41 years experience
Michael J. Charysh received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of Law in Urbana-Champaign in 1984. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from DePaul University in Chicago in 1981, where he graduated first in his class. During law school, Mr. Charysh twice received the College of Law Rickert Award for excellence in public service.
Mr. Charysh is admitted to practice in the State of Illinois, before the United States District Courts for the Northern, Central & Southern Districts of Illinois, Northern District of Indiana, Eastern District of Wisconsin, the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, and the Supreme Court of the United States. He is a member of the Federal Trial Bar in the Northern District of Illinois, and has argued numerous appeals before the Seventh Circuit. Mr. Charysh has also tried cases, pursuant to pro hac admission, in the federal and state courts of New York, the state courts of New Jersey, and the state courts of Tennessee. His additional pro hac admissions include Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Florida, North Carolina, Texas, California, Nevada and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
In the past, Mr. Charysh has prepared the defense of principal defendants in multi-party personal injury and property damage litigation, including the catastrophic explosions at the Union Oil refinery in Lemont, Illinois, and the Quantum Chemical facility in Morris, Illinois.
Mr. Charysh’s trial experience spans 41 years and over 70 jury verdicts including:
Representing the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority in the case of Borkenhagen v. Illinois State Toll Highway Authority. This matter was tried in state court in Chicago. The plaintiff suffered traumatic amputation of his left leg above the knee as a result of an automobile accident. He sued the Toll Authority for negligent road design and construction. In spite of a $9.1 million dollar demand, Mr. Charysh was able to obtain a verdict of no liability for the tollway.
Representing H&M International Transportation in the case of Maggio v. H&M International. This matter was also tried in state court in Chicago. The plaintiff claimed total disability as a result of a rail yard accident involving the collision of his tractor trailer and an overhead crane. After plaintiff asked the jury for $10 million dollars in damages, it returned a verdict in favor of Mr. Charysh’s client, H&M.
Representing Hollymatic Corporation in the case of Hollymatic v. Berardi Enterprises. This matter was also tried in state court in Chicago. In this commercial dispute, Hollymatic claimed breach of its exclusive dealership agreement and damages resulting from the sale of ”non genuine” counterfeit parts. Mr Charysh was able to recover over $2 million in lost profits and fees for his client from its present and former dealers.
Representing Mace Iron Works, Inc. in the case of Haugh v. Mace Iron Works, Inc. This matter was also tried in state court in Chicago. Plaintiff, a journeyman ironworker, received a double-level lumbar fusion, knee replacement and hip replacement, allegedly because he was forced to jump from a truck to avoid being crushed by an unstable steel column loaded by the defendant. Plaintiff incurred over $500,000 in medical bills and over $1,000,000 in lost wages. He asked the jury for $23,000,000. After a reduction of the award by 50% for comparative fault, the jury awarded only $187,500, against Mace Iron Works.
Currently, Mr. Charysh serves as outside general counsel for the Ukrainian Catholic Diocese of Chicago, advising them on issues involving tort liability, insurance coverage, employment, and multiple real estate holdings.
Mr. Charysh has written and lectured on issues including risk management for product manufacturers, recent trends in product liability litigation, and the Illinois Tort Reform Act. He is a member of the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel and served for five years on the Board of Directors of the Ukrainian American Bar Association, a national organization of attorneys of Ukrainian descent. He is fluent in Ukrainian and has a working knowledge of German and Russian.
