The power of preparation. A record of winning verdicts. And plenty of legal milestones: Thomas Demetrio has earned his status as a legal legend. By Dan Rafter — Special to Law Bulletin Media Thomas A. Demetrio
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Demetrio made it his goal to be as fierce of an advocate for his clients as Corboy was for his.
Stepping into the courtroom only after he’s thoroughly prepared for a case. Crafting meticulous final and opening arguments. And arguing not only to win over the jury in front of him, but also the appellate court that might one day hear an appeal of the case. Those are some of the strategies upon which Thomas Demetrio has relied to build his legendary legal career. Demetrio, partner with Chicago’s Corboy & Demetrio, ranks as one of the most successful trial lawyers not only in Chicago but the nation. He’s earned that status based on the results he’s delivered for his clients. Demetrio earned the first eight-figure compensatory verdict in Illinois and has since acquired more than $1 billion in verdicts and settlements. Even more impressive? All his verdicts have been paid, and Demetrio has never lost an appeal. It’s because of results like these that Demetrio is known as a legendary legal mind. But like many successful lawyers, Demetrio wasn’t entirely sure after he earned his undergraduate degree if a career in law was in his future. After grad- uating from the University of Notre Dame in 1969, Demetrio joined the U.S. Army Reserve and began his basic training in California. Eventually, the Reserve stationed Demetrio with a unit at the former military base at O’Hare Interna- tional Airport. “I was free to go to work if I wanted, but I decided that I wasn’t ready for that,” Demetrio said. “I went to law school to avoid going to work for three more years.” Demetrio enrolled at IIT-Chicago Kent College of Law. While there, he took a course that required him to spend at least two hours a week observing a trial judge. Spending just 120 minutes in the courtroom a week, though? That didn’t satisfy Demetrio. Instead, he sometimes spent as many as 30 hours a week observing judges and lawyers as they cross-examined witnesses, called for ob- jections, issued rulings and delivered passionate closing arguments.
“I became infatuated with trial work,” Demetrio said.
And one of the lawyers who especially impressed Demetrio? Philip Corboy, the founding partner of Chicago law firm Corboy & Demetrio. Demetrio said that Corboy’s courtroom presence, deep understanding of the law and willingness to work tirelessly for his clients set him apart from other attorneys. Demetrio made it his goal to be as fierce of an advocate for his clients as Corboy was for his.
58 JURY VERDICT REPORTER • 2023 ANNUAL TRIAL LAWYER EXCELLENCE AWARDS
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