Associate
In the last 24 months alone, Craig Squillace has tried to verdict two cases that have, in total, resulted in just under $1 million.
What is most surprising is that this kind of record is far from unusual for Squillace, a personal injury specialist with Chicago’s Clifford Law Offices.
Squillace’s fellow attorneys say that he possesses all the skills and knowledge of lawyers many years his senior. This becomes obvious when looking at Squillace’s record: He has earned several million – and multi-million-dollar settlements for his clients.
“Craig displays a remarkable amount of knowledge and skill for someone his age,” said J. Matthew Dudley, with the Libertyville firm of Dudley & Lake. “I have personally observed him on trial and at contested hearings. In both settings, I walked away impressed with his knowledge of the highly technical issues involved and also with the calm, professional and very persuasive demeanor in which he articulated his client’s position.”
During his career, Squillace has taken on several high-profile cases. In one of these, he was representing former Kansas City Royals’ baseball coach Tom Gamboa, who was attacked on the field at U.S. Cellular Field by a father and son who were attending a White Sox game.
Those familiar with this case, and with Squillace’s work on it, say that the young attorney has provided Gamboa with the best representation possible. This has included conducting discovery of security officers with both skill and respect. It also means that Squillace has shown an acute understanding of Major League Baseball’s standards and regulations. At the same time, Squillace’s knowledge of the medical issues involved in the case has been impressive.
Squillace also demonstrated his ample legal skills as part of a team that obtained an $11 million settlement for the victims of an airplane crash. He also helped untangle a factually confusing and emotionally charged case on behalf of several families whose homes had been contaminated by mercury.
One of Squillace’s latest settlements involved a 16-year-old passenger who suffered a traumatic brain injury when the vehicle he was riding in was struck by a school bus carrying a high school gymnastics team. The case ultimately settled on the eve of trial in the amount of $2.8 million.
“Craig is a very sharp and hard-working attorney, who is not intimidated by the high profile nature of a case,” said Robert Shannon, with Chicago’s Hinshaw & Culbertson. “Craig is fair and professional while always maintaining a great sense of humor. His work ethic, tenacity and ability to form and maintain strong bonds with opposing counsel will serve him well in his future career.”
Squillace’s peers say his early success is no fluke. It comes from hard work, a dedication to his clients and a willingness to do the long hours of research necessary to succeed in trial.
“Craig is dedicated to his clients at a level which has and will continue to bring him great success,” said Shawn Kasserman, with the Chicago law office of Corboy & Demetrio. “It is apparent that Craig is proudly following in the footsteps of his mentor, Bob Clifford.”
Age: 34
Law School: The John Marshall Law School
Practice Area: Personal Injury