Michael G. Vranicar

Michael Vranicar litigates cases in federal and state courts across the country. In addition to being licensed in both Illinois and California, he has been admitted pro hac vice in eight other states. His practice has most recently focused on high exposure personal injury and property damage cases, including wrongful death, paraplegic, quadriplegic and traumatic brain injury cases. Michael's defense has spanned trucking and bus cases, product liability, construction, professional malpractice, and medical malpractice cases among others.

Prior to practicing law, Michael worked as an electrical engineer involved in design and production support enabling him to bring an engineering focus and understanding to complex technical issues.

Michael is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who obtained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, serving in both legal and infantry officer positions.

• Chicago Bar Association

• Holds the AV® Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, its highest rating for ethics and legal ability

Michael's trial work includes defending wrongful death and personal injuries resulting in multiple spinal disc issues, permanent disabilities, construction site injuries, and medical malpractice. He has also defended several large value property damage cases involving fire damage, building collapse, and construction defects.

• Lead trial counsel in a products liability case against an over the road bus manufacturer. The plaintiffs filed suit after a bus went off the road and rolled over, killing 15 people and injuring 14 others. After settling most claims, the trial proceeded two weeks before the final plaintiff capitulated, and all cases were settled for well under policy limits.
• Trial counsel in a California bad faith case brought following a multi-million dollar construction defect claim which was successfully resolved for only the amounts of the defect claims and no bad faith was awarded.
• Trial counsel in a California construction defect claim brought against the developer of a 300-unit development alleging damages that would exceed any available coverage.
• Lead trial counsel in a medical malpractice lawsuit filed against the doctor following a partial loss of a foot.
• Trial counsel for a general contractor in a construction accident lawsuit brought by an ironworker who fell from the structural steel and suffered a broken vertebra, resulting in quadriplegia.
• Lead team defending client’s emergency dispatch system following suit brought by six police officers who were killed or injured by a felon. Strong implementation of experts and defense strategy led to the dismissal of one case, and the remaining plaintiffs settled shortly before trial for a minimal amount.
• Led a team defending a woodworking manufacturer. A repairman was injured while trying to repair a sawdust collection silo, which resulted in a loss of both legs. Vigorous defense led to a successful settlement below limits and before trial.
• Trial counsel in a products liability suit brought against a manufacturer of portable heaters blamed for causing a house trailer fire that resulted in the death of four children. A verdict was reached below the plaintiff’s demand and within coverage limits.
• Trial counsel in a trucking accident resulting in the death of a retired couple. A verdict was reached well below the plaintiff’s demand.
• Represented a bus manufacturer in a highly contested pedestrian wrongful death action in both trial court and the appellate court, ultimately resulting in a settlement for a low six-figure amount.