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DONALD A. MURDAY

SENIOR COUNSEL

 

Don Murday, one of the founding members of Chittenden, Murday & Novotny LLC, has been a litigator for over thirty years. As trial counsel, he is licensed to practice in Illinois and Indiana, and has appeared in State and Federal Courts throughout the country. Don has extensive trial and appellate experience, in both State and Federal courts. Through his involvement with all aspects of issues confronting financial services and life/health/disability companies, Don has become a valuable resource for his clients and able to represent them in various matters across the litigation spectrum.

Education/Admissions

EDUCATION

  • Mr. Murday graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1982 (B.B.A. Management), where he was elected President of the Student Body his senior year.
  • He received his J.D. from Catholic University School of Law in 1985.

ADMISSIONS

Mr. Murday is admitted to practice in Illinois, Indiana, the United States District Courts for the Northern, Central and Southern Districts of Illinois (member of Trial Bar since 1993), Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana, Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan, Eastern and Western Districts of Wisconsin, Northern District of Texas, and Northern District of Ohio. He is also admitted to practice before the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court.

Practice Highlights

Don has spearheaded the defense of large national class actions, been appointed coordinating national counsel overseeing a number of lawsuits filed throughout the country, and served as lead counsel in both trials and arbitrations in Illinois and other jurisdictions throughout the country. As a result, he has extensive experience in claims involving securities fraud, ERISA, RICO, life, health and disability, real estate, agent fraud and misconduct, and other general commercial and business-related matters.

Don also has extensive experience in employment-related matters as they arise with his clients. He has successfully defended clients before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Illinois Department of Human Rights, and in federal court for claims alleging violation of Title VII, ADEA, and ADA. He has also represented clients in claims for wrongful or retaliatory discharge and breach of employment contracts. Don continues to counsel his clients in all employment-related aspects in an effort to prevent issues from arising.

In addition to successfully acting as lead trial counsel before the bench or a jury, Don has extensive appellate experience, arguing numerous times before the Illinois Appellate Court and United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.

Understanding his obligation to assist those who may not be able to afford legal representation, Don actively assists in many Firm pro bono matters. As a result of his efforts, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois recognized Don and presented him with the Walter J. Cummings Award in 2004. The Chicago Chapter of the Federal Bar Association annually presents this Award to an attorney for excellence in pro bono service.

Professional Affiliations

  • Catholic Charities Diocese of Joliet – Board of Directors
  • Association of Life Insurance Counsel (former member of Board of Governors)
  • Defense Research Institute
  • Indiana State Bar Association
  • Notre Dame Club of Joliet – President
  • Green Garden Township – Township Supervisor (2020-Present)
  • Green Garden Township Planning Commission – Chairperson (2011-2020)
  • South Suburban PADS – Team Leader at Homeless Shelter

Speaking Engagements

  • Speaker, “The Intersection of Insurable Interest, Incontestability and Unjust Enrichment”, Sammons Financial Group, Texas 2015
  • Speaker, “Show Me the Money – Name Them, Find Them, Pay Them!”, ECC, New York 2014
  • Speaker, “The State of the Civil Union and Other Recent Developments in Life Insurance Litigation”, ALIC, Florida 2013
  • Speaker, “Annuities in the Eleventh Hour – Enhanced Regulatory Scrutiny in Sales to Seniors”, ECC, New York 2010
  • Speaker, “E-Discovery: Addressing The Information Logjam Without Getting Rolled”, ALIC, California 2009
  • Speaker, “Managing Electronically Stored Information While Retaining Your Sanity: Strategies for Minimizing Costs and Maximizing Efficiency”, ALIC, Virginia 2008
  • Speaker, “Current Issues in E-Discovery: Avoiding Potential Pitfalls”, Eastern Claims Conference, New York 2007
  • Speaker, Edison’s Legacy for Litigation: The Evolution of Electronic Evidence and Discovery”, Greater Philadelphia Claim Association, Pennsylvania 2006
  • Speaker, “Edison’s Legacy for Litigation: The Evolution of Electronic Evidence and Discovery”, Eastern Claims Conference, New York 2006
  • Speaker, “Multi-jurisdiction”, ACC Indiana Chapter 2005
  • Speaker, “Edison’s Legacy for Litigation: The Evolution of Electronic Evidence and Discovery”, ALIC, West Virginia 2005
  • Speaker, “Broker/Dealer: Red Flag Review”, National Society of Compliance Professionals, Illinois 2004
  • Speaker, “Working with Legal Counsel/File Maintenance”, Midwest Claims Conference, Illinois 1999
  • Speaker, “Issues Confronting the Brokerage Industry”, Heath Insurance Brokers Conference, Texas 1999

Professional Awards

Walter J. Cummings Award, 2004
The Chicago Chapter of the Federal Bar Association annually presents this award to an attorney for excellence in pro bono service as nominated alternately by the judges of the Seventh Circuit and the Northern District. The award is given in the name of longtime chapter board member and judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, the late Walter J. Cummings.