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"She is extremely responsive, comes up with creative solutions and provides excellent analysis on cases."

Chambers USA 2023

Overview

Jen is a hands-on litigator with experience defending businesses in high-stakes toxic tort, asbestos, talc, and product liability matters—often in the nation’s most challenging jurisdictions.

She has served as both national coordinating counsel and lead counsel for major corporations, managing thousands of cases across multiple jurisdictions. Jen leverages innovative technology and data-driven strategies to deliver efficient, business-focused defense solutions tailored to each client’s risk profile.

A recognized leader in asbestos and talc litigation, Jen is a core member of the Innovāt Alliance National Asbestos Defense Team. She has successfully defended clients in large-scale asbestos and talc matters, including high-profile and coordinated national litigation, and is known for crafting strategies that align with both business and legal objectives.

Jen’s litigation experience is comprehensive—she takes and defends key depositions, crafts winning motions, and appears in court for asbestos, talc, toxic tort, and product liability matters. Her collaborative, hands-on approach includes working closely with company leadership, employees, and expert witnesses to uncover critical facts and build compelling defenses. Jen also integrates cutting-edge tools like artificial intelligence to help clients achieve a competitive edge in litigation defense.

Beyond toxic torts, Jen’s litigation background also encompasses commercial disputes, white collar investigations, insurance litigation, and contract matters, giving her a unique and broad perspective on risk management across diverse legal landscapes.

As one of the editors of the firm’s “Product Perspective: Complex Tort & Product Law” blog, Jen stays at the forefront of emerging case law and litigation trends. She also serves as an executive sponsor of the firm’s HB Allies Employee Resource Group, reflecting her commitment to leadership within and beyond the courtroom.

With a proven track record in managing complex litigation and delivering results for large asbestos, talc, and toxic tort dockets, Jen is a trusted partner for clients navigating the evolving challenges of toxic tort, asbestos, and talc litigation nationwide.

"She is extremely responsive, comes up with creative solutions and provides excellent analysis on cases."

Chambers USA 2023

Industry

Services

Recognition

  • The Best Lawyers in America®
    • Product Liability Litigation - Defendants, 2023-2025
  • Chambers USA
    • Product Liability: Toxic Torts, Nationwide, 2023-2025
  • The Legal 500 United States
    • Product liability, mass tort and class action - defense: toxic tort, Recommended lawyer, 2025
  • JD Supra Readers' Choice Awards
    • Top Author, Product Liability, 2024
  • Illinois Super Lawyers, Rising Star, 2012-2021
  • Association of Corporate Counsel, Value Champion, 2018

Education

  • J.D., Chicago-Kent College of Law
    • with high honors
    • Order of the Coif
    • CALI Awards for highest grade in Commercial Law Payment Systems, Contracts, Evidence, Legal Writing 3 and Trial Advocacy 1
  • B.A., Lake Forest College
    • magna cum laude

Admissions

  • Illinois
  • Missouri
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
  • U.S. Supreme Court

Professional Memberships and Certifications

  • IADC, 2023-present
  • Chicago Bar Association, Judicial Review Committee, 2014-2020
  • Defense Research Institute
    • Young Lawyers Steering Committee, 2014-2016
    • Toxic Torts and Environmental Law Committee, 2012-present; Vice Chair, 2021-2022; Chair, 2022-2024


*Contact Jennifer to set up an in-person consultation by appointment in the Chicago office.

Experience
  • Secured a grant of summary judgment from an Illinois trial court—later affirmed by the Appellate Court of Illinois, Second District—in personal injury litigation involving a workplace injury incurred by a staffing agency employee. We asserted successfully that our client was a borrowing employer under section 1(a)(4) of Illinois' Workers' Compensation Act, and therefore, plaintiff's claims were barred by the Act's exclusive-remedy provision applicable to borrowing and loaning employers. Torrijos v. International Paper Company, 2021 IL App (2d) 1911502021
  • Served as national coordinating counsel for defense of asbestos litigation on behalf of large global company. Supervised local counsel nationwide and developed global strategies for defense of these matters, including settlement and trial strategies.
  • Managed automotive tort and warranty claims across several jurisdictions, including pre-litigation claims. Negotiated dismissals and favorable settlements.
  • Represented nuclear power plants in insurance disputes over outage and property damage claims. Assisted one client in obtaining favorable settlement through mediation.
  • Represented food manufacturer in contract litigation dispute with commercial customer. Obtained favorable summary judgment and appellate rulings.
  • Obtained summary judgment in personal injury/product liability case where plaintiff alleged that our client's product had improper warnings which led to a chemical explosion.
  • Successfully represented manufacturing company in a two-count tort action concerning injuries suffered by a truck driver who alleged significant injury from a fall while on the client's property.
  • Secured summary judgment for a corporate defendant in a complex toxic tort case in one of the nation's most challenging jurisdictions. With less than a week before trial, assembled and led a multidisciplinary team from multiple offices to develop a comprehensive defense strategy, review extensive records, and prepare key witnesses.
Blog | June 23, 2025
Update on Illinois Tort Reform
Blog | December 12, 2023
MoCRA: What's on the Horizon for PFAS?
Outside the Office

Outside the office, Jen is a runner, cyclist, and tennis player who enjoys staying active. She finds relaxation and inspiration in her kitchen, where she loves experimenting with new recipes, and in her garden, where she grows fresh herbs and vegetables. An avid world traveler, Jen and her husband embrace opportunities to explore new cultures and cuisines, often bringing home fresh ideas for cooking and gardening. Whether training for a race, perfecting her backhand, planning her next adventure, or nurturing her latest crop, Jen brings the same energy and passion to her hobbies as she does to her legal practice.

Community Leadership
  • Roscoe Village Neighbors; Board Member, 2016-2021; Secretary, 2019-2021