MATUSHEK, NILLES & SINARS, L.L.C.
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Douglas M.
Sinars Douglas M. Sinars is a partner with Matushek, Nilles & Sinars, L.L.C. and has achieved the highest rating "AV" from his peers, as published by the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory. He has more than 14 years experience in civil litigation and appeals. Legal Experience: Mr. Sinars has successfully defended numerous product liability and asbestos personal injury cases throughout the State of Illinois. He has obtained several benchmark rulings which have shaped the course of asbestos litigation in Cook County, including imposing strict disclosure requirements on plaintiffs' evidence. His efforts now result in efficient dismissals of questionable claims. Recently, in an issue of first impression, he was successful in obtaining summary judgment on behalf of his client in a household exposure case, convincing the court that no legal duty was owed under Illinois law to a third party who was not present on the premises where his client's product was used. He was the co-chair of the committee responsible for amending all consolidated discovery in Cook County asbestos litigation, and has tried asbestos cases to jury verdict in both Cook County and Madison County, Illinois. Mr. Sinars was the first attorney in the state to convince a judge to dismiss a wrongful death claim under the amended Product Liability Statute of Repose which was enacted as part of Illinois' tort reform legislation in 1995.
Doug Sinars also has defended medical malpractice, construction defect, automobile, fire and other general negligence and casualty claims. He first-chaired a business litigation trial, obtaining a verdict in favor of his client. He also has experience in employment law, including age discrimination claims, and has prosecuted property damage subrogation claims, including a claim that resulted in the largest settlement in the history of Livingston County, Illinois.
Mr. Sinars has significant appellate experience. He was successful in upholding a judgment on behalf of his client in Costa v. Dresser Industries, Inc., 268 Ill.App.3d 1 (3rd Dist.1994). He won a rare appellate victory for an indigent criminal defendant on a pro bono appointment by the Illinois Appellate Court. He persuaded the Fifth District Appellate Court to transfer a case from Madison County on forum non conveniens grounds, Burns v. A.P. Green Industries, Inc., 761 N.E.2d 380 (Ill. App. 2001), the first successful appeal there on that issue in several years. Professional Memberships: Mr. Sinars is a member of the Chicago Bar Association, the Illinois State Bar Association, the Defense Research Institute and the Illinois Association of Trial Defense Counsel. Publications: Doug Sinars is a co-author of the article "No Vested Right to Nursing Home Treble Damages," published in the Illinois Defense Counsel Quarterly, Vol. 9, 1999. He also authored "Boot Camp Basics," used by Federal Defender Program Offices throughout the nation. Education: Mr. Sinars received his Juris Doctor in 1993 from DePaul University College of Law. During law school, he received the Federal Defender Program Outstanding Intern Award. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Notre Dame. Admitted to Practice: Mr. Sinars is admitted to practice before the Illinois Supreme Court, the United States District Courts for the Northern District and Central District of Illinois and the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana. E-mail: dmsinars@matushek.com |