CONTACT INFORMATION

Chicago t 312.258.5649 f 312.258.5600 E-mail Download vCard

PRACTICE AREAS

BAR ADMISSIONS

  • Illinois
  • Michigan
  • New York
  • Wisconsin
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (Trial Bar)
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin

News

Joshua D. Lee

Partner

Joshua D. Lee concentrates his practice on complex litigation, including product liability, mass tort and state and federal constitutional litigation. Mr. Lee has significant experience in:

  • Appellate practice
  • Class actions
  • Civil conspiracy
  • Consumer fraud
  • Medical malpractice
  • Seeking insurance coverage for products-related occurrences
  • Insufficient notice and offsets in liquidation proceedings in the field of reinsurance
  • Misappropriation of trade secrets

Mr. Lee has litigated around the country, and tried cases in several jurisdictions. His recent litigation matters have involved:

  • Agricultural and construction equipment
  • Collective bargaining agreements and the Labor Management Relations Act
  • Constitutional law, including civil rights claims, executive privilege and qualified immunity
  • Friction products
  • Hand tools
  • Industrial insulation materials
  • Injunctions, including First Amendment issues
  • Juvenile products, including car seats
  • Material handling equipment
  • Misappropriation of trade secrets
  • Woodworking and metalworking equipment

Mr. Lee also is frequently called upon to analyze and brief complex legal issues in matters where he is not the primary trial attorney. Recently, these matters have included:

  • Defense verdict in a civil conspiracy case, where the plaintiff was awarded nearly $20 million against co-defendants
  • Directed verdict in favor defendant on a novel theory of liability in a Wisconsin product liability case
  • Summary judgment on an issue of first impression related to duty of manufacturer
  • Appellate opinion affirming summary judgment obtained by Mr. Lee that brought to a close litigation that had lasted for nearly a decade prior to Mr. Lee's involvement in the matter
  • Appellate opinion affirming summary judgment obtained by Mr. Lee in a civil conspiracy case
  • Appellate opinion affirming summary judgment on an issue of first impression in a Michigan product liability case
  • Dismissal with prejudice of plaintiff's claims on a novel theory of liability in a California mass tort case
  • Dismissal with prejudice of plaintiff's claims on a novel theory of liability in an Alabama mass tort case
  • Summary judgment on the issue of causation in a product liability case
  • Denial of an opposing party's request to consolidate litigation before the Judicial Panel on Multi-District Litigation
  • Amicus briefing in a case that led to a change in Illinois product liability law

Outside of the courtroom, Mr. Lee serves as national and regional counsel to firm clients, with responsibility for the development, coordination and implementation of overall defense strategy.

Publications

"The TIPS Leadership Academy: Diversity in Action," TortSource (Spring 2007)

"Additional Insureds and Contractual Indemnity," Additional Insureds Conference (May 2004)

Speeches and Presentations

"Jury Selection and Jury Persuasion in Federal Trials: It Isn't as Limited As You Might Think," (panelist) HarrisMartin Federal and State Asbestos Litigation Conference, Naples, Fla. (February 21, 2012)

"The New Frontier: Science, Technology and the Law in 2011," (program chair) American Bar Association, Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section, 20th Annual Spring CLE, Phoenix, Ariz. (March 31 – April 2, 2011)

"Critiquing and Interpreting Scientific Studies: A Guide for Toxic Tort/Environmental Law Practitioners," (moderator) American Bar Association, Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section, 17th Annual Spring CLE, Phoenix, Ariz. (April 11, 2008)

Pro Bono Activities

Mr. Lee has been involved in Schiff Hardin's partnership with Chicago Volunteer Legal Services (CVLS) at the Howard Area Legal Clinic. In addition to his work at the clinic, Mr. Lee has prosecuted a number of civil-rights claims in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. In 2008, Mr. Lee was honored for excellence in pro bono and public interest service by the judges of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and the Chicago Chapter of the Federal Bar Association.

 

Awards and Honors

Illinois Rising Star — Personal Injury Defense: Products, Illinois Super Lawyers
Award for Excellence in Pro Bono and Public Interest Service, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and Federal Bar Association, Chicago Chapter

Education

University of Michigan Law School(J.D., 2002)
Valparaiso University(B.A., B.S., 1998)Christ College Scholar in Humanities

Clerkships

Honorable Marilyn Kelly, Michigan Supreme Court (2002-2003)

Professional Memberships

American Bar Association
Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section
      Appellate Advocacy Committee
            Vice-Chair
      Ethics and Professionalism Special Standing Committee
            Past Chair
      Communications-Publications Editorial Board Special Standing
        Committee
      Toxic Torts and Environmental Law Committee
            Chair-Elect
Illinois State Bar Association
Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel
Chicago Bar Association
Chicago Council of Lawyers
Defense Research Institute