David H. Levitt Honored as Immediate Past President of Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel

David H. Levitt, a Chicago-based member of the Business Litigation Practice of Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, ended his tenure as President of the Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel (IDC) at the organization’s 51st Annual Meeting on June 26, 2015.

Mr. Levitt leaves the top elected position in the IDC with an extensive list of accomplishments. “David’s service to the IDC and the defense bar was exceptional. He was engaged in moving the mission of the IDC forward with everything he did. Whether it was testifying on legislation before the Illinois General Assembly, engaging with other bar associations, or giving presentations on current issues affecting the defense bar, David’s commitment to advancing the IDC and the defense bar was evident. Unquestionably, the IDC is better for having had David Levitt as its President,” said IDC Executive Director Sandra J. Wulf.

Mr. Levitt has served as a member of the IDC executive committee for the past five years and previously served as a member of the organization’s board of directors, as editor-in-chief of the association’s journal, the IDC Quarterly, and is a past recipient of the IDC President’s Award.

Mr. Levitt joined Hinshaw in September 1979. He was a founding member of the Trucking Industry Defense Association and is a member of the American Bar Association sections on Litigation and Tort & Insurance Practice, including their intellectual property, product liability and insurance coverage committees, and a member of the American Intellectual Property Law Association.

Mr. Levitt is also a very active member of the Defense Research Institute (DRI). He has written for many of its publications and served as editor on others. In October 2009 he was appointed Chair of the DRI Commercial Litigation Committee Intellectual Property Specialized Litigation Group (SLG). He served as the group’s vice-chair from 2007 to 2009. In addition, Mr. Levitt was profiled in the “Leadership Spotlight,” section of the December 3, 2007 edition of DRI’s e-newsletter, The Business Suit.

Mr. Levitt has been recognized by his peers as a Leading Lawyer in the categories of Insurance / Insurance Coverage / Reinsurance Law, and Personal Injury Defense Law: Products Liability. In addition, he holds the AV® Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, its highest rating for ethics and legal ability.

The IDC was organized in 1964 and has more than 1,000 members. Its mission is to ensure civil justice with integrity, civility and professional competence.