Practice Areas: Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice; view more
Licensed in Illinois since: 2004
Education: Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2016 - 2025 
Selected to Rising Stars: 2009 - 2015 Call today:
312-346-3191
Corboy & Demetrio
33 North Dearborn Street21st Floor
Chicago, IL 60602 Visit website
Details
William T. Gibbs is a partner at the Chicago personal injury and medical malpractice law firm of Corboy & Demetrio. He concentrates his practice on cases arising from railroad negligence, automobile collisions, participation in sports, unsafe pharmaceuticals or medical devices, construction negligence, medical negligence, premises liability, product liability and aviation litigation.
In his career at Corboy & Demetrio, Bill has obtained numerous record-setting and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements on behalf of his clients. His list of representative clients demonstrates the diversity of his practice.
Bill, along with Thomas Demetrio, secured a $29.6 million verdict on behalf of a woman who was brain damaged in the derailment of a speeding train in Chicago. The verdict is the largest in Illinois for an individual injured in a mass transit crash. In a Federal District Court case, he obtained a $6.6 million verdict for a family injured in an automobile collision. It was the largest verdict ever in that Court.
In another case, Bill secured a $6.75 million settlement for the family of Justyna Palka, who was a pedestrian killed by a tour bus in Chicago.
In his sports liability practice, Bill, along with Thomas Demetrio, represented Hall-of-Fame White Sox player Frank Thomas in a medical malpractice action and the matter was "resolved amicably."
Bill currently represents numerous retired NFL players and the Estate of former Chicago Bear Dave Duerson against the NFL in litigation stemming from concussions and CTE suffered by Duerson.
Bill was appointed to the Plaintiff's Executive Committee by U.S. District Court Judge Susan Richard Nelson in Minnesota, which is overseeing individual lawsuits against the National Hockey League. In addition to this leadership role in the multi district litigation, Bill represents the Estate of Steve Montador, an NHL player who died at the age of 35 after suffering multiple concussions and the effects of CTE.
Bill has appeared on national and international television networks discussing sports and C.T.E., including CNN, FOX Business News, Al Jazeera and Canadian National TV. He has been quoted numerous times by national and international media, including the New York Times, ESPN and Sports Illustrated.
Bill is a member of the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation Advisory Board.
In 2018, he was appointed to the Advisory Board of The Mike Adamle Project: Rise Above, an initiative created to provide tools, resources and support to patients living with symptoms of CTE.
Bill was formerly a high school teacher and varsity football, basketball, and baseball coach. While at the University of Notre Dame, he was a defensive back on the varsity football team.
Read more about Corboy & Demetrio:
Practice areas
Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff, Personal Injury - Medical Malpractice: PlaintiffFocus areas
Birth Injury, Brain Injury, Construction Accident, Delayed or Incorrect Diagnosis, Informed Consent, Medical Malpractice, Motor Vehicle Accidents, Personal Injury - Plaintiff, Premises Liability - Plaintiff, Slip and Fall, Trucking Accidents, Wrongful Death
- 80% Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff
- 20% Personal Injury - Medical Malpractice: Plaintiff
First Admitted: 2004, Illinois
Professional Webpage: https://www.corboydemetrio.com/attorneys-william-gibbs
Bar/Professional Activity:
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
- Trial Bar for the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Illinois
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit
- U.S. District Court of Nebraska
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
- Illinois
- Notre Dame Law Association
- The Society of Trial Lawyers, 2018-present
- Fenwick Bar Association, Treasurer, 2005-2008
- Chicago Bar Association (CBA), Civil Practice Committee, Tort Litigation Committee
- National Trial Lawyers Association: Brain Injury Trial Lawyers Association 2017, 2018, 2019
- Illinois Trial Lawyers Association (ITLA), Co-Chair of the Product Liability & Insurance Law Committee, 2019; Board of Managers, 2017-2018
- American Association for Justice (AAJ) formerly known as American Trial Lawyers Association (ATLA); Illinois Trial Lawyers Association (ITLA); Chicago Bar Association (CBA), Civil Practice Committee, Tort Litigation Committee; Notre Dame Law Association; Fenwick Bar Association, Treasurer, 2005-2008; Appointed to Plaintiff's Executive Committee in multidistrict litigation against the National Hockey League; National Trial Lawyers' Top 100 Trial Lawyers.
Verdicts/Settlements (Case Results):
- Obtained a Cook County jury verdict of $10.5 million in the death of a 61-year-old Chicago man who was killed as a result of a police chase that took place on April 13, 2018. The crash occurred while three Chicago Police Department officers were chasing a motorist for a traffic violation without contacting their supervisors on the radio. , 2023
- Obtained a settlement of $4.25 million on behalf of a 17 year old when the vehicle he was a passenger in was chased by police at high rates of speed and crashed, leaving him seriously injured., 2022
- Obtained a settlement of $2.9 million on behalf of a 79-year-old Illinois woman who was walking in the crosswalk of intersection in a northern Chicago suburb on June 23, 2017, in broad daylight when she was struck and injured by the driver of a car. The woman suffered an open left distal tibia/fibula fracture requiring external fixation and an eventual below the knee amputation., 2019
- Obtained a $9.6 million settlement in a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the family of an off-duty police officer who was killed by a vehicle that was being chased by suburban police. The case was settled on Oct. 30, 2017., 2017
- Obtained an $8.5 million settlement on behalf of an Illinois woman who was struck by a delivery truck in 2014. The plaintiff was crossing the street within the crosswalk, when the defendant truck took a right-hand turn and struck her. Plaintiff sustained serious orthopedic injuries, including pelvis fractures and a fractured femur., 2014
- Obtained a $6 million dollar settlement for the family of a Chicago dance instructor who was killed at a railroad crossing in University Park, Illinois. The victim, 26, who lived in Chicago and was dancer and dance instructor, was driving home from a dance competition at Governor’s State University on April 16, 2010, when she was hit by a high-speed train after railroad crossing signals failed to warn her of the oncoming train.
- Obtained a $7.4 million settlement for Jennifer Anton, the Gold Coast nanny hailed an “angel” after she pushed a toddler in a stroller out of harm’s way just before she was struck by a Chicago sanitation truck in 2011.
- $4 million for Ryan Williamson, a 33-year-old tree service worker, who suffered a traumatic brain injury after he was struck in the head with a clevis after the tow strap it was attached to suddenly failed as Ryan was attempting to dislodge a tree stump from the ground. , 2011
- Obtained an $11 million settlement for two wrongful death lawsuits arising out of the Metra train crash derailment in Chicago on September 17, 2005 was approved by Cook County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Hogan., 2005
- Bill has secured a number of record-setting and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements on behalf of his clients. He obtained a $29.6 million verdict on behalf of a woman who was seriously injured when a Metra train derailed in Chicago. It is the largest verdict in Illinois for an individual injured in a mass transit crash. In a Federal District Court case, he obtained a $6.6 million verdict for a family injured in an automobile collision. It was the largest verdict ever in that Court. He secured a $1.25 million settlement for the family of a realtor who was killed by a drunk driver and a $1.5 million settlement where a health club member sustained an injury to his wrist when pushed to the ground by another member. Bill also settled a case for over a quarter of a million dollars when a young boy's face was cut while he played at an outdoor twirling tunnel at Chicago's Navy Pier.
- Bill secured a $6.75 million settlement for the family of Justyna Palka, who was a pedestrian killed by a tour bus in Chicago.
- Bill secured a $29.6 million verdict on behalf of a woman who was brain damaged in the derailment of a speeding train in Chicago. The verdict is the largest in Illinois for an individual injured in a mass transit crash.
Videos:
- Your young athlete may be experiencing symptoms of a concussion in the hours after receiving a blow to the head while participating in sports. It's important to listen carefully to the symptoms they describe so that you can get them proper medical help., Parents: How Your Child May Describe their Concussion, 2021
- Bill Spoke at a news conference, along with his client, Tregg Duerson, the son of NFL great Dave Duerson who committed suicide and left a note saying to donate his brain in order to find out whether he suffered from CTE due to repetitive head injuries in football. Tregg and Bill spoke about the lawsuit filed against the NFL. The news conference was held at Corboy & Demetrio., Announcement of NFL Lawsuit filed by the Duerson children in death of Dave Duerson
Pro bono/Community Service:
- Chicago Police Memorial Advisory Board Member, Run to Remember Team Captain, 2022-24, 2024
- Chicago Police Memorial Foundation Advisory Board Member, 2019
- In 2018, Bill was appointed to the Advisory Board of The Mike Adamle Project: Rise Above, a new initiative created to provide tools, resources and support to patients living with symptoms of CTE., 2019
- Oz Park Baseball Association Board Member
- Ronald McDonald House
- Bill is co-chair of "St. Clement Dads," a group that volunteers throughout the community and provides activities for parents and their children. Through the St. Clement Legal Aid Clinic, Our Lady of Mercy Legal Clinic and Mercy Home for Boys he provides pro bono legal assistance to individuals who are unable to afford private counsel.
Honors/Awards:
- Bill was selected as "Lawyer of the Year" in the practice area of Mass Torts and Class Actions by Best Lawyers., "Lawyer of the Year", The Best Lawyers in America, 2024
- Bill was selected to the inaugural Lawdragon Global Plaintiffs Lawyers in 2024., Lawdragon Global Plaintiffs Lawyers, Lawdragon, 2024
- Bill was named to the 2023 edition of The Best Lawyers in America in the area of Personal Injury - Plaintiffs., The Best Lawyers in America, U.S. News, 2023
- Bill was named to Illinois Super Lawyers for 2023 in the area of Personal Injury - Plaintiffs by Thomson Reuters., IL Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters, 2023
- Bill Gibbs was named to the 2022 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America in two areas: Mass Tort/Class Action – Plaintiffs and Personal Injury – Plaintiffs., The Best Lawyers in America, U.S. News - Best Lawyers, 2022
- Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers, 2023
- Illinois Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers, 2022
- Bill Gibbs was selected for the 2021 Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers., Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers, Lawdragon, 2021
- Illinois Super Lawyer, 2015-Present; Illinois Super Lawyer-Rising Star, 2009-2014, Illinois Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers, 2021
- Illinois Leading Lawyers, 2014-Present, Illinois Leading Lawyers, Leading Lawyers Network, 2021
- Irish Legal 100, 2018-Present
- Trial Excellence Award from the Law Bulletin Publishing’s Jury Verdict Reporter for having the Highest Reported Verdict or Settlement in Jackson County, 2017
- The National Trial Lawyers: Brain Injury Trial Lawyers Association Top 25, 2017-present
- CALI, Excellence for the Future Award, Philosophy, 2004; CALI, Excellence for the Future Award, Legal Writing, 2002
- 40 Illinois Attorneys Under Forty to Watch, Law Bulletin Publishing Company, 2009
- Top 40 Under 40, National Trial Lawyers, 2013
- Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers, 2014-Present
Educational Background:
- IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law, Chicago, Illinois, J.D., 2004, 2004
- University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, B.A, 1997, 1997
- University of Portland, Portland, Oregon, M.A, 1999, 1999
Scholarly Lectures/Writings:
- Two weeks ago, Tua Tagovailoa, the accurate, athletic and accomplished quarterback from Alabama, seemed destined to be one of the top picks in the 2020 NFL draft. His career earning capacity was projected in the nine figures. Then, during the second quarter of Alabama’s game against Mississippi State, with the Crimson Tide up 35- 7 on a third-and-4 play, Tagovailoa was rushed and taken down by Mississippi State defenders. Trainers rushed onto the field with 3:01 left in the half to help the quarterback, who was “screaming in pain.”, Author, Move to protect student-athletes, such as Tagovailoa, better for all, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2020
- Sports Torts, Author, Khalil Mack’s Contract Success Turns NFL Labor Pact Inside Out, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2019
- Sports Torts, Author, Move to Protect Student-Athletes, such as Tagovailoa, Better for All, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2019
- Sports Torts, Author, Warriors in Line to be Two-Time Losers if Durant Pursues Lawsuit, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2019
- Sports Torts, Author, Exploding Basketball Shoe Enough to Make Risk-Adverse Crowd Cringe, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2019
- Sports Torts, Author, Referee Immunity to Blown Calls Remains Unsettled Area, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2019
- Sports Concussions and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, Speaker, The Society of Trial Lawyers, 2018
- Sports Torts, Author, 2018 Filled with Sports Legal Bouts; Just the Start?, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2018
- Sports Torts, Author, As Time Goes on, Shady Dealings with NCAA Basketball Schools Grow, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2018
- Sports Torts, Author, Coaching More Than X’s, O’s in #MeToo Times, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2018
- Sports Torts, Author, Liability and Golf Generally Strangers in Court, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2018
- Sports Torts, Author, Civil Action Against Lecherous Physician Still a Possibility, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2018
- Sports Torts, Author, Say it Ain’t So, Joe: Gambling 100 Years After Black Sox, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2018
- Sports Torts, Author, After Super Bowl Hoopla, CTE Clock Starts for Players, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2017
- Sports Torts, Author, Gym Class Liability Case Clarifies Immunity Claims, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2017
- Sports Torts, Author, While O.J. Goes Free, the Story is Far from Over, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2017
- Sports Torts, Author, While Cool and Refreshing, Water Sports Pose a Danger, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2017
- Sports Torts, Author, In Flag Fracas, Hernandez Falls Out of Focus, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2017
- Sports Torts, Author, Lowly Gym Shoe May be Undoing of College Hoops, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2017
- Municipal & Law Committee Meeting, Speaker, NHL Litigation and Settled NFL Litigation, Chicago Bar Association, 2017
- Education Fund Damages Seminar, Speaker, Non-Economic Damages, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, 2017
- 2016 Annual Educational Conference, Speaker, The Law of Sports Brian Injuries, The Brain Injury Association of Illinois, 2016
- Update & Review Seminar, Speaker, Litigating Brain Injury Cases, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, 2016
- Education Fund, Nuts, and Bolts of a Case Seminar, Speaker, Discovery Tailored to the Case – Taxi cab, Uber, trucking, boating, CTA, Metra, etc…, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, 2016
- Sports Torts, Author, NFL Concussion Deal Offers Hope to Affected Ex-Players, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2016
- Sporting Judgment, Author, Brain concussions, CTE link becomes clearer every day, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2016
- Sports Torts, Author, While Edison Couldn’t Dunk, Today’s Athletes Owe Him, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2016
- Sports Torts, Author, Willful and wanton conduct with kids gets clearer reading, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2016
- Sports Torts, Author, Curse of the Athlete: Painkillers Help but also Hurt, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2016
- Sports Torts, Author, Gyms Don’t Get Free Ride with Liability Injuries, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2016
- Sports Torts, Author, Gary Bettman Appears to be in Denial on NHL, CTE, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2016
- National Football League and National Hockey League Players’ Concussion Injury Litigation, Guest Lecturer, University of Notre Dame Law School, 2015
- Settlements, Liens and Technology Seminar, Speaker, Use of Video for Settlement, Arbitration and Trial, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, 2014
- Jury Selection: Learn How to Improve Your Jury Selection Skills Seminar, Speaker, Finding out About Jurors: Voir dire and background checks, Pincus Professional Education, 2014
- NFL Brain Damage Epidemic Continues, Author, https://www.corboydemetrio.com/media/publication/64_16074%20Law%20Day%202014%20reprint%20Corboy.pdf, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2014
- Trial Techniques for Every Stage of a Case, Speaker, Chicago Bar Association, 2014
- Sports and Entertainment Law Society, Guest Lecturer, University of Chicago School of Law, 2014
- Guest Lecturer, Chicago-Kent College of Law, 2013.
- Torts I, Guest Lecturer, University of Notre Dame Law School, 2013
- Topics on Litigation, Speaker, The Anatomy of a Civil Case, Chicago-Kent College of Law, 2012
- Annual Educational Conference, Speaker, Legal Issues after Brain Injury, The Brain Injury Association of Illinois, 2012
- Sports Concussion Seminar, Speaker, Chicago Bar Association, 2012
- Nuts & Bolts Seminar, Speaker, The Trial of a Negligence Case, Minimum Continuing Legal Education, 2011
- Practice Development Conference, Speaker, How Attorneys Find Experts, Forensic Witness Association, 2011
- Elder Law, Guest Lecturer, John Marshall Law School, 2011
- Law Seminar, Speaker, Confidentiality for Special Medical Records and Electronic Medical Records, Lorman Medical Records, 2011
- Law Seminar, Speaker, Confidentiality for Special Medical Records and Electronic Medical Records, Lorman Medical Records, 2010
- Illinois Bar Journal, Author, A Quick Guide to the Illinois Dead Man's Act, Illinois State Bar Association, 2008
Other Outstanding Achievements:
- Bill was profiled in Lawdragon magazine in "Lawyer Limelight: William T. Gibbs," which was published on May 22, 2023., 2023
- Appeared in New York Times story about death of Corboy & Demetrio client, former Blackhawk Steve Montador, and NHL litigation; Interviewed by numerous members of the Canadian press about plans to file lawsuit on behalf of the Estate of Steve Montador; Interviewed by numerous national and international publications about litigation involving the Estate of Derek Boogaard against the NHL; Apppeared in Chicago Tribune story and in numerous other media outlets about the filing of a lawsuit on behalf of former Chicago Blackhawk Steve Ludzik alleging head injuries caused his Parkinson's Disease.
- Columnist, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, Sports Torts, 2019
Office location for William T. Gibbs
33 North Dearborn Street
21st Floor
Chicago, IL 60602
Phone: 312-346-3191
Selections
10 Years Super Lawyers
7 Years Rising Stars
- Super Lawyers: 2016 - 2025
- Rising Stars: 2009 - 2015
