Margaret Battersby Black – Chicago Daily Law Bulletin’s “40 Under 40,” Class of 2011

Levin & Perconti’s Margaret Battersby Black was named to the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin’s 40 Under 40 List in 2011. 40 Under 40 is a highly selective honor process that recognizes outstanding attorneys from across Illinois. Since then, she has posted a series of high-profile, professional achievements that we wish to recognize.

The 39-year-old plaintiff’s attorney, who is also the parent of two young children alongside her husband Jeff, joined Levin & Perconti as a law clerk in 2006, was promoted to associate attorney in 2008 and named Partner in 2014. Margaret has since led a run of successful personal injury cases, as well as notable settlements involving falls, pressure sores and medication errors on behalf of individuals and families in lawsuits related to nursing home abuse and negligence, including but not limited to:

• $17.7 million medical malpractice settlement
• $9 million birth injury settlement
• $7.5 million (Illinois Record Jones Act Settlement)
• $7 million wrongful death jury verdict
• $6 million medical negligence settlement
• $4.1 million (record-setting Illinois nursing home jury verdict on behalf of an 85-year-old woman injured in a nursing home when her medications were mismanaged)
• $3.6 million medical malpractice settlement for the death of a 26-year-old
• $3.3 million hospital fall case settlement
• $1.55 million medical malpractice settlement
• $1.175 million assisted living negligence settlement

Thus far in 2019, Margaret has sat first chair in 20 of Levin & Perconti’s 58 cases — the most by any lawyer according to the recent Jury Verdict Reporter rankings. In addition, she supported 24 of the firm’s nursing home cases. She was also included on the 2018 List of Crain’s Custom Media’s Chicago’s Notable Women Lawyers and has been integral to the ongoing success of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association’s women’s caucus.

In an October 2019 interview published by Chicago Lawyer, Margaret thanked founding partners, Steve Levin and John Perconti and the many wonderful mentors who have supported her career goals and continued growth over the years.

Margaret is well regarded by her clients and peers alike. This fact serves as the leading reason she was honored by the Law Bulletin Publishing Company in 2011 as one of the 40 Illinois Attorneys Under Forty to Watch for achievements on behalf of her clients, her communities and the legal profession.