Denean K. Sturino

Overview

Denean Sturino brings a deep bench of proven skill to resolving challenging and complex product litigation. Whether large or small, fast or slow, there is no product Denean cannot defend. With her keen sense of engineering, she brings a cultivated ability to translate sophisticated concepts into streamlined talking points that resonate with judges, juries, and opposing counsel alike. Her analytical precision enables her to dismantle intricate expert testimony, creating compelling narratives that showcase her clients' products favorably before the courts.

As manifest in numerous favorable jury verdicts, Denean's passion for the clients she feels privileged to serve sets her apart from other litigators today. Her product liability experience touches on almost every aspect of any client’s products. She has successfully litigated claims involving product liability, breach of warranty, consumer fraud, deceptive trade practices, premises liability, contribution, trademark infringement, trade dress, privacy rights, and patent infringement. Her strategic approach to discovery regularly positions cases for early resolution, often saving clients significant costs.

Denean's extensive in-the-trenches litigation and trial acumen has established her as a go-to partner for even the most difficult lawsuits. She has resolved single and multi-plaintiff claims, mass and class actions, and multi-district litigations (MDLs) involving directors and officers, employment, breach of fiduciary duty, and commercial litigation claims. Notably, Denean has also been called upon to monitor difficult defense cases where the firm oversees long- and short-term litigation strategy. Her reputation for thorough preparation and incisive cross-examination has made her formidable in courtrooms nationwide, with opposing counsel often adjusting settlement positions after witnessing her preliminary arguments.

What distinguishes Denean as a top-shelf advocate is her combination of intellectual rigor and client commitment. Her courtroom presence commands respect, while her innovative case management approaches turn seemingly insurmountable challenges into victories and cost savings. Clients partner with Denean for both her legal acuity and tactical vision. In a field where excellence is expected, Denean consistently delivers the best possible outcomes, making her not just a lawyer but a decisive advantage when the stakes are at their highest.

Experience

• Argued Razor v. Hyundai Motor America before the Illinois Supreme Court
• Presented several cases for opinion before the Illinois Appellate Court
• Defense verdict in Evans v. Hyundai Motor America
• Defense verdict in Phelps v. American Isuzu
• Defense verdict in Kral v. Hyundai Motor America
• Defense verdict in Alverez v. American Isuzu, successfully upheld on appeal
• Zero-dollar settlement for research and development company accused of misrepresentations and fraud in the sale of private offering shares
• Brokered nuisance value of $25,000 settlement in a directors and officers case where the demand was $3.5M
• Tried patent infringement case to a successful verdict

Professional

• Arbitrator, Cook County Mandatory Arbitration Program
• Former Member, Chicago Bar Association
• Member, CLM
• Member, Defense Research Institute
• Member, United States District for the Northern District of Illinois Trial Bar
• Member, Wisconsin Bar Association