Tara R. Devine
Top rated Personal Injury attorney in Waukegan, Illinois
Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard, PC
Practice areas: Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice, Elder Law
Licensed in Illinois since: 2003
Education: Marquette University Law School
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2022 - 2026 
Free Consultation Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard, PC
218 N Martin Luther King Jr. AveWaukegan, IL 60085 Phone: 312-372-1227 Email: Tara R. Devine Visit website
Details 
Tara R. Devine joined Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. in 2004 and became the firm’s first female partner in 2011. In 2018, Ms. Devine was promoted to Managing Partner of the firm’s Lake County office. She concentrates her practice in the areas of personal injury, nursing home negligence, wrongful death, medical malpractice and product liability cases.
Ms. Devine has recovered over $325 million on behalf of her clients since starting at the firm and is licensed and practices in Illinois and Wisconsin.
The success record that Ms. Devine has achieved on behalf of her clients is remarkable. She has helped obtain numerous multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements in personal injury, medical malpractice and wrongful death suits.
In 2017, she was part of the trial team that obtained a record-setting $148 million jury verdict on behalf of a dancer paralyzed by a collapsed pedestrian shelter at O’Hare International Airport. The verdict is the highest compensatory verdict awarded to an individual plaintiff in Illinois history.
Community engagement is extremely important to Ms. Devine. She is a Board Member of the Lake County Bar Association and served as President of the organization from 2022 – 2023. In 2023, she was appointed to the Illinois Supreme Court Committee on Jury Instructions in Civil Cases. Additional credentials and distinctions include: serving as a member of the Chicago Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association, and the Wisconsin State Bar Association. Ms. Devine is also involved with the American Association for Justice and the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, where she serves on the Board of Managers and has been a guest speaker at the association’s legal seminars.
Ms. Devine received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Illinois and her law degree from Marquette University. Currently, Ms. Devine is an active Marquette alumni member and has previously served as a Committee member for the Annual Chicago Marquette Lawyer Reception.
In her spare time, Ms. Devine enjoys hot yoga classes, going on family vacations, and taking her dog to different dog parks and forest preserves.
First Admitted: 2003, Illinois
Professional Webpage: https://www.salvilaw.com/attorneys/tara-devine/
Bar / Professional Activity
- Lake County Bar Association
- Illinois Supreme Court Committee on Jury Instructions in Civil Cases, 2026
- Illinois Supreme Court Committee on Jury Instructions in Civil Cases, 2025
- Illinois Supreme Court Committee on Jury Instructions in Civil Cases, 2024
- Illinois Supreme Court Committee on Jury Instructions in Civil Cases., 2023
- President- Lake County Bar Association, 2022
- Lake County Bar Association - Secretary , 2019
- Wisconsin State Bar Association
- Illinois Trial Lawyers Association : Board of Advocates
- Illinois State Bar Association
- American Association for Justice
- Chicago Bar Association
- American Bar Association
Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)
- UNDISCLOSED, et al., Plaintiffs v. UNDISCLOSED, Defendant. (Per Confidentiality Agreement) SETTLEMENT: $60,000,000 Case Type: Wrongful Death Venue: Cook County, IL Date: October 8, 2025 , 2025
- UNDISCLOSED, Plaintiff v. UNDISCLOSED, Defendant. (Per Confidentiality Agreement) SETTLEMENT: $5,050,000 Case Type: Personal Injury Venue: Cook County, IL Date: July 10, 2025, 2025
- UNDISCLOSED, Plaintiff v. UNDISCLOSED, Defendants. (Per Confidentiality Agreement) SETTLEMENT: $5,000,000 Case Type: Medical Malpractice / Wrongful Death Venue: Cook County, IL Date: May 20, 2025, 2025
- UNDISCLOSED, Plaintiff v. UNDISCLOSED, Defendant. (Per Confidentiality Agreement) SETTLEMENT: $2,500,000 Case Type: Wrongful Death Venue: Lake County, IL Date: July 17, 2025, 2025
- UNDISCLOSED, Plaintiff v. UNDISCLOSED, Defendant. (Per Confidentiality Agreement) SETTLEMENT: $27,000,000 Case No.: Confidential Case Type: Wrongful Death / Auto Accident Venue: Cook County, IL Date: March 18, 2026, 2026
- UNDISCLOSED, Plaintiff v. UNDISCLOSED, Defendants. (Per Confidentiality Agreement) SETTLEMENT: $2,500,000 Case No.: CONFIDENTIAL Case Type: Medical Negligence / Wrongful Death Venue: Cook County, IL Date: March 17, 2025, 2025
- UNDISCLOSED, Plaintiffs v. UNDISCLOSED, Defendants. (Per Confidentiality Agreement) SETTLEMENT: $7,000,000 Case No.: CONFIDENTIAL Case Type: Medical Malpractice Venue: Cook County, IL Date: February 27, 2025, 2025
- UNDISCLOSED, et al., Plaintiffs v. UNDISCLOSED, et al., Defendants. (Per Confidentiality Agreement) SETTLEMENT: $2,250,000 Case No.: CONFIDENTIAL Case Type: Wrongful Birth Venue: Cook County, IL Date: May 22, 2024, 2024
- UNDISCLOSED, Plaintiffs v. UNDISCLOSED, Defendants. (Per Confidentiality Agreement) SETTLEMENT: $7,650,000 Case No.: CONFIDENTIAL Case Type: Medical Malpractice Venue: Cook County, IL Date: October 25, 2024, 2024
- MICHAEL D. KILCRAN II, Plaintiff, v. GREG NERROTH, Individually and a/b/a NERROTH DREDGING & EXCAVATING, Inc. et al., Defendant SETTLEMENT: $1,250,000 Case No.: 21 L 737 Case Type: Personal Injury Venue: Lake County, IL Case Disposition: 10-17-2022, 2022
- LEANORD CASSARO, et al., Plaintiff, v. MC NELLY SERVICES, INC. et al., Defendant SETTLEMENT: $1,250,000 Case No.: 2021 L 0103 18 Case Type: Auto Accident / Personal Injury Venue: Cook County, IL Case Disposition: 02-28-2024, 2024
- UNDISCLOSED, Plaintiff v. UNDISCLOSED, et al., Defendant (Per Confidentiality Agreement) SETTLEMENT: $1,625,000 Case No.: CONFIDENTIAL Case Type: Premises Liability Venue: Lake County, IL Case Disposition: 07-24-2023, 2023
- UNDISCLOSED, Plaintiff v. UNDISCLOSED, Defendant (Per Confidentiality Agreement) SETTLEMENT: $3,100,000 Case No.: CONFIDENTIAL Case Type: Auto Accident / Personal Injury Venue: Knox County, IL Case Disposition: 08-09-2023, 2023
- UNDISCLOSED, et al., Plaintiff v. UNDISCLOSED, et al., Defendant (Per Confidentiality Agreement) SETTLEMENT: $4,500,000 Case No.: CONFIDENTIAL Case Type: Medical Negligence Venue: Cook County, IL Case Disposition: 09-12-2023, 2023
- JENNIFER ELLIS, et al., Plaintiff v. COMPLETE CONVEYING SERVICES, LLC, et al., Defendant SETTLEMENT: $4,500,000 Case No.: 2020 CV 0000447 Case Type: Auto Accident / Personal Injury Venue: Rock County, WI Case Disposition: 08-29-2023, 2023
- UNDISCLOSED, et al., Plaintiff v. UNDISCLOSED, et al., Defendant (Per Confidentiality Agreement) SETTLEMENT: $1,000,000 Case No.: CONFIDENTIAL Case Type: Medical Malpractice / Wrongful Death Venue: Cook County, IL Case Disposition: 04-20-2022, 2022
- KARLA GRESS, Plaintiff v. LAKHANI HOSPITALITY, et al., Defendants JURY VERDICT: $1,800,000 Case No.: 18L7330 Case Type: Premises Liability Venue: Cook County, IL Case Disposition: 02-24-2022, 2022
- UNDISCLOSED, Plaintiff v. UNDISCLOSED, Defendant (Per Confidentiality Agreement) SETTLEMENT: 2,000,000 Case No: CONFIDENTIAL Case Type: Wrongful Death Venue: Cook County, IL Case Disposition: 10-04-2022, 2022
- UNDISCLOSED, Plaintiff v. UNDISCLOSED, et al, Defendant (Per Confidentiality Agreement) SETTLEMENT: $4,000,000 Case No.: CONFIDENTIAL Case Type: Medical Negligence Venue: Cook County, IL Case Disposition: 07-28-2022, 2022
- UNDISCLOSED, et al., Plaintiff v. UNDISCLOSED, et al., Defendant (Per Confidentiality Agreement) SETTLEMENT: $1,000,000 Case No.: CONFIDENTIAL Case Type: Medical Malpractice Venue: Lake County, IL Case Disposition: 11-01-2021, 2021
- WILLIAM LENNETT and DEVORIE LENNETT, et al., Plaintiffs v. DAVID COLLINS, et al., Defendant SETTLEMENT: $11,050,000 Case No.: 20 L 010802 Case Type: Personal Injury/Motorcycle Vehicle Accident Venue: Cook County, IL Case Disposition: 10-14-2021, 2021
- UNDISCLOSED, Plaintiff v. UNDISCLOSED, Defendant (Per Confidentiality Agreement) SETTLEMENT: $2,500,000 Case No.: CONFIDENTIAL Case Type: Medical Malpractice/ Wrongful Death Venue: McHenry County, IL Case Disposition: 10-20-2021, 2021
- SERGEY MIKHANOVSKY AND LANA LESKOVA AKA SVETLANA R. LESKOVA, et al., Plaintiffs v. FUTURE DIAGNOSTICS, LTD., et al., Defendants SETTLEMENT: $1,000,000 Case No.: 16 L 010418 Case Type: Medical Malpractice Venue: Cook County, IL Case Disposition: 01-29-2020, 2019
- BALL, et al., Plaintiff v. DOUSMAN TRANSPORT, et al., DefendantsSETTLEMENT: $4,500,000Case No.: 17 CV 0000738Case Type: Traumatic Brain InjuryVenue: Walworth County, WI , 2021
- JASON DERBORT, as Independent Administrator of the Estate of Kacey Derbort, deceased v. DECATUR MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, Linda Monney R.N., and Pamela Stollard, R.N. JURY VERDICT: $3,000,000 Case No.: 11 L 44 Case Type: Wrongful death Venue: Cook County, IL Case Disposition: 07-27-2018, 2018
- UNDISCLOSED, Plaintiff v. UNDISCLOSED, Defendant (Per Confidentiality Agreement) SETTLEMENT: $3,000,000 Case No.: CONFIDENTIAL Case Type: Medical Malpractice Venue: Lake County, IL Case Disposition: 03-20-2019, 2019
- CONFIDENTIAL - $980,000.00 Nursing Home Negligence Settlement, 2019
- CONFIDENTIAL - $3,000,000 Medical Malpractice/Wrongful Death Settlement, 2019
- SAMUEL J. CASTILLO, as Independent Administrator of the Estate of CAROL CASTILLO, deceased; Plaintiff, vs. ZION-BARTON, LLC, an Illinois Corporation d/b/a BARTON SENIOR RESIDENCES Personal Injury/Wrongful Death Date: April 15, 2016 Settlement: $375,000.00
- SYLVIA C. HURTADO, as Guardian of the Person of CESAR A. HURTADO, a disabled adult, Plaintiff, v. DONALD A. WOOD, Individually, and DON’S AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR, Defendants. Personal Injury Date: June 13, 2016 VERDICT: $6,651,121.05, 2016
- Ethel Aspinall v. Richard C. Anderson and Auto-Owners Insurance Company Personal Injury Date: June 10, 2014 Settlement: $300,000, 2014
- BRENDA SCHMID, Plaintiff v. DAVID CAPLAN, et al., Defendants Practice Area: Personal Injury/Boating Accident Outcome- Settlement: $1,000,000, 2012
- SUSAN BOUHOUTSOS, as Independent Administrator of the Estate of JUNE SWANSON, deceased, Plaintiff, vs. ADVOCATE HEALTH AND HOSPITALS CORPORATION, an Illinois Corporation doing business as ADVOCATE CHRIST HOSPITAL AND MEDICAL CENTER; MANORCARE HEALTH SERVICES, INC., an Illinois Corporation doing business as MANORCARE AT OAK LAWN/KOSTNER, Defendants. Date: June 14, 2013 Settlement: $287,500.00
- JAMIE FUSELLO, et al., Plaintiff v. ATTITUDE PERFORMANCE, INC, DefendantPractice Area: Personal Injury Outcome- Settlement: $2,823,000, 2011
- Jason Derbort v. Decatur Memorial Hospital, et al.$3,000,000.00 Wrongful Death Jury VerdictMacon County, IL, 2018
- MARGARET LOBELLO, deceased, Plaintiff v. SEGUIN SERVICES, et al., DefendantsPractice Area: Personal Injury Outcome- Settlement: $1,520,000, 2004
- GINA ROMITO THIEDE, Independent Administrator of the Estate of LINDA BEAUCHAMP, deceased, Plaintiff, vs. ALEXIAN BROTHERS MEDICAL CENTER, a Not-for-Profit Texas Corporation, PHILLIP L. CACIOPPO, M.D., Individually, and PHILLIP L.CACIOPPO, M.D., S.C, an Illinois Corporation, Defendants. Medical Malpractice/Wrongful Death Date:May 27, 2016 Settlement: $725,000.00 , 2016
- REBECCA RUIZ, as Independent Administrator of The Estate of IVETTE RUIZ, deceased v. PHOENIX CARE SYSTEMS, INC., a foreign corporation, WILLOWGLEN ACADEMY - ILLINOIS, INC., an Illinois Corporation; STEPHEN AHO, R.N., Individually; DAVID HELLER, R.N., Individually; SARAH MARTIN, DSP, Individually; and CHARLES TARPENING, DSP, Individually, Defendants. Wrongful Death Date: March 17, 2016 Verdit: $1,600,000 , 2016
- SRICHAND PANJWANI, Independently, and as Independent Administrator of the Estate of BHARATI PANJWANI, Plaintiffs, vs. VERNON HILLS PARK DISTRICT, and FAJARDO’S CARPET, INC., an Illinois Corporation, and THE FLOORING GALLERY OF ADDISON, INC., an Illinois Corporation, doing business as LUNA FLOORING GALLERY, and doing business as THE FLOORING GALLERY, Defendants. Personal Injury /Slip and Fall Date: December 15, 2016 Settlement: $304,000.00
- KAREN LOEFFEL, as Independent Administrator of the Estate of HAZEL STOHLQUIST, deceased, Plaintiff, vs. THE WILLOW OF MARENGO, INC, an Illinois Corporation doing business as FLORENCE NURSING HOME, Defendant. Nursing Home Negligence/ Wrongful Death Date: July, 23, 2009 Settlement: $400,000.00
- STADLER, et al., Plaintiffs v. St. Elizabeth Hospital, et al., DefendantsPractice Area: Medical Malpractice Outcome- Settlement: $450,000, 2012
- CLEMMIE EAGINS vs. GERALDINE EAGINS, and STATE FARM INSURANCE COMPANY Dog Bite Date: March 19, 2013 Settlement: $290,000.00 , 2013
- MARY JEANNE CLARK, et al., Plaintiffs v. STANELY STEEMER INTERNATIONAL, INC., DefendantPractice Area: Wrongful Death Outcome- Settlement: $4,000,000, 2007
- Tierney Darden, Individually; Plaintiff, vs. City of Chicago, a Municipal Corporation; DefendantPersonal Injury Date: August 23, 2017Jury verdict: $148 million, 2017
- PAOLA GUEVARA, a minor, by her parents and next friends, MARIA GUADALUPE SALDANA, and VALENTIN GUEVARA, MARIA GUADALUPE SALDANA, Individually, and VALENTIN GUEVARA, Individually, Plaintiffs v. United States of America, et al Medical Malpractice/Birth Injury/Failure Date: December 15, 2016 Settlement: $18,500,000.00, 2016
- GINA ROMITO THIEDE, Independent Administrator of the Estate of LINDA BEAUCHAMP, deceased, Plaintiff, vs. ALEXIAN BROTHERS MEDICAL CENTER, a Not-for-Profit Texas Corporation, PHILLIP L. CACIOPPO, M.D., Individually, and PHILLIP L.CACIOPPO, M.D., S.C, an Illinois Corporation, Defendants. Medical Malpractice/Wrongful Death Date: May 27, 2016 Settlement: $725,000.00 , 2016
- DENA RENZULLI and BRUNO F. RENZULLI, Plaintiffs, vs. BRIAN D. YOST, MEGAN MURPHY, and ALA CARTE ENTERTAINMENT, INC., an Illinois Corporation, d/b/a Famous Freddie’s Roadhouse, Defendants. Personal Injury Date: February 20, 2014 Settlement: $410,000
- ESTATE OF DOROTHY JONES, deceased, Plaintiff v. Pinnacle, et al., Defendants Practice Area: Nursing Home Negligence Outcome - Settlement: $500,000 , 2012
- ROBERT WILHELM and JUDY WILHELM Plaintiffs, vs. SEARS, ROEBUCK AND CO., a Foreign Corporation, and PETE’S PERFECTION PLUS INC., an Illinois Corporation, Defendants Slip and Fall Date: September 18, 2013 Settlement: $565,000.00 , 2013
- ALBERT Z. SHLIMON, et al., Deceased, Plaintiffs v. RONALD A. SCHNEIDER, et al., DefendantPractice Area: Wrongful Death Outcome- Verdict: $3,750,000 , 2007
- Estate of Robert F. Fountain, et al., Plaintiffs v. Advocate Health and Hospitals et al., DefendantsPractice Area: Personal Injury Outcome- Settlement: $300,000 , 2012
Videos
- What are the typical stages of a trial?, 2025
- LCBA President: Tara Devine, 2022
- What steps should I take if I'm involved in a car accident?, 2025
- What is the purpose of discovery, 2025
- What Happens at Trial, 2025
- What You Should Know About Lawyers, 2025
- What Steps Should I Take After a Car Accident, 2025
- A Day in the Life of Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard Attorneys, 2025
- What to do after a car accident, 2022
- Boating Crash FAQs, 2022
- Mother Pleads For Help In Solving Mystery Of Son’s Hit-And-Run Death, CBS 2 Chicago, 2014
- A family is suing a North Shore nursing home alleging a nurse at the home is to blame for the death of a loved one., Mother dies in nursing home after nurse reads chart wrong, family alleges, WGN News, 2017
- Meet Tara Devine, 2014
- Local family warns of the dangers of mislabeled food for those suffering from food allergies, WGN News, 2014
- A lawsuit filed Tuesday against a suburban nursing home claims one of the home's residents died after a nursing assistant misread her chart and failed to resuscitate her., Lawsuit Claims Nursing Assistant Misread Patient's Chart, Failed to Resuscitate, NBC Chicago, 2017
- Boating safety concerns prompt lawmakers to take action, WGN News, 2014
- Daughter Of Woman Allegedly Injured In Nursing Home Pushes For Patient Monitoring, CBS 2 Chicago, 2014
- Meet Tara R. Devine, 2017
Special Licenses / Certifications
- Illinois Bar, 2003
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin, 2003
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois, 2003
- Wisconsin Bar, 2003
Pro bono / Community Service
- Speaker - Vernon Hills High School Career Day, 2026
- Chicago Marquette Lawyer Reception - Volunteer
- Speaker - Vernon Hills High School Career Day, 2025
Educational Background
- B.A., Univerisity of Illinois, 2000
- University of Illinois, B.A. , 2000
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- Objections at Trial - An Essential Skill, Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, 2013
- Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard’s Lake County Managing Partner Tara R. Devine spoke at the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association’s Ethics and Professionalism webinar. Tara’s speech focused on the importance of having and elevating the voices of women and minorities within law firms. The presentation included a discussion on the importance of engaging those members of your team to better understand client issues or juror demographics, and how firms can take a proactive measures to develop a culture that recognizes what is lacking in those areas and the appropriate steps to manage them., Speaker, Elevating the voices of women and minorities, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association - Ethics and Professionalism webinar, Legal, 2020
- On Tuesday, December 1, 2020, Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard attorney Tara R. Devine will deliver a speech on "COVID and Causation" during the ITLA Medical Malpractice Webinar. , Speaker, COVID and Causation", ITLA Med Mal Seminar, 2020
- New Law will Allow Cameras in Illinois Nursing Homes, The Docket - A Publication of the Lake County Bar Association, 2016
- Guest Lecturer, Pleadings, Discovery and Who to Depose, University of Notre Dame Law School, 2014
- Lecturer, Non-Economic Damages, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association Damages Seminar, 2013
- Judge, National Collegiate Mock Trial National Tournament, American Mock Trial Association, 2013
- Preserving the Record: Objections, Offers of Proof, Setting Up Faith Claims, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association Nuts & Bolts Seminar, 2011
Honors
- Best Lawyers - Medical Malpractice Law, Plaintiffs, Best Lawyers, 2026
- Best Lawyers - Medical Malpractice Law, Plaintiffs, Best Lawyers, 2025
- Best Lawyers - Medical Malpractice Law, Plaintiffs, Best Lawyers, 2024
- Best Lawyers - Personal Injury Law, Plaintiffs, Best Lawyers, 2026
- Best Lawyers - Personal Injury Law, Plaintiffs, Best Lawyers, 2025
- Best Lawyers, U.S. News - Best Lawyers, 2022
- Best Lawyers - Personal Injury Law, Plaintiffs, Best Lawyers, 2024
- “Lawyer of the Year” for Product Liability Litigation, Best Lawyers, 2024
- Leading Lawyers, Law Bulletin Media, 2022
- Best Lawyers, U.S. News - Best Lawyers, 2023
- 2019 Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers , Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff's Lawyers in America, Lawdragon.com, 2019
- Best Lawyers, Best Lawyers - US News and World Report, 2021
- Women in Law, Law Bulletin Media, 2020
- 2020 Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers , 2020 Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers, Lawdragon.com, 2020
- Each year, the Chicago Business Journal recognizes women in the area who have made an impact both professionally and in their communities., Woman of Influence, Chicago Business Journal, 2017
- Ms. Devine was named to Crain’s Custom Media’s 2019 Gen X Leaders in Law list. , Gen X Leaders in Law, Crain's Chicago Business, 2019
- 40 Illinois Attorneys to Watch Under Forty, Law Bulletin Publishing Company, 2014
- Emerging Lawyers, Law Bulletin Publishing Company, 2015
- Notable Women Lawyers in Chicago, Crain’s Custom Media, 2018
- Women of Distinction, Lake County Journal, 2015
- Trial Lawyer Excellence Award, Law Bulletin Publishing Company, 2018
Office location for Tara R. Devine
218 N Martin Luther King Jr. Ave
Waukegan, IL 60085
Selections
5 Years Super Lawyers
- Super Lawyers: 2022 - 2026