational products, medical devices and drugs, consumer products, boat and automobile products. We have also represented clients in litigation involving exposure to lead-based paint, hydrochloric acid, manganese, asbestos, zinc, lime, chromium, carbon monoxide and vapor intrusion, and sulfuric acid. We understand the properties and effects of exposure to toxic substances and can assist you in developing a comprehensive litigation plan. We will gain an understanding of the products to develop a business-focused strategy for handling your litigation. We will make decisions based on doing the right thing for you, your customers, employees and shareholders while protecting reputations and viability going forward.
TRANSPORTATION
Our experience includes litigating catastrophic claims involving automobiles, trucks, buses and railroads. Our firm represents owners, operators, carriers and their insurers in matters involving statutory and regulatory violations and personal injury cases. Our attorneys perform early assessments of both the liability and damage aspects of each case and evaluate cases for potential early resolution. We work with groups of seasoned investigators and experts who specialize in collecting and analyzing accident evidence. We have handled transportation cases in all aspects of civil litigation, from case assessment through jury verdict and judgment.
EMPLOYMENT LIABILITY
We represent individuals and businesses in litigation involving employment disputes, wrongful discharge and discrimination. We have handled claims in Federal Court as well as at the EEOC, Illinois Department of Human Rights and the Chicago Commission on Human Relations. Whether at the administrative stage or in litigation, our representation includes clients across a broad spectrum of industries and organizations. When an individual files a lawsuit or sends a demand letter from a lawyer, we evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the claim so we can collaborate and execute a cost-effective approach to getting the matter resolved in the manner and time frame that best advances the business interests and reputation of our clients.
REAL ESTATE AND WARRANTY CLAIMS
We represent property owners facing liability for injuries and damage occurring on their property, allegations of intentional conduct, negligence in maintaining property and for acts of third parties. Our experience representing property owners includes Dram Shop claims, landlord tenant disputes, and breach of contract actions.We represent manufacturers, finance companies and individuals in warranty disputes, claims arising under manufacturer’s warranties, Magnuson Moss, UCC, fraud claims, and other consumer protection statutes.
CONSTRUCTION AND DESIGN DEFECT CLAIMS
We have a comprehensive understanding of the entire construction process and offer significant legal experience to our clients. We have been involved in all phases of the construction process, including contract negotiation and preparation, project and post-project dispute resolution and complex bodily injury and property damage litigation. We have represented owners, architects, engineers, general contractors and subcontractors in all types of construction disputes. We are familiar with the contract, risk transfer and insurance coverage issues that arise in construction and will take the steps to protect our clients. We have been involved in a wide variety of construction projects including: high-rise construction, single family and multi-unit residential construction, road and bridge construction, airports, hospitals, utility projects, trenching, demolition, retail development and industrial construction.
COMMERCIAL LITIGATION
We have both the knowledge and the resources to help you resolve the variety of disputes that may arise in the course of doing business. Our team will work closely with your company in order to develop an action plan designed to protect your short and long term business interests. We understand your need to maintain strategic relationships while also ensuring that you maximize the potential of all your business dealings. We have represented many businesses in contract disputes, lease disputes, partnership disputes, cases involving wrongful discharge, negligent hiring and the litigation of non-compete and non-solicitation clauses.
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