Edward G. Zaknoen is of counsel to the firm.
Mr. Zaknoen is a highly experienced litigator with over thirty years of experience. He has handled a wide variety of civil claims, including toxic torts, product liability, negligence, fraud, RICO, antitrust, real estate, patent infringement, director and officer liability, personal injury, breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty. He has extensive experience in all phases of case preparation and procedure.
Experience
At Winston & Strawn, LLP, Mr. Zaknoen was an integral member of the trial teams in some of the largest and most complex civil actions ever handled by the firm, which, at the time, were some of the largest civil cases ever filed. He was involved in all phases of these cases from response to trial and worked closely with lead trial counsel in the trial of these cases. After leaving Winston & Strawn, Mr. Zaknoen practiced in his own firm, again concentrating in trial practice and procedure.
Among Mr. Zaknoen’s notable accomplishments as lead counsel or as member of a trial or litigation team are the following:
- Tried and won a three-day bench trial in Circuit Court of Cook County, involving a claim of adverse possession of a multi-unit building (lead counsel) and successfully handled appeal
- Conducted Markman hearings for plaintiff in patent infringement cases; obtained substantial settlements (lead counsel)
- Represented plaintiffs in various personal injury cases; obtained substantial settlements (lead counsel)
- Represented plaintiffs in jury trial of medical malpractice claim
- Defense of major tobacco company against antitrust, consumer fraud and other claims brought by the State of Washington; case tried to a jury in Seattle for approximately eight weeks before settling
- Defense of major tobacco company against racketeering claims brought by the United States Department of Justice; case tried to the bench in federal court in Washington D.C. for nearly a year
- Represented government agency as receiver in investigating and pursuing officers and directors and other claims; obtained substantial settlement of directors and officers claim
- Filed amicus curiae brief in United States Supreme Court for nonprofit foundation in First Amendment case
Education
Indiana University School of Law, Bloomington, Juris Doctor, 1991, cum laude; Law Journal, Editorial Staff, 1990-91
Indiana University, Bloomington, B. A., History, Political Science, 1987
Admitted to practice in Northern and Central Districts of Illinois • Member, Trial Bar of the Northern District of Illinois • Admitted to practice in Illinois state courts • Admitted to practice in United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
Prior Professional Experience
Zaknoen& Zaknoen, LLC, 2007-2017, Co-Founder and Principal
Winston & Strawn, LLP, Chicago, 1996-2002, 2004-2006, Associate, Partner, Of Counsel
Lucas, Holcomb & Medrea, Merrillville, 1991-1996, Associate