The first trial begins Monday, April 7, 2025, in federal District Court in Chicago against the Boeing Corporation for the 2019 crash of a 737 MAX8 aircraft in Ethiopia on behalf of two victims who were among the 157 killed six years ago. The tragedy occurred on March 19, 2019, minutes after takeoff from the Addis Ababa airport in Ethiopia.
U. S. Federal District Court Judge Jorge Alonso will begin jury selection Monday at the Dirksen Federal Building, 219 S. Dearborn, Courtroom 1903. Jury selection is set to begin at 8:30 a.m. CST.
The trial is expected to last two weeks to determine damages for the victims’ families. Judge Alonso ruled that eight jurors will hear the civil cases. Robert A. Clifford, founder and senior partner of Clifford Law Offices and Lead Counsel in the litigation, will be trying the case of Antoine Lewis along with Antonio M. Romanucci, Founding Partner of Romanucci & Blandin in Chicago, who is lead counsel on that case. Robert Clifford will also try the case of Darcy Belanger, who is also represented by Mark Lindquist of Mark Lindquist Law in Tacoma, Washington, lead counsel on that case, and Austin Bartlett of BartlettChen LLC of Chicago.
Lewis, 39, was a U.S. Army Captain from suburban Chicago, Illinois. Cpt. Lewis was on military leave, taking a trip to Africa to investigate opportunities to begin a logistics business that would address the systemic supply chain failures in the continent that fascinated him so deeply. He was approaching 20 years in the military, at which time he would have been eligible for his full military pension and eyeing a post-military life with his wife, fellow Army soldier, Yalena Lopez Lewis, and their two sons.
“The deepest tragedy of the E302 disaster is that it simply didn’t have to happen, and the devastating loss of Antoine Lewis and 156 other souls was fully preventable. We are honored to tell Antoine’s personal story in court and are grateful to the jury for their service in this important matter,” said Antonio M. Romanucci, Founding Partner of Romanucci & Blandin.
Belanger, 46, of Denver, Colorado, was the director of professional development at PCL Construction. He was also a founding member of an environmental non-profit group. At the time of the crash, he was flying to a United Nations Environmental Assembly where he was scheduled to speak. He left behind his wife, Amie, and his two parents.
“Darcy is missed as a husband, son, and colleague,” said Lindquist, lead counsel on the Belanger case. “Amie looks forward to telling his story to the jury.”
Case Background
Boeing has previously agreed to take full responsibility for the cause of the crash. The trial, therefore, will focus on damages to the surviving family members.
For further information, contact Clifford Law Offices Communications Partner Pamela Sakowicz Menaker at 847-721-0909 (cell) or Pammenaker@cliffordlaw.com or Romanucci & Blandin Chief Communications Officer Jennifer McGuffin at press@rblaw.net or 630-842-8143.
About Clifford Law
Clifford Law Offices is a nationally recognized personal injury and medical malpractice firm based in Chicago. With over 40 years of experience, the firm has secured record-setting verdicts and settlements for clients in cases involving wrongful death, medical negligence, and catastrophic injuries. Known for their compassionate approach and commitment to excellence, the attorneys at Clifford Law Offices provide clients with the representation needed to hold negligent parties accountable. For more information or to schedule a consultation, visit www.cliffordlaw.com or call (312) 899-9090
About Romanucci & Blandin
Romanucci & Blandin is a Chicago-based national trial practice committed to fighting for victims of negligence, abuse, and wrongful death. For more than 25 years, we have secured
more than $1 billion in verdicts and settlements for our clients – many for millions of dollars and others record-setting awards. Our experience ranges from mass shootings, civil rights and police misconduct to medical malpractice, sexual abuse, motor vehicle accidents or workplace injury cases involving individual or institutional negligence. Romanucci & Blandin is a valuable legal resource to individuals and groups of people who have been injured by others’ wrongdoing. Referring attorneys and clients say several factors differentiate our firm: Our record of success, depth of experience, talented and dedicated legal team, tireless preparation, and strategic use of communications to fight for the rights of those whose lives have been changed forever. We are different from other personal injury firms in that our work does not stop when a verdict or settlement is secured. We are often inspired by our clients’ experiences and commit resources to create change in our communities. For more information about Romanucci & Blandin, please visit www.rblaw.net or call (312) 458-1000.
About Mark Lindquist Law
Mark Lindquist Law, an aviation and personal injury firm, is located in Tacoma, Washington. Lindquist, a former elected Prosecutor for Pierce County, represented dozens of victim families in the two crashes of the Boeing 737 Max 8 and currently represents 34 passengers in the recent door plug blowout on an Alaska Airlines Boeing Max 9. His firm also represents victims of government negligence, including officer-involved shootings. In 2024, the firm was voted “Best Personal Injury Law Firm” in Pierce County.
About BartlettChen LLC
Based in Chicago, BartlettChen LLC represents individuals in aviation, wrongful death, and immigration matters across the nation and internationally. Austin Bartlett of BartlettChen has practiced aviation law for more than two decades and brings the unique perspective of a former aviation defense attorney to help victims and their families secure full compensation for their losses.