PRACTICES
Insurance DefenseInsurance Coverage Opinion, Analysis, & Litigation
Governmental & Municipality Law & Litigation
Housing Authority Litigation & Regulatory Compliance
Employment Law & Litigation
General Litigation
EDUCATION
- The John Marshall Law School
- J.D., magna cum laude
- University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, Illinois
- B.A.
ADMISSIONS
- Illinois, 1995
- Florida, 2019
- United States Supreme Court
- United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
- United States District Courts for the Northern, Central, and Southern Districts of Illinois
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana
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Defense Verdict - Negligent Entrustment case where Plaintiffs asked the jury to award $43 million
Lori A. Vanderlaan and Mathew K. HargraveMarch 2020BVH obtains a defense jury verdict in a negligent entrustment case where two young men died and Plaintiffs asked the jury to award $43 million.
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2-615 Dismissal With Prejudice Affirmed on Appeal - Alleged Injury due to Restaurant Melee
Lori A. Vanderlaan and Mathew K. HargraveMay 2017BVH prevails on appeal after obtaining dismissal with prejudice on behalf of an alleged restaurant owner where Plaintiff alleges to have been injured during a fight at the restaurant.
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Summary Judgment Affirmed on Appeal - Alleged Injury from Concrete Pump on Construction Site
Lori A. Vanderlaan and Mathew K. HargraveMay 2017BVH prevails on appeal after obtaining summary judgment in favor of a concrete pumping company where Plaintiff alleged a career-ending injury due to the concrete pump operator's actions in controlling the pump.
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Summary Judgment Affirmed on Appeal - No Indemnity Owed for $1.8 Million Junk Fax Judgment
Lori A. Vanderlaan and Thomas J. Costello, IIINovember 2016BVH obtained summary judgment (affirmed on appeal) in lawsuit seeking indemnification against BVH's insurance company client for a $1.8 million junk fax judgment
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Settlement - Trip and Fall
Lori A. Vanderlaan and Thomas J. Costello, IIISeptember 2016BVH obtains nuisance value settlement of trip and fall claim to save costs of summary judgment and potential appeal
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Settlement - Section 1983, Declaratory, and Permanent Injunctive Relief Claims
Lori A. Vanderlaan and Allie M. BurnetMay 2016BVH obtains early settlement and forces dismissal with prejudice, and waiver of attorney’s fees as to previous injunctive relief, in favor of municipality and chief of police
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Settlement - Declaratory Judgment Action / Insurance Coverage
Lori A. Vanderlaan and Thomas J. Costello, IIIJanuary 2016BVH secures favorable settlement in early stage of declaratory judgment action seeking enforcement of its client’s rights to coverage from defendant insurer.
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Dismissal of Appeal - Multi-Million Dollar Coverage Dispute
Lori A. Vanderlaan and Thomas J. Costello, IIIJanuary 2016BVH secures dismissal of appeal in action seeking indemnity for multi-million dollar settlement.
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Dismissal without Discovery or Motion Practice - Dram Shop
Lori A. Vanderlaan and Kimberlee MassinNovember 2015BVH secures dismissal of liquor manufacturer in dram shop claim prior to any responsive pleading or discovery.
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Summary Judgment - TCPA Coverage
Lori A. Vanderlaan and Thomas J. Costello, IIINovember 2015BVH obtains another summary judgment for an insurer with respect to the issue of duty to defend junk fax case and indemnify $8.4 million dollar underlying judgment.
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Dismissal - Animal Attack/No Duty and Exclusivity of Worker’s Compensation
Lori A. Vanderlaan and Mathew K. HargraveApril 2015BVH obtains dismissal of a dog attack claim based on there being no duty owed by Defendant and separately based on the exclusivity of worker’s compensation as the remedy for Plaintiff’s claim.
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Summary Judgment - Excessive Force
Lori A. Vanderlaan and Joseph E. UraniNovember 2014BVH obtains summary judgment in favor of all police officers in a case alleging excessive force during an arrest.
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Settlement - Miscarriage/Motor Vehicle Accident
Lori A. Vanderlaan and Mathew K. HargraveMay 2014BVH obtains favorable settlement in favor of a commercial vehicle owner and operator in a case alleging a rear-end motor vehicle accident caused Plaintiff’s miscarriage.
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Dismissal - Contract Defense and Indemnity Claim
Lori A. Vanderlaan and Fritz V. WilsonJanuary 2014BVH obtains dismissal of a claim by Plaintiff's employer for breach of contract in failing to defend and indemnify the employer regarding claims against it and for over $400,000 in worker’s compensation payments.
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Jury Verdict - Not Guilty for Death Claim under Dram Shop Act
Lori A. Vanderlaan, Kimberlee Massin, and Carrie LindenJanuary 2013BVH obtains defense jury verdict in favor of Defendant social club in a death claim brought under the Dram Shop Act.
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Dismissal - Dram Shop Act and Impaired Minor Act
Lori A. Vanderlaan and Kimberlee MassinJune 2012BVH obtains dismissal of a Dram Shop Act claim and a negligence claim pursuant to the Drug and Alcohol Impaired Minor Responsibility Act (“Impaired Minor Act") against a liquor store.
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Jury Verdict - Dram Shop Act/Motor Vehicle Accident
Lori A. VanderlaanJanuary 2012BVH obtains a defense jury verdict a Dram Shop Act claim where Plaintiff claimed he was severely injured in a motor vehicle accident and incurred over $500,000 in medical bills.