Thomas J. Pontikis is a partner of Lipe Lyons Murphy Nahrstadt & Pontikis, Ltd. and a member of the firm's product liability, commercial litigation, class action, insurance coverage and insurance defense practice groups. He focuses his practice on commercial litigation, mass and toxic torts, product liability, construction litigation, professional malpractice and employment litigation. Mr. Pontikis is "AV Preeminent" peer review rated by Martindale-Hubbell, reflecting the highest peer recognition for ethical standards and legal ability.

Mr. Pontikis has been selected by his peers for inclusion in Illinois Leading Lawyers for commercial litigation, product liability, personal injury defense and insurance coverage/reinsurance. He also has been selected as an Illinois "Top Lawyer" for commercial litigation and personal injury defense civil litigation.

Mr. Pontikis has more than 25 years of jury trial experience, handling cases in state and federal courts throughout the United States. He has represented numerous clients in a range of industries, including Ford Motor Company, General Electric Company, Terminix, Viacom/CBS and Zurich Insurance Company.

Mr. Pontikis has extensive experience in product liability and mass and toxic tort matters, including asbestos, breast implant and welding rod litigation. For example, he has represented General Electric in the Breast Implant Litigation and Welding Rod Litigation in a number of different state and federal venues.
Mr. Pontikis regularly consults with a variety of business enterprises on general corporate transactions and other matters, as well as on resolution of internal disputes.

In the commercial litigation area, Mr. Pontikis has litigated numerous cases involving breach of contract claims, real estate disputes and corporate dissolutions.

Practice Areas:

Commercial Litigation, Product Liability, Insurance, Toxic Tort

Education/Bar Admissions

Mr. Pontikis received a B.A., with honors, in 1983 from DePaul University. He received his J.D. in 1986 from DePaul University School of Law.

Mr. Pontikis was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1986 and also has been admitted to the following federal trial and appellate courts:

  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois (including the trial bar)
  • U.S. District Court, Central District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Illinois

In addition, Mr. Pontikis has been admitted pro hac vice in state and federal courts throughout the country.

Professional Activities

Mr. Pontikis is an active member of the Illinois State Bar Association.

Speeches and Presentations

"Updates and Trends on Selected Topics in Product Liability Law," speech in Frankfort, Germany, 2010.
"Kotecki Law – Update and Its Impact on Your Company," speech before insurance industry group, 2009.
"E-Commerce Liabilities," National Association of Independent Insurers Joint Committee, February 15-16, 2002.
"Legal Responsibility – The Duty to Warn," University of Wisconsin-Madison, March 19-21, 2001.
"Post Sale Duty to Warn," University of Wisconsin-Madison, Role of Warnings and Instructions course, March 28-30, 2001.
"Post Sale Duty to Warn," University of Wisconsin-Madison, Role of Warnings and Instructions course, September 19-21, 2001.

 
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