John R. Schleiter
Partner

John Schleiter is a partner in the firm's Chicago office. He has focused his practice on litigation, and he represents the interests of corporations and insurance companies as both plaintiffs and defendants in cases across the United States and abroad. Mr. Schleiter also provides counsel to domestic and foreign corporations on a broad range of corporate law matters.

Mr. Schleiter's litigation experience includes extensive involvement in all phases of complex transactional and litigation matters. Exemplar defense cases involve class actions, construction defect cases, product liability cases and commercial litigation matters. Mr. Schleiter has successfully defended his clients in cases involving numerous parties wherein hundreds of millions of dollars in damages are claimed. Exemplar plaintiff cases arise out of product failures, fires and explosions which resulted in damage to both property and business interests and involve the analysis of complex tort, contractual and Uniform Commercial Code issues. Mr. Schleiter has successfully resolved many cases resulting in seven-figure recoveries for his clients.

Mr. Schleiter prides himself on being able to methodically and effectively counsel and advise his clients as they work their way through complex litigation. He is well-versed in the amicable resolution of matters through alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, including the American Arbitration Association and Inter-Company Arbitration.

Recent presentations by Mr. Schleiter include, Getting Past the Gatekeeper, Daubert & Its Progeny, at the NASP 2006 Litigation Skills Conference; a presentation on Trial Cross Examination of the Adverse Expert at the NASP 2007 Litigation Skills Conference; a presentation on Ethical Issues Involved in Litigation at the NASP 2007 National Conference; a presentation on Recent Developments, Trends and Decisions in Property Subrogation, at Execusummit in April 2011; a presentation on Best Practices for Investigation of Catastrophic Loss Sites, at College of DuPage Homeland Security Education Center in October 2011; a presentation on Preparing Forensic Expert Witnesses for Trial, at the National Institute of Certified Floorcovering Inspectors in October 2011; a presentation on Recent Developments, Trends and Decisions in Property Subrogation, at the NASP 2011 Annual Conference; a presentation on Fire Investigations: Current Challenges, at PLRB Claims Conference & Insurance Expo in March 2012; a presentation on Preparing Your Witness for Deposition and Trial, at the NASP 2012 Litigation Skills & Management Conference; a presentation on Cooperating Between Public Agencies and Insurance Carriers in the Investigation of Complex Fire Scenes, at the National Center for Homeland Security in April 2012; and a publication on Made-Whole Interpretations Leave Insurers Feeling Empty, in the Claims Journal, Spring Edition 2012. Mr. Schleiter lectures annually at the NASP National Conference on the topic of recent developments in statutory and decisional law affecting property litigation and has been a guest lecturer at the Institute of Forensic Investigation annual conference. Mr. Schleiter was also the chairperson for the NASP 2008 Litigation Skills Conference and was the Property Track Leader for the NASP 2009 Litigation Skills Conference, a conference focusing on litigation skills and techniques.

Mr. Schleiter is a member of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Subrogation Professionals and a Trustee for the Ray Graham Association, an organization that supports and works with people with disabilities.

Education

• University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, B.A. 1993
• John Marshall Law School, J.D. 1996

Admissions

• Illinois State Bar
• United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
• United States District Court of the Eastern District of Wisconsin
• Pro hac vice throughout the United States

Professional Affiliations

• National Association of Subrogation Professionals
• Board Member, National Association of Subrogation Professionals
• Defense Research Institute
• Council on Litigation Management
• Institute of Forensic Investigation

Volunteer/Public Service

• Ray Graham Association, Trustee