
PRACTICES
Insurance Coverage Opinion, Analysis, & LitigationEmployment Law & Litigation
Governmental & Municipality Law & Litigation
Insurance Defense
General Litigation
EDUCATION
- University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Illinois
- J.D., cum laude
- University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Illinois
- B.S., Psychology, Minor in Spanish
ADMISSIONS
- Illinois, 2004
- Indiana, 2018
- United States District Courts for the Northern, Central, and Southern Districts of Illinois
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Summary judgment win on declaratory judgment action involving alleged real estate misrepresentation
Tom Costello and Chris KtenasMarch 2023BVH secures summary judgment for insurer as to underlying misrepresentation suit
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Appellate Decision for BVH Client on UM/UIM Coverage Matter
Tom Costello and Chris KtenasJanuary 2023BVH secures declaratory judgment that client does not owe UM or UIM coverage for accident involving rental vehicle
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Trial win in multi-fusion rear end collision case for BVH
Tom Costello and Wade ShimerOctober 2022BVH secures not guilty verdict in rear-end, multiple fusion trial
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Declaratory Judgment for BVH Client in BIPA suit
Tom Costello and Chris KtenasSeptember 2022BVH secures declaratory judgment that insurer client owes no coverage for BIPA liability lawsuit
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Supreme Court Win on Declaratory Judgment Action
Tom Costello and Eman SentenoJune 2022BVH secures win before Indiana Supreme Court on Declaratory Judgment Action
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Defense Verdict and Counterclaim Win – Auto Accident
Tom Costello and Wade ShimerDecember 2020Defense Verdict and Recovery on Counterclaim in Covid-Impacted Trial
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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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Summary Judgment Affirmed on Appeal - Insurance Policy Special Limit Applied
James F. Best and Thomas J. Costello, IIIOctober 2016BVH obtains declaratory judgment that special limit of liability for jewelry applied, affirmed on appeal
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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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Declaratory Judgment Granted and Affirmed on Appeal - Insurance Policies Inapplicable
James F. Best and Thomas J. Costello, IIIMay 2016BVH obtains declaratory judgment that auto and umbrella liability policies did not apply due to regular use
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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 - Prooduct Liability
Thomas J. Costello, III and Denise N. KruseNovember 2015BVH secures dismissal of large property damage product liability 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.