Practice Areas: Personal Injury, Aviation & Aerospace, Appellate
Licensed in Illinois since: 2002
Education: Loyola University Chicago School of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2014 - 2024 
Selected to Rising Stars: 2009 - 2013 
Free Consultation Dunn Harrington Trial Lawyers
22 West WashingtonSuite 1500
Chicago, IL 60602 Phone: 872-282-4603 Email: Colin H. Dunn Visit website
Details
Colin Dunn is a highly successful catastrophic accident, trucking accident, medical malpractice, premise liability lawyer, aviation accident attorney, and partner at Dunn Harrington. He has worked on a number of high-profile, complex personal injury cases.
In recognition for his outstanding legal work, Mr. Dunn was named to the Law Bulletin Publishing Company's 2010 "40 under 40" attorney list recognizing Illinois's top up-and-coming lawyers. He was named a Super Lawyers’ “Rising Star” annually since 2009, and has been named a Super Lawyer annually since 2012.
First Admitted: 2002, Illinois
Professional Webpage: https://www.dunnharrington.com/attorney/dunn-colin-h/
Educational Background:
- B.A. from Miami University, 1999
- J.D. magna cum laude from Loyola University of Chicago School of Law, 2002
Bar/Professional Activity:
- American Bar Association, 2002
- Appellate Lawyers Association, 2002
- Chicago Bar Association - Member of Judicial Evaluation Committee - Vice Chair of Aviation Litigation Committee (2009) - Chair of Aviation Litigation Committee (2010) - Co-Chair of Young Lawyers Section Tort Committee (2011-12), 2002
- Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, 2002
- American Association for Justice, 2002
Other Outstanding Achievements:
- Illinois' 40 Under 40, 2010
Pro bono/Community Service:
- Represented two police officers in contract action against a wedding planner, 2021
- Represented Maternal Grandmother in guardianship dispute over grandchildren in DeKalb County (In re Guardianship of M.S. and I.S. (08 P 77), 2008
- Appointed the Guardian Ad Litem of 80-year-old woman for whom daughter was seeking to become legal representative, 2010
- Appointed by Illinois Appellate Court (First District) as Appellate Counsel for Defendant-Appellant in People of the State of Illinois v. Andrew McCowan (1-08-2268), 2009
- Appointed as Appellate Counsel by Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals for Defendant-Appellant in United States v. Anthony Fletcher (08-3195), 2008
Scholarly Lectures/Writings:
- Discussing cases that interpret Illinois' venue statute. ITLA Trial Journal, Volume 24, Number 2, Summer 2022, Author, Gaps Filled in Venue Statute, 2022
- Co-Author, Use Of Expert Witnesses In Aviation Cases, Litigating The Aviation Case: From Pre-Trial to Closing Argument, 2008
- reviewing cases where zero-damage jury verdict was overturned, March 28, 2012, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, Author, Recent zero-damage awards lack support, 2012
- Speaker, Update In Aviation Law, ABA Aviation and Space Law Litigation Conference, 2007
- case finding EMS System Act trumped Vehicle Code, April 25, 2012, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, Author, Court considers EMS System Act and liability to third parties, 2012
- Whether Federal Rules Of Civil Procedure require some independent experts to issue reports under Rule 26, Author, Do Treating Physicians Have To Issue Expert Reports, Dec. 29, 2010, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2010
- what happens when a plaintiff is appointed as the representative of an estate after a case is filed and after the statute of limitations has expired, Author, Post-filing appointment, Nov. 24, 2010, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2010
- reviewing case where settlement with agent didn't extinguish claims against principal, May 30, 2012, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, Author, Appellate court holds Gilbert rule can be avoided by estoppel doctrine, 2012
- a review of cases explaining when punitive damages may be sought in wrongul death cases or survival act cases where the plaintiff has died, Author, No Punitive Damages In Death Cases, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2010
- reviewing case where special adminstrator appointment occurred late, June 27, 2012, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, Author, Ruling favors plaintiff in scissor lift case, 2012
- CTA's common carrier status does not trump the natural accumulation rule, Author, Ice, Snow, Rain, and the CTA, Sept. 29, 2010, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2010
- reviewing case where court permitted plaintiff to testify as to lack of health insurance, July 25, 2012, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, Author, Court allows health insurance testimony, 2012
- Upholding dismissa of the plaintiff's complaint where the plaintiff had intentionally destroyed evidence, Author, Dismissal For "Losing" Evidence, Aug. 25, 2010, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2010
- Whether the common fund doctrine applies to liens filed by doctors and hospitals, Author, How Can Doctors and Hospitals Justify These Actions, July 28, 2010, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2010
- how to mechanically offer medical bills into evidence at trial, Author, The Issue of Presenting Medical Bills to the Jury, June 30, 2010, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2010
- review of the Gilbert doctrine which extinguishes liability for the principal if there is a settlement with the agent if the only theory of liability against the principal is respondeat superior, Author, Settling With Agents Extinguishes Principal's Liability, April 28, 2010, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2010
- must a defendant have included a request for a set off in its answer in order to get one, Author, Does Thornton Require Pleading For Set-Offs, March 31, 2010, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2010
- review of when dicta must be followed by lower court, Author, The Battles Over What Is Binding Or Non-binding Dicta, Feb. 24, 2010, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2010
- a review of cases applying exceptions to the Illinois Supreme Court's decision in Hudson v. City of Chicago, Author, Exceptions Exist to Claim-splitting Rule, January 27, 2010, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2010
- Review of cases attempting to apply the holding in Hudson v, City of Chicago, Author, The Aftermath of Hudson: What Constitutes a Final Adjudication on the Merits, Dec. 30, 2009, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2009
- whether expert testimony is required for emotional distress cases, Author, Emotional Distress may not be Beyond the Ken Jurors, Nov. 25, 2009, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2009
- Author, Direct Participation Liability Comes To Illinois, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, Mar. 16, 2007, 2007
- whether nursing home agreements are subject to judicial review without first submitting the dispute to arbitration, Author, Clarification Needed on Nursing Home Arbitration, Oct. 14, 2009, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2009
- Author, Feres Doctrine Commands Liability For Military, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, Jan. 24, 2007, 2007
- Author, Timing Key To Impeachment Material, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, June 22, 2007, 2007
- review of the interplay between Domestic Violence Act and Tort Immunity Act, Author, Liability Under Domestic Violence Act, May 6, 2009, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2009
- Author, An Open Door To Punitive Damages, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, Sept. 11, 2007, 2007
- discussing the taking of an evidence deposition of important witnesses to preserve their testimony at trial , Author, Preserving Your Case in the Event of a Death, March 25, 2009, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2009
- Author, State Courts Can Hear Commerical Aviation Cases: Bennett v. Southwest and In re Air Crash Disaster at Lexington, Kentucky on August 27, 2006, The Federal Lawyer, Jan. 2008, 2008
- discussing the importance of properly labeling the statutory bases for a motion, Author, Make Sure To Always Read Labels, March 4, 2009, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2009
- Author, Reaffirming The Special Relationship Doctrine, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, Feb. 27, 2008, 2008
- discussing the filing of Form 95 prior to filing suit under Federal Tort Claims Act, Author, Working Your Way Through The Federal Thicket, Oct. 24, 2007, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2007
- Author, Split Over Who Should Be On The Verdict Form, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, March 26, 2008, 2008
- A complaint was dismissed because the plaintiff sued under an alias without leave of court, Feb. 24, 2011, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, Author, Don't use a fake name without leave of court, 2011
- Author, Split Over Construction Statute Of Repose, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, April 30, 2008, 2008
- the supreme court overrules case that provided willful and wanton exception to all tort immunity provisions, March 30, 2011, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, Doe is dead, 2011
- Author, Recent Guidance On Self-Imposed Rules, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, June 18, 2008, 2008
- Reviewing case analyzing amendment to tort immunity act's definition of willful and wanton, April 27, 2011, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, Author, Looking at how "willful and wanton" gets defined, 2011
- underinsured claim was not properly made, May 25, 2011, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, Author, Letter fails to trigger coverage, 2011
- Author, Illinois Adheres To The 'Reasonable Value' Rule, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, July 30, 2008, 2008
- reviewing case where valid social host liability discussed, June 29, 2011, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, Author, Valid basis for social host liability, 2011
- Author, A Return To The General Assembly's Good Faith, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, Aug. 27, 2008, 2008
- discussing application of common fund doctrine to hospital liens, July 27, 2011, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, Author, Damages and the common fund doctrine, 2011
- Author, Uncertainty Surrounds The Public Duty Rule, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, Oct. 29, 2008, 2008
- reviewing automatic coverage provisions for tort cases involving trucks, Sept. 1, 2011, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, Author, Dealing with coverage in interstate trucking cases, 2011
- Author, Independent Contractor Defense Unavailable, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, December 3, 2008, 2008
- discussing recent product liability case, Sept. 28, 2011, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, Author, When does the risk-utility balancing test apply, 2011
- Author, High Court Clarifies Who Should Be On Verdict Form, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, Jan. 28, 2009, 2009
- discussing differences in pleading in state vs. federal courts, October 26, 2011, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, Author, Pleading in federal court require distinctions, 2011
- Author, In Illinois, It's Still Cheaper To Kill Than To Hurt, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, June 24, 2009, 2009
- discussing case where plaintiff did not list tort case as asset, Nov. 30, 2011, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, Author, Bankruptcy plaintiffs must disclose lawsuits, 2011
- Author, Overcoming Transfer Decision A Herculean Task, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, Aug. 7, 2009, 2009
- discussing case with potential theory for reduction of ERISA lien, Dec. 28, 2011, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, Author, ERISA plan may stall in reimbursement recovery, 2011
- Author, When A State Regulation Is Not A Statute, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, Sept. 2, 2009, 2009
- discussing discovery ruling, Jan. 25, 2012, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, Author, Defendants get 'fair opportunity to investigate', 2012
- Author, Ask And Ye Shall Receive: A Party's Obligation To Disclose Impeachment Material In Federal Civil Cases, Aviation Litigation Quarterly, Spring 2008, 2008
Honors/Awards:
- Best Law Firm, U.S. News and World Report, 2022
- Best Lawyer, US News and World Report, 2023
- Best Law Firm, US News and World Report, 2023
- Best Law Firm, U.S. News and World Report, 2021
- Best Lawyer, U.S. News and World Report, 2022
- Best Law Firm, U.S. News and World Report, 2018
- Best Law Firm, U.S. News and World Report, 2019
- Best Lawyers, U.S. News and World Report, 2019
- Best Lawyers, U.S. News and World Report, 2020
- Two-time Recipient of William J. Harte Amicus Volunteer Award from the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, 2010 - 2011
- Best Lawyers, U.S. News and World Report, 2018
- Leading Lawyer, 2013-present
- Super Lawyers Rising Star, 2009 - 2012
- Law Bulletin’s 40 Illinois Attorneys Under Forty To Watch 2010
- Super Lawyer, 2013-present
- National Law Journal’s The Top 100 Verdicts of 2012 (#11)
Verdicts/Settlements (Case Results):
- 19-year-old killed in maritime incident settled for $4.5 million, 2023
- $1.1 million verdict for 82-year-old who suffered a broken ankle in motor vehicle accident, 2023
- 62-year-old grandfather died as a result of medical negligence, settled for $2.7 million, 2023
- 54-year-old woman sustained serious injuries as a result of medical malpractice, which resulted in $3 million settlement, 2023
- Schmidt v. ConAgra, et al. 36-year old worker injured in grain bin explosion ($36,000,000.00 verdict), 2012
- $18.5 million settlement on behalf of two workers who suffered severe burns after an explosion at a train derailment clean-up site in Kentucky, 2017
- Naras v. Flextronics, et al. A husband and father of two was crushed by a punch press at a factory ($6.65 million dollar settlement)
- Ziegler v. Regal Court, et al. Grandfather killed by carbon monoxide poisoning after neighbor left car running in attached garage ($1.125 million settlement)
- Strand v. City of Berwyn et al. Wife and mother of three struck and killed by a locomotive engine in Berwyn ($2.425 million settlement), 2010
- Dorner v. Wilmette Real Estate & Management Co. LLC et al. 21-year old murdered in her apartment by another individual living in the building. ($10,000,000.00 Verdict), 2012
- $22.7 million dollar verdict for the family of a husband and father killed by an intoxicated driver (90th highest verdict by Top Verdicts for 2016), 2017
- Allie v. NBC, et al. Married couple was killed while driving on I-57 after their car was struck by a news van that had blown a tire ($9 million settlement);
- Griffin v. Nisso, et al. Trucking accident where client’s vehicle was struck head-on by truck after driver lost control and crossed the centerline ($1.775 million settlement)
- Beemsterboer v. Jos. A Duffy Construction Co., et al., Husband and father of three was killed in a partial building collapse on the south-side of Chicago ($11 million settlement), 2010
- Ortiz v. CTA, Husband and fatherof three killed by CTA bus ($3 million settlement), 2010
- Jentz v. ConAgra, et al. 38-year old injured in grain bin explosion ($75,000,000.00 verdict), 2012
- Lichaw, et al., v. 69 West Washington, et al. Litigation stemming from the fire at the Cook County Administration Building ($100 million settlement);
- Marzano v. Walsh Construction, et al. Construction accident where worker suffered traumatic brain injury after being struck on head by terra cotta panel that had fallen from ceiling ($4.5 million);
- Waliczek v. Flamm. Woman developed post-traumatic stress disorder after motor vehicle crash ($25,000.00 verdict), 2011
Office location for Colin H. Dunn
22 West Washington
Suite 1500
Chicago, IL 60602
Selections
11 Years Super Lawyers
5 Years Rising Stars
- Super Lawyers: 2014 - 2024
- Rising Stars: 2009 - 2013