Brian J . B enoit

brianjb*** @gmail.com

(***) * 58 - 0249

Skills and Areas of Expertise

● Fire and Casualty Investigation: Evaluated liability exposure in catastrophic fire and casualty claims through investigation of post incident reports, participation in scene and evidence exams (over 100) and consultation with clients regarding potential liability and monetary exposure prior to potential resolution.

● National Product Liability Counsel: Evaluated claims and lawsuits for particular product lines of a Fortune 500 consumer product manufacturer and producer. Provided legal assistance regarding trends in defect allegations and product safety related issues. Worked with overseas insurers and manufacturers regarding indemnity and contractual obligations with the client and compliance with domestic discovery obligations.

● Civil Litigation: Defended wrongful death, personal injury and property damage lawsuits across the country in state and federal courts. Activities included responsive pleadings, motion practice, oral and written discovery, expert witness consultation and evaluation, including D aubert m otions, arbitration, settlement conferences and mediation. Deposition experience includes first chair depositions of fact witnesses, treating physicians, expert witnesses in the areas of mechanical and electrical engineering, forensic pathology and fire investigation. Second chair of several trials involving wrongful death and catastrophic injury matters.

● Subrogated claims on behalf of major insurance carriers following first party loss claims.

● Commercial Litigation: Represented clients, primarily construction service providers, regarding collection on disputed contracts, mechanic's lien practice and defense of counterclaims surrounding performance-related disputes.

● Coverage Analysis: Evaluated and negotiated coverage issues pertaining to McLarens' role as a third party administrator for various insurance cover-holders around the country. Worked with Lloyd's of London to evaluate the best possibility strategies for settling insurance claims on behalf of insureds.

● Legal Industry Contributor: Frequent speaker and author to industry related organizations such as DRI, C LM, IDC and the International Association of Arson Investigators and National Fire Protection Association. Provided continuing education seminars to clients in the insurance industry. For a list of publications and seminars, please see the attached "Industry Publications and Seminars." Employment

● Litchfield Cavo LLP - Associate ( January, 2018 - April, 2018) o Perform toxic tort coverage and liability analyses. Advise clients as to potential exposure to primary and excess policies covering asbestos related exposure injuries. Prepare briefing on dispositive motions and discovery related motions. Conducted analyses on explosion lawsuits for liability and necessary expert retention.

● Nyhan Bambrick Kinzie & Lowry - Partner ( April, 2017 - August, 2017) o Evaluated claims and lawsuits involving construction litigation, K otecki waiver issues, product liability matter, premises liability issues, consulted on coverage matters, dram shop cases and general liability matters. Took over twenty depositions in the brief time while employed to advise clients, both domestically and internationally on liability exposure and settlement potential.

● McLarens, Inc., Glen Ellyn, IL (Chicago) - General Adjuster ( July, 2015 -April, 2017) o McLarens, Inc. is a multinational independent adjusting firm that focuses on first and third party adjusting of property, casualty and recall losses. While at McLarens, I managed, resolved and settled numerous, first party, third party and recall claims and lawsuits while also managing counsel in liability and coverage matters. Developed McLarens’ subrogation program for recovery of first party claims as TPA for a major insurance provider.

● Goldberg Segalla LLP, Chicago, IL office - Partner ( January, 2014 -May, 2015) o Goldberg Segalla is a multi-disciplinary law firm with over 225 lawyers spread across 18 offices in the United States and London. At Goldberg Segalla I served on the product liability committee and was in the leadership of the fire and casualty subcommittee. I took dozens of depositions and presented witnesses for depositions, including experts, corporate witnesses, and fact witnesses in cases involving products, architects and engineers, municipal liability and insurance related matters.

● Wiedner &, McAuliffe, Ltd., Chicago, IL office - Partner ( December, 2013 -January, 2014), A ssociate

(February, 2007 -December, 2013)

o Wiedner & McAuliffe specializes in civil defense litigation and workers compensation defense. Wiedner

& McAuliffe has over 50 lawyers spread across four offices in the Midwest. While at Wiedner & McAuliffe I specialized in product liability defense, auto defense and subrogation, commercial law involving disputed contracts, mechanic’s liens and recoupment of funds owed to corporate clients. Education

● J.D., The John Marshall Law School, 2006 (Dean’s List)

● B.A. University of Arizona, 2002 (Dean’s List)

o Full tuition scholarship in trombone as a non-major jazz trombonist. Bar Admissions

● Illinois, 2006

● Northern District of Illinois, 2006

● Central District of Illinois, 2010

Organizations and Leadership Positions

● Defense Research Institute -Young Lawyer Liaison for the Fire and Casualty Subcommittee

● Claims and Litigation Management Alliance -Publication Co-Chair for the Fire and Explosion Committee

● Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel (IDC) - Quarterly Contributor for IDC Quarterly's Product Liability Column

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