We are pleased to announce that Tressler attorney Margaret Firnstein Gebhardt successfully defended her client against 13 plaintiffs in a strip mall shooting. Judge Rohm from DuPage County, Illinois, granted all Motions for Summary Judgment filed against 13 Plaintiffs (12 personal injury and one wrongful death case). On June 18, 2023, the Plaintiffs sustained injuries when a shooting took place in the parking lot of a Willowbrook, IL strip mall. The incident occurred during a Juneteenth celebration attended by a large crowd.

The Court agreed that her client, BCD Liquors, a mere tenant in the strip mall, had no business-invitee relationship with eight of the 13 defendants, which could have given rise to any duty of care owed to people attending the celebration. Regarding the five Plaintiffs, the Court agreed that even if there was some special relationship between BCD Liquors and the plaintiffs at some point earlier in the evening, BCD Liquors had no right to control the activities occurring in the parking lot owned and managed by the landlord. Additionally, the Court ruled that the shooting event was not foreseeable to BCD Liquors.   

Congratulations to Margaret on a successful win for her client! 

About Margaret Firnstein Gebhardt

Margaret Firnstein Gebhardt is a partner in Tressler’s Litigation Practice Group in our Chicago office. Margaret isn’t afraid of trying cases; she has been protecting the interests of business owners in and out of the courtroom for more than 15 years. She enjoys researching and marshaling evidence to advocate for a party, and is apt to recognize when a case should be considered for early resolution.

About Tressler LLP

Headquartered in Chicago, with ten offices located in six states, Tressler LLP is a national law firm comprised primarily of attorneys who devote their practice to the representation of the insurance industry in coverage analysis and resolution, litigation, underwriting consultation, product development, claims management, and reinsurance.

In addition, Tressler has one of the most experienced and multi-faceted government law practices in Illinois, and has attorneys who represent clients in commercial litigation, defense litigation, corporate transactions, employment law and litigation, intellectual property, and condominium and common interest community association law.

For more information, please visit www.tresslerllp.com.