Anthony J. O'Neill, Esq.

Anthony J. O’Neill is an associate at Williams Montgomery & John Ltd. He is a founding member of the firm’s government relations practice group, which primarily focuses on developing strategies for clients whose businesses are economically affected by Illinois state and local governments. He also is a member of the firm’s commercial litigation and product liability practice groups.

Mr. O’Neill and his colleagues at the firm were selected by their peers for membership in the National Association of State Lobbyists, an invitation-only association of top lobbyists selected from each state. Mr. O’Neill serves as president of the Young Professionals Board of the Center for Disability and Elder Law, a 501(c)(3) non-profit that provides pro bono legal services to the elderly and disabled in Cook County, Ill. He recently was invited to join the Chicago Inn of Court, the membership of which is comprised of local judges from the state and federal courts and practicing trial lawyers in the Chicago area.

As a lobbyist, Mr. O’Neill communicates with lawmakers by advocating for the passage or defeat of legislation pending before the Illinois General Assembly. When Mr. O’Neill is representing a client’s interests before the legislative or executive branches of government, he creates a detailed strategy designed for success. For example, when a banking and trust industry client wants to change the law on power of attorney for commercial purposes, Mr. O’Neill is able to direct the proposed legislation to a committee whose members are familiar with the client’s issue. Once the committee has voted in favor of the bill, it will be called in that particular chamber of the General Assembly for a floor vote. Throughout this process, Mr. O’Neill is in direct contact with the members of the legislature who ultimately will determine whether the client’s legislation will be approved for the Governor’s Office and signed into law.

Mr. O’Neill also works closely with executive directors of trade associations for a variety of industries and with other lobbyists to develop coalitions to help achieve clients’ desired results.

In the commercial litigation area, Mr. O’Neill manages cases involving breach of contract, property damage, breach of fiduciary duty and securities law claims. He represents the firm’s clients in complex business disputes that often involve a contractual relationship gone awry due to a difference in opinion as to the interpretation of the contract language or a breach of the contract by one of the parties. Mr. O’Neill represents both plaintiffs and defendants from the pleading stage through trial.

Mr. O’Neill also has experience in product liability matters. He was part of a trial team that recently won a highly publicized product liability case defending a propane tank manufacturer in a seven-week jury trial. The plaintiff, who was seriously burned when a propane cylinder leaked propane gas inside his van, asked for damages of $32 million. The jury returned a verdict of “not guilty” in favor of the defendant on all counts. During the pre-trial phase, Mr. O’Neill drafted motions for summary judgment, motions in limine, and other pre-trial memorandums of law for the court. He attended trial and identified specific areas in fact and expert witness testimony that were used for impeachment purposes at trial.

Prior to joining Williams Montgomery & John, Mr. O’Neill served as a law clerk to the Honorable Charles P. Kocoras, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois, for the 2008-2009 session. During his clerkship, Mr. O’Neill prepared draft memorandum opinions and orders of the court, and he aided the judge during several complex trials. While in law school, Mr. O’Neill clerked for Corboy & Demetrio, P.C., one of Chicago’s premier personal injury plaintiffs’ law firms, where he prepared substantive motions on behalf of the firm’s clients and participated in all aspects of trial practice.

Education/Bar Admissions

Mr. O’Neill received a B.A. in classics and letters in 2004 from the University of Oklahoma. He received his J.D., cum laude, in 2007 from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School, where he regularly competed in mock trial and moot court competitions and received various awards.

Mr. O’Neill is a registered lobbyist in the State of Illinois. He is a member of the Illinois bar and also is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

Professional Activities

Mr. O’Neill is active in various professional and civic organizations, including:

• Chicago Bar Association
• Chicago Bar Foundation, member, Advocacy Committee
• American Bar Association
• National Association of State Lobbyists
• Center for Disability and Elder Law, president, Young Professionals Board
• Chicago Inn of Court

Practicing: Commercial Litigation