Richard J. Leamy, Jr.

Richard J. Leamy, Jr.
Partner

Summary
Rick Leamy has a broadly based general federal and state civil trial and appellate practice. His defense work has emphasized complex tort litigation, employment litigation and insurance coverage litigation. He has been with the firm since 1978 and is chairman of the Civil Litigation Department.

Rick has played a key role in defending a new trend of lawsuits seeking to impose "industry-wide" liability on companies. He is defending the welding rod industry from claims that welding fumes cause neurological disorders in welders. He is defending the handgun industry from claims that lawful firearms industries are responsible for gun violence.

Notable Decisions

Rick was recently selected to act as lead counsel before the Illinois Supreme Court in the City of Chicago's claim against firearm distributors. His argument that lawful and heavily regulated businesses are not liable for subsequent misuse of their products was adopted by the Supreme Court. City of Chicago and County of Cook vs. Beretta U.S.A., Corp., et al., Supreme Court Nos. 95253, 95243, 95256, and 95280 (see link to opinion here).

Rick also prevailed in a two month jury trial conducted in the Federal District Court in New York, absolving his clients of liability for gun violence in New York. (See National Association for the Advancement of Colored People vs. Acusport Corporation, et al., Court Nos. 99 CIV 7037 (JBW) and 99 CV 3999 (JBW)).

Rick has represented United Airlines in litigation throughout the country.

Rick is a frequent lecturer on industry-wide and business litigaiton.

Professional Affiliations

American Bar Association (Member, Sections on Litigation, Insurance, Negligence and Compensation Law)
Illinois State Bar Association
Chicago Bar Association
Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel

Professional Background
Following his law school graduation, Rick served a judicial clerkship from 1977 to 1978 with the Michigan Court of Appeals.

Bar Admissions

Illinois
Michigan
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois (including Trial Bar)
Application to Missouri Bar pending

Richard J. Leamy, Jr.

rjleamy@wmlaw.com
Direct Dial: 312-596-4939
Fax 312-855-1792

Administrative Assistants
Sue Perlinski
Direct Dial: 312-596-4927
smperlinski@wmlaw.com

Michelle Booth
Direct Dial: 312-596-4926
mhbooth@wmlaw.com

Education
J.D., DePaul University School of Law, 1977
B.A., Western Michigan University, 1974

Frank J. Wiedner
John P. McAuliffe
Russell P. Standlee
Paul W. Wiedner
Richard J. Leamy, Jr.
Mark C. Wiedner
Timothy D. McMahon
Mark D. Wilkening
Michael F. Doerries
James W. Stevenson, Jr.
Janet D. Pallardy
Catherine Mafee Levine
Mark P. Matranga
Robert L. Smith
James W. Ozog
David J. O'Connell
Thomas W. Weber
J. Jason Coggins
Brian J. Koch
Ingrid M. Lulich
Erica N. Rogina
Emily E. Borg
James M. Rozak
Karen E. Coon
Robert H. Fredian
Linda A. Robert
Patrick J. Morris
Jennifer J. Karpinski
Jason T. Stellmach
Jennifer J.C. Kerns
John E. Bauman
Thomas C. Quail
Mary C. Sabatino
Jeremy M. Manson
Brian J. Benoit
Timothy S. McNally
Margaret G. McMahon
Staci A. Williamson
James M. McClintick
Ryan M. Frierott
Randall W. Sladek
Kenneth F. Smith
Adam B. Rucker
David Sethi
Daniel R. Simones
Robert D. Connealy
Roma G. Parikh
Maria C. Granjean
James B. Wiedner
Diane Smart
Morgan A. Hibbard
Julie B. Hovermale