Achievements & Awards

Throughout his career, Don has won numerous awards for his success in and out of the courtroom.

  • Don has been awarded the Everett Hullverson Award for great proficiency in trial practice.
  • Don has secured significant verdicts and settlements locally, regionally, and nationally, including a record settlement for a neurologically damaged infant in a very conservative southern locale.

BIO

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 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.

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Fun Facts

  • Don is also very active in giving back to the community, having served on various boards on behalf of all military services; boards dedicated to preventing child abuse; and faith-based organizations dedicated to providing legal services for indigent individuals and families.
  • Don has been a lifetime sports enthusiast and athlete, including playing rugby for twelve (12) years. One of his greatest highlights in the rugby arena was the opportunity to play rugby with US Navy Seals stationed at the Navy Amphib Base in Little Creek, VA.

Favorite Quotes

EDUCATION

St. Louis University School of Law
Juris Doctor (J.D.), LAW

Activities and societies: RECIPIENT – EVERETT HULLVERSON AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN TRIAL PRACTICE

 

Spring Hill College
Bachelor’s Degree, Communication Arts

Activities and societies: Captain – Rugby Team