Douglas L. Prochnow

Partner

T: (312) 201-2526
F: (312) 416-4666
prochnow@wildman.com

Practice Areas:

Litigation
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Antitrust
Class Action
Commercial Litigation
Environmental
Product Liability
Toxic Tort

Education:

Northwestern University School of Law, J.D. 1977, Winner of the William Jennings Bryan Award, Adlai E. Stevenson, Award and Lowden-Wigmore Prize

University of Nebraska, B.A. 1974, high distinction

Douglas L. Prochnow

Douglas Prochnow is a partner in the Litigation Department of Wildman Harrold. An aggressive trial lawyer, Doug represents both plaintiffs and defendants in jury trials involving commercial and health care-related claims, indemnity actions, insurance and reinsurance disputes, professional negligence matters, toxic torts, and product liability suits. He has tried over 25 cases to jury verdict and has argued more than 40 appeals across the country. He also tries numerous commercial matters in arbitrations under the American Arbitration Association or other industry-developed procedures. Through his judicious management of discovery and successful pretrial negotiations, Doug has shielded companies from adverse verdicts and substantial settlements, either saving or recovering for his clients hundreds of millions of dollars. His effective trial strategies have resulted in precedent-setting results that have been recognized by the National Law Journal and the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin as top jury verdicts. A skilled litigator, he has consistently tried and won cases against Chicago’s top personal injury plaintiffs’ lawyers. Doug has also had considerable success reducing substantial jury verdicts in commercial litigation matters at the trial and appellate levels after joining the defense team following the entry of a judgment.

Representative Experience:

As lead defense lawyer in a highly publicized professional negligence action against one of Chicago’s best-known personal injury plaintiffs’ lawyers, Doug won a defense verdict in a $20 million case, which was recognized by the National Law Journal as one of its top 15 jury verdicts
Successfully defended a major healthcare insurance company in a multi-million dollar arbitration matter, resulting in a decision, which was later confirmed in federal court and was a total defeat of the plaintiff’s claim
Successfully defended a fronting company accused of fraud and mismanagement by its London reinsurers in a series of multi-million dollar disputes arising from a commercial automobile insurance program; the result saved the fronting company millions of dollars, as the reinsurers were denied any damages from the fronting company and recovered only against the managing general agent and London broker
Represented a psychotherapist before the Illinois Supreme Court in a precedent-setting case where, for the first time, the court recognized a cause of action for the negligent infliction of emotional distress without an accompanying physical injury or impact; this decision remains the leading Illinois case on the subject and one of the more influential decisions on this subject throughout the United States
Highly successful defense as national coordinating counsel for a series of related companies in asbestos litigation
Successfully prosecuted a legal malpractice case, obtaining a million dollar jury verdict, which was later affirmed by the appellate court
Successfully represented an insurance company in a series of prosecutions arising from a failed investor surety bond program, resulting in an arbitration awarding millions of dollars in recoveries from the reinsurers and reinsurance intermediary; the arbitration was particularly significant because it was the first time in history that the respondent in an arbitration had been defaulted for its failure to abide by the panel’s decision on indemnity, and the federal district court had affirmed the result
Successfully defended an agricultural cooperative in a suit involving significant Uniform Commercial Code questions about clauses granting a right of first refusal

Publications And Presentations:

Speaker, seminar for clients of Uptown National Bank on captive insurance companies.
Speaker, seminars for store managers of Marshall Field & Co., adjustors for Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, and examiners for Toplis & Harding on effective risk management.
Speaker, seminar for Ravenswood Hospital’s Department of Surgery and members of their residency program on Medicare fraud and abuse claims.
Author, “Obtaining Medical Evidence,” IICLE, 1984, 1987 (Supp.), 1990, 1992 (Supp.), 1993 (Supp.), 1997, 2000 (Supp.).

Professional Associations:

American Bar Association (Member, Litigation and Health Law Sections)

Illinois State Bar Association

Chicago Bar Association

Defense Research Institute

Association of Trial Lawyers of America

The Society of Trial Lawyers

American Health Lawyers Association

Special Assistant Corporation Counsel for City of Chicago

Adjunct Professor, Northwestern University School of Law, 2005 to present (Introduction to Trial Advocacy)

President, Chicago Board for Prevent Child Abuse America

Who's Who in the World

Who’s Who in America

Who’s Who in the Midwest

Who’s Who in American Law

Who’s Who Among Emerging Leaders

Bar Admissions:

U.S. Supreme Court

Supreme Court of Illinois

U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit

U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (Trial Bar member)

U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York

U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

Circuit Courts of Florida, New Jersey, Michigan, and Wisconsin

Michigan Court of Appeals

Personal Information:

Since 2004, Doug has served as president of the Chicago Board of Prevent Child Abuse America, helping the organization raise more than $1 million. He was also elected vice president of the inaugural Board of Directors for the landmark residences of the Palmolive Building.

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