Hon. Henry R. Simmons, Jr. (Ret.) is a skilled certified mediator and arbitrator recognized for his insightful and practical resolution of a wide range of personal injury and business/ commercial disputes.  Judge Simmons is also experienced in the area of medical and legal malpractice, premises liability, employment law, insurance and real estate matters.

ADR Experience and Qualifications

• 19 year judicial career culminating with the last 6 years as a Trial Judge assigned to the Law Division and Law Motion Call. 13 years as a felony Trial Judge in the Criminal Division. While assigned to the Law Division Judge Simmons achieved an extraordinary success rate in settlements as well as presiding over numerous complex trials in all areas of law.

• 12 year legal career in the Cook County State’s Attorneys’ Office in the following assignments: felony Trial Division, Juvenile Court, Felony Review, Consumer Fraud Unit (supervisor) and Appellate Division.

Successful resolution of the following types of cases:

• Personal Injury
• Business/Commercial: Attorney Fee Disputes, Construction Disputes, Commercial Disputes, Partnership Disputes
• Medical Malpractice
• Premises Liability
• Employment Law: Discrimination, Wrongful Termination
• Insurance: Auto Liability
• Complex Discovery
• Estate Disputes
• Multi Party Disputes
• Real Estate

Representative Cases

• State of Illinois v. Vulcan materials Co.: Commercial litigation, complex and longstanding suit involving mining company allegedly damaging US Route 66. Multifaceted legal issues surrounding coverage, negligence, punitive damages and compensatory damages.

• Centerpoint Capital Funds v. Centerpoint Properties: Commercial case involving partnership dispute over leasing and sale of expansive warehouse. Contract clause interpretation and application as well.

• Ryan Owen v. Nirali J. Ghia MD.; Elmhurst Memorial Hospital: Medical negligence birth case (brain damage) regarding timely C-section .Multiple issues of standard of care, agency and economic damages resolved.

• Efrain Ortiz v. Cato Karabegovic: Automobile accident, settled.

• Nickya Grabin v. Sears Roebuck, Leopardo Co .et al: Construction site accident with multiple parties and complicated supervision fact pattern. Moreover, intricate coverage concerns addressed.

• Sakellariadis v. Campbell: Appellate published opinion affirming trial court's use of unique verdict form relating to joint tortfeasors and whether they should be jointly and severally liable for damages. Ruling supports court’s decision that Contribution Act did not apply to case at bar.

• Marguerite Williams v. Rush-Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center et al: Appellate published opinion affirming trial court's determination of the percentages of dependency allotted to surviving spouse and surviving minor child.

• Rafael Gonzalez v. Second Federal Savings and Loan Association:  Appellate published opinion affirming trial court's decision after bench trial involving conversion and breach of fiduciary duty. Also, decision awarding prejudgment interest upheld.

Honors, Memberships and Professional Activities

• Appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court to the Committee on Illinois Pattern Jury Instructions in Criminal Case, 1994-2004

• American Legion Award of Excellence Post #808

• State’s Attorneys’ Recognition of Service Award

• HighSight Organization volunteer, 2006-2008

• Chicago Kent College of Law Extern Program, 2007-present

• Circuit Court Extern Program, 2007- present

• Mediation 40 hour Certification

• Lawyers’ Assistance Program- Trained Intervener

• Panelist- Judges Symposium/Settlement Negotiations a Law Bulletin Seminar Series

• Chicago Bar Association

• Illinois State Bar Association

• Moderator - The Business of Medical Malpractice Liability, CBA CLE September 2011

Bar Admissions

• Illinois Supreme Court-  1980
• Indiana Supreme Court- 1981
• United States District Court- Northern District of Illinois
• United States District Court - Southern District of Indiana

Background and Education                                    

• Certified Mediator – 2010
• DePaul University Law School – 1980
• Purdue University, B.S. Economics – 1977
• Mount Carmel High School - 1973