John J. Piegore

John Piegore brings over 30 years of experience in trial and appellate court practice. He is counsel of record in four State Supreme Court decisions and more than 20 published Appellate Court decisions. He represents insurers and insureds in matters involving liability, property and excess insurance coverage cases. He also has extensive experience representing agents and brokers in professional liability claims.

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REPORTED CASES

A. STATE SUPREME COURT

• Crossman Communities -vs- Harleysville Insurance Company, 395 S.C. 40, 717 S.E.2d 589 (Supreme Court of South Carolina, 2011). Won reversal of Appellate Court decision. The Supreme Court adopted time-on-the-risk in progressive damage cases, overruling its prior decision in Century Indemnity Co. -vs- Golden Hills Builders, 348 S.C. 559, 561 S.E.2d 355 (SC, 2002). (John Piegore argued).
• L.J., Inc. -vs- Bituminous Fire & Marine Ins. Co., 366 S.C. 117, 621 S.E.2d 33 (South Carolina Supreme Court, 2005). Won reversal of Appellate Court decision. Supreme Court held that deterioration of roads as a result of contractor’s faulty workmanship was not an “occurrence” as defined in CGL policy. (John Piegore argued).
• American Family Insurance Co. -vs- Michael Savickas,193 Ill.2d 378, 739 N.E.2d 445 (2000). Won reversal of appellate court decision. The Supreme Court overruled Thornton -vs- Paul, 74 Ill.2d 132 (1979) which prohibited use of criminal conviction to establish policy exclusion for injury expected or intended. Court held insured’s conviction of first degree murder established policy exclusion for bodily injury expected or intended by the insured. (John Piegore argued).

B. UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS

• American Alliance Ins. Co. -vs- IARW Ins. Co., 165 F.3d 558 (7th Cir., 1999). Won affirmance of District Court judgment in case of first impression in Illinois applying equitable contribution in favor of property insurer against warehouse legal liability insurer for loss of property covered under both policies. (John Piegore argued).
• Collette Khuans -vs- School District 110, 123 F.3d 1010 (7th Cir., 1997). Won reversal of District Court decision. Court held School Superintendent was entitled to qualified immunity from suit alleging retaliatory discharge brought by teacher claiming violation of First Amendment right to speak on matters of public concern. (John Piegore argued).

C. ILLINOIS APPELLATE COURT

• Hatem Alshwaiyat -vs- American Service Ins. Co., 2013 IL App (1st) 123222, 986 N.E.2d 182 (Ill.App., 2013). Won reversal of trial court decision. Court held insurer owed no duty to make second offer of increased limits for uninsured motorist coverage when policyholder increased liability limits mid-term, or again at policy renewal. (No oral argument).
• American Country Ins. Co. -vs- Chicago Carriage Cab Corp., 2012 IL App (1st) 110761, 976 N.E.2d573 (Ill.App., 2012). Won affirmance of trial court decision. Court held insurer owed no duty to indemnify lessor of cab for jury verdict finding negligent entrustment where lessee-operator used cab to commit armed robbery and run over the victim trying to escape. Court found the injury did not arise out of the ownership, maintenance of use of an auto under commercial taxi policy. (John Piegore argued).
• Timothy Czarnecki -vs- Vernon L. Goedecke, 339 Ill.App.3d 504, 791 N.E.2d 164 (1st Dist., 2003). Won reversal of Trial Court decision. Appellate Court ordered case transferred from Cook County to Will County based upon doctrine of forum non conveniens. (No oral argument).
• Jahnene Clay -vs- Diane Huntley, 338 Ill.App.3d 68, 787 N.E.2d 317 (1st Dist., 2003). Won reversal of trial court decision. Appellate Court held trial court lacked jurisdiction to enter $400,000 default judgment against estate of deceased defendant, where special administrator was not properly served. (John Piegore argued)
• Krusinski Construction Co. -vs- Northbrook Prop. & Cas. Co., 326 Ill.App.3d 210, 760 N.E.2d 530 (1st Dist., 2001). Won affirmance of trial court declaratory judgment which allowed apportionment of defense costs for underlying suit which alleged covered and non-covered causes of action. First Illinois court to follow California rule of apportionme

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

• Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel (Member Board of Directors, 2000 – 2003) Member Amicus Committee 2003- ).
• Defense Research Institute
• Illinois State Bar Association
• Chicago Bar Association

PUBLICATIONS & PRESENTATIONS

• Coverage Considerations for Paratransit Operators, for Atlas Financial Holdings, August 23, 2012; Basics of a Reservation of Rights Letter II, for American Country Ins. Co., September 10, 2011; Basics of a Reservation of Rights Letter, for American Country Ins. Co., November 18, 2008; Structuring Insurance Language for Construction Contracts and Leases, for the Conference for Catholic Facility Management, Chicago, IL May 2, 2007;
• Insurance Coverage for Construction Defects, for the Chicago Bar Association, Young Lawyers Section, November 20, 2002;
• Coverage Triggers: Allocation of Coverage for Claims Involving Multiple Policy Years or Occurrences, such as Mold, Asbestos and Building Defects, (approved by Illinois Department of Insurance for mandatory continuing education of licensed insurance producers) for the Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel and the Insurance School of Chicago, November 14, 2002.
• One for the Good Guys – The Supreme Court Decision in American Family -vs- Savickas, at American Family Insurance Company, Madison WI, October 3, 2000.
• Coverage Considerations for Agents and Brokers Liability Under Special Coverage Form, at ITT Hartford, Naperville, Illinois, September, 1998;
• Coverage Considerations Under ISO Truckers Coverage Form, at Specialty Risk Services, Naperville, Illinois, January, 1998;
• Agents and Brokers Liability (approved by Illinois Department of Insurance for MCE of licensed insurance producers) at American Country Insurance Company, Chicago, Illinois, October, 1997;
• Proportionate Liability and the Implied Abolition of Set-Off published in the Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel Monograph, IDC Quarterly (4th Quarter, 1997)
• Additional Insured Endorsements (approved by Illinois Department of Insurance for MCE of licensed insurance producers) at American Country Insurance Company, Chicago, Illinois, October, 1996;
• The Right to Contribution and Set-Off Under Proportionate Liability, at American Family Insurance Company, Chicago, Illinois, October, 1995.
• The Conflict Between Punitive Damages and The Right to Contribution, published in the Illinois Bar Journal, 78 IBJ 338 (July, 1990); cited as persuasive authority by Illinois Supreme Court in Ziarko v. Soo Line R.R., 161 Ill.2d 267, 277 (1994).
• Exploring the Limits of Wilson v. Clark, published in the DuPage County Bar Journal, 5 DuP B.J. 16 (April, 1993)