Don is an elite lead trial counsel with 35+ years of experience across 38 states, focused on complex civil litigation, catastrophic claims, and more.
Throughout his career, Don has won numerous awards for his success in and out of the courtroom.
Don McGarrah joined the firm as a partner, further strengthening its trial bench in catastrophic personal injury and complex commercial litigation.
McGarrah has practiced for more than 35 years, serving as lead trial counsel in state and federal courts in 38 states on a broad range of complex civil matters.
Don has served as Lead Trial Counsel in complex civil litigation matters throughout the United States, including cases involving neurologically damaged infants diagnosed with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy; cases involving neurologically damaged infants diagnosed with other, permanent neurological conditions and sequelae; catastrophic product liability matters; catastrophic property subrogation matters; catastrophic trucking matters; catastrophic construction matters; complex commercial litigation; and significant involvement in risk prevention, risk mitigation, and risk management assessments and counseling.
McGarrah is admitted to practice in Illinois and has secured pro hac vice admission in courts across 38 states, giving him the rare ability to lead complex litigation nationwide while anchoring his practice in the Midwest. His trial-focused approach, built on decades of securing multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements, positions him to take on the most challenging personal injury cases that demand hands-on, complex trial experience.
Don has handled catastrophic matters on behalf of both Plaintiffs and Defendants, providing a very broad and extensive perspective and experience on how highly experienced and talented trial lawyers prepare complex and catastrophic cases for both Plaintiffs and Defendants.
Don earned his B.A. in Communication Arts from Spring Hill College in 1975 and his J.D. from St. Louis University School of Law in 1978.
Don is married to one of the top defense attorneys in Chicago. He and Mary have three very accomplished daughters, all of whom are very successful in their own right and are actively involved in giving back to their respective communities.
Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.
- Winston Churchill
