Tobin is the Managing Partner of the firm’s Chicago office and previously has served as the firm’s Hiring Partner. He handles a wide range of civil litigation for businesses, corporations and insurance companies. In the Circuit Court of Cook County, IL, he actively leads the defense of claims alleging asbestos exposure or other toxic torts arising from environmental or occupational contact, including product liability and premises liability claims. His experience includes the defense of asbestos, silica, manganese/welding rods, benzene, diacetyl and vinyl chloride lawsuits in state and federal courts. His primary practice venue is Cook County, IL, where he regularly serves as lead counsel in the defense and management of complex, multi-party asbestos cases. Tobin’s clients include insulation manufacturers, brake and friction material manufacturers, gasket manufacturers, equipment manufacturers, asbestos mining companies, product distributors, public utilities, premises owners, and construction contractors.
Tobin’s varied litigation experience includes defending employers, municipalities, and government entities before administrative agencies and in state and federal courts in actions alleging employment discrimination and civil rights violations. He has also defended numerous healthcare professionals in cases alleging medical malpractice. Earlier in his career, Tobin tried many personal injury cases involving motor vehicle accidents or premises liability.
Tobin received a Bachelor of Science, magna cum laude, from Bradley University, and his J.D. from Washington University Law School. He began his career by clerking in the firm’s Peoria office while he was in law school. He became a partner in the firm in 2006.
Publications
“The Attorney-Client Relationship,” chapter in Illinois Civil Practice: Opening the Case, Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (2009, 2015) – Download Article
Public Speaking
“A Judicial Roundtable Discussion on Mass Toxic Tort Litigation”
Moderator, Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel (“IDC”) Spring Symposium 2017
“Bare Metal and Replacement Parts in Asbestos Cases”
HarrisMartin’s Midwest Asbestos Litigation Conference, St. Louis, Missouri 2014
“Concealed Carry: How Township Government Will Be Affected”
Illinois Township Attorneys Association 12th Annual Educational Seminar 2014
“The Effect of the Illinois Concealed Carry Act on Employers”
Heyl Royster Seminar/Webinar, Peoria 2013
“General Practice Seminar – Trial”
Peoria County Bar Association 2010
“Personal Injury Practice Update 2008 – Liability Update”
Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education 2008
Professional Recognition
Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent
Selected as a Leading Lawyer in Illinois for Toxic Torts Defense Law. Only five percent of lawyers in the state are named as Leading Lawyers.
Named to the 2011 Illinois Super Lawyers Rising Stars list. The Super Lawyers Rising Stars selection process is based on peer recognition and professional achievement. Only 2.5 percent of Illinois lawyers under the age of 40 or who have been practicing 10 years or less earn this designation.
Professional Associations
Illinois Equal Justice Foundation (Board of Directors)
The Chicago Bar Association
Defense Research Institute
Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel
American Counsel Association
American Bar Association – Toxic Tort and Environmental Law and Litigation Sections
Bar Association of the Central and Southern Federal Districts of Illinois
Illinois State Bar Association (past steering committee member of Employment Law Section)
Peoria County Bar Association (past Co-Chair of Young Lawyer Committee)
Court Admissions
State Courts of Illinois
United States District Court, Central District of Illinois
United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois
United States District Court, Northern District of Indiana
United States District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, MDL 875 Asbestos Litigation
Community Involvement
Chicago Bar Foundation, Investing in Justice, Campaign Leadership Team
Greater Chicago Food Depository, Lunchtime to End Hunger, Campaign Team Leader
United Way Pillars Society, past member
American Cancer Society, past committee board member
Children’s Hospital of Illinois, past development board member