40 Under Forty 2022

2022 ILLINOIS ATTORNEYS TO WATCH

MONICA BURKOTH

M onica Burkoth, despite her young age, has already established a strong track record of earning winning results while defending municipalities, law enforcement officers and security personnel in civil rights, class action and prison litigation cases. How strong of a record? Burkoth has brought more than 45 jury trials to ver- dict, including serving on the trial team that secured a defense verdict in a wrong- ful death case against the City of that stemmed from an officer-involved shoot- ing. In that case, the decedent’s estate sought damages of up to $25 million. And that is only one example. Burkoth has already notched several victories in high-profile cases and is known through- out the city as one of the fiercest advo- cates for her clients. No one outworks Burkoth, and no one has a better under- standing and knowledge of the law. “Monica is a tremendous trial attorney, who has a unique ability to understand the law to meet the needs of her clients and win cases,” said Theresa Carney, with Rock Fusco Connelly LLC. “She has successfully defended cases in both state and federal court and has an excellent record in ob- taining favorable jury verdicts, dismissals and summary judgment rulings.” Results like these are why Burkoth’s clients keep coming back to her, and why her peers recognize this young attorney as one of the top municipal law specialists in the city.

“I have had an opportunity to watch Monica try multiple cases, most recently in federal court. Her demeanor is engag- ing and extremely likable,” said Allyson West, attorney with Chicago’s Hale & Monico. “When you watch her, you can tell that the jury not only respects her but believes her. She is a passionate advocate for her client.” Burkoth is not only a great trial attor- ney but a skilled and persuasive writer as well. She has successfully obtained sum- mary judgment on behalf of her clients in a variety of different cases throughout her career. Burkoth has also helped earn favorable and early resolution of a num- ber of cases, including a class action law- suit filed against the County by detainees at the Cook County Jail. “Monica is a zealous advocate on behalf of her clients,” said Greta Powell, attorney with Smith Blake Hill. “She is passionate about her practice area. Monica is a nat- ural in the courtroom. She knows the law and can connect with the jury in a mean- ingful way. This combination is powerful and makes her a strong advocate on be- half of her clients.” In addition to being a dynamic attor- ney, Burkoth redefines the definition of work-life balance. A mother to two boys under the age of two years old, Burkoth manages to make it look easy. She hopes to show her children that they too can live their lives with both passion and purpose.

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Monica is a tremendous trial attorney”

AGE 35

FIRM Johnson and Bell

LAW SCHOOL University of Illinois Chicago School of Law AREA OF PRACTICE Municipal liability, class action

40 Under Forty 2022 CHICAGO LAWYER & CHICAGO DAILY LAW BULLETIN