Hon. Thomas A. Meyer, (Ret.)
IllinoisNeutral AvailabilityJudge Meyer has been involved in civil litigation for nearly four decades. Prior to becoming a judge, he was a founding partner at SmithAmundsen LLC (now Amundsen Davis LLC), Chicago office, and was chairman of the Civil Litigation practice group. His legal practice focused on construction, commercial transportation, product liability and professional liability. Judge Meyer took the bench in 2007 in the 22nd Circuit Court in McHenry County. There, he spent 13 years handling litigation in the Law Division. He has a wide range of experience, having tried and pre-tried hundreds of civil cases both as a litigator and judge. Judge Meyer has helped resolve matters involving everything from employment and partnership disputes to medical malpractice and nursing home cases. His unruffled demeanor along with his ability to understand the needs and interests of others make him well suited for his role as a mediator and arbitrator.
Types of Cases Resolved
- Auto Liability
- Bad Faith
- Class Action
- Construction Accidents
- Construction Defect
- Contract
- Discrimination
- Eminent Domain
- Employment
- Environmental
- Estates
- Fiduciary Duty
- Fraud
- Government
- Insurance Coverage
- Landlord-Tenant
- Medical Malpractice
- Nursing Home
- Partnership Dispute
- Personal Injury
- Premises Liability
- Probate
- Product Liability
- Professional Malpractice
- Property Damage
- Real Estate
- Sexual Harassment
- Shareholder Dispute
- Temporary Restraining Order (TRO)
- Uninsured & Underinsured Motorist (UM&UIM)
- Workers' Compensation
- Wrongful Death
ADR Experience and Qualifications
- Since joining ADR Systems in 2024, Judge Meyer has served as a full-time mediator and arbitrator
- 16-year judicial career in the 22nd Circuit Court of McHenry County, including Circuit Judge, initially assigned to traffic and later criminal; serving primarily in the Law Division, 2007-2023
- 23-year legal career in civil litigation at SmithAmundsen LLC, Chairman of Civil Litigation Group, 2003-2007 and Manager of firm’s Rockford and Woodstock offices, 1994-2003; Querrey & Harrow, Ltd. 1987-1997; Associate at McSherry & Gray, 1985-1987
- Arbitrator for the Cook, McHenry and Winnebago Counties’ Mandatory Arbitration Program
- Special Assistant State’s Attorney, McHenry and Winnebago counties
Representative Cases
- Contract: plaintiff, a medical clinic, filed suit alleging that a provider, while employed by clinic, violated non-compete agreement and misappropriated patient contact information; settled case when parties agreed to geographical areas where defendant might continue his new practice and a division of the patient lists
- Medical Malpractice: plaintiff brought suit through her guardian against defendants, alleging medical malpractice due to failure to correctly diagnose and treat her condition; plaintiff experienced brain damage and a stroke, resulting in the appointment of a guardian to manage her affairs; matter settled for several million dollars
- Medical Malpractice and Wrongful Death: allegations that the defendant provider failed to diagnose the plaintiff’s decedent colorectal cancer
- Medical Malpractice and Wrongful Death: case arising out of a failed stomach stapling surgery that was intended to help the plaintiff’s decedent to lose weight
- Personal Injury: settled case involving multiple defendants working on a housing development; resolution required interpretation of multiple subcontracts among the defendants
- Personal Injury: plaintiff alleged significant injuries to his leg due to negligent operation of a stump grinder by defendant’s employees
- Probate: plaintiff and his siblings were beneficiaries of a family trust; suit for declaratory judgment involved allegations that trustees had violated their fiduciary duties and must be removed; settlement involved one of the trustees stepping down and the termination of the agreements that were alleged to have created the conflicts of interest
- Real Estate: buyer claimed fraudulent misrepresentation from alleged failure to disclose water infiltration issues in the purchased residence; case was settled in early stages of the litigation
- Wrongful Death: case arose from an automobile accident wherein the defendant’s delivery van struck the plaintiff’s vehicle and caused the death of one of the passengers
Professional Activities and Awards
- Named a Super Lawyer in Illinois by Law & Politics
- Member, Chicago Bar Association
- Member, Winnebago County Bar Association
- Member, McHenry County Bar Association
- Member, Illinois State Bar Association
- Member, Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel
Presentations and Publications
- Presenter, “Jury Instructions,” O’Hagan, Smith & Amundsen LLC litigation attorneys
- Presenter, “Issues in Electronic Discovery,” O’Hagan, Smith & Amundsen LLC seminar
- Presenter, “Tort Reform and Best v. Taylor,” Kmart litigation team
Education
- JD, DePaul University College of Law
- BBA, St. Norbert College
Admissions
- Illinois State Bar
Disclosure
I was a sitting judge for over 16 years, have practiced law and have been a mediator and arbitrator since 2024. Many attorneys have tried cases in my courtrooms or mediated or arbitrated a case with me.
The disclosures listed above will not affect my neutrality in this dispute.