40 Under Forty 2022

2022 ILLINOIS ATTORNEYS TO WATCH

KRISTA LUZIO

H ow has Krista Luzio managed to cul- tivate such a multifaceted practice with her impressive legal track record? Her ability to integrate and guide a mul- tidisciplinary team of medical profession- als and legal colleagues, paired with her keen eye for the law makes her formida- ble in the courtroom and in her motion practice. Additionally, Luzio has second-chaired four trials to verdict, each resulting in “not guilty” decisions for her clients. These were not easy cases to win, either. In each, the plaintiffs suffered permanent disabilities, with their attorneys asking for $15 million to $20 million at trial. With results like this, it’s easy to see why Luzio has earned so much respect from her peers and trust from her clients. During these cases, Luzio assisted in picking juries, conducted the direct ex- amination of hospital witnesses and pre- sented key defendant experts on liability, causation and damages, said a Judge with the chancery division of the Circuit Court of Cook County. She also conducted cross-examination of key fact witnesses and plaintiffs’ experts. “As a result of her demonstrated legal skill and acumen, Krista became partner during her first year of eligibility, which is rare at Hall Prangle,” the Judge said. “Her civility while still strenuously advo- cating for her clients is something that is also notable.” Aiju Thevatheril, with Chicago’s Swan- son, Martin and Bell, points to a recent case as an example of Luzio’s legal skills. Last year, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Luzio was involved

in a trial with a sympathetic family and plaintiff who at an early age was forced to live in an assisted-living facility because of a debilitating stroke. The lawyers in this three-week trial included several skilled and aggressive ones. Luzio, though, re- mained calm and handled the damages portion of the trial with grace, Thevatheril said. This resulted in a successful result for her hospital client. “She is an asset to her clients, her firm and to the legal community as a whole,” Thevatheril says of Luzio. Her fellow attorneys say that Luzio boasts a strong trial presence, disarm- ing and relatable but also knowledgeable and confident. “Krista is one of the most intelligent lawyers that I have had the privilege of working with,” said Ronitha Maharaj, claims counsel with Zurich North Ameri- ca. “She has a natural gift of understand- ing the medicine and explaining it to lay- persons in a trial setting. She has an innate emotional intelligence that allows her to read the needs of the client in challenging situations and illicit the best results. Krista is a rare combination of brilliance and hu- mility that makes her a tremendous asset to the defense bar. She is a truly a Trojan Horse.” Outside the courtroom, Luzio serves as co-chair of Hall Prangle & Schoonveld’s New Associate Training Program and a member of the Education Committee. She is also active in her community and plays the Euphonium as a member of the Lakeside Pride Band, a Chicago music en- semble created to empower and inspire change through music.

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Krista is one of the most intelligent lawyers”

AGE 39

FIRM Hall Prangle & Schoonveld LLC LAW SCHOOL DePaul University College of Law AREA OF PRACTICE Medical malpractice defense

40 Under Forty 2022 CHICAGO LAWYER & CHICAGO DAILY LAW BULLETIN