Margaret P. Battersby Black

With years of experience and an exceptional grasp of the intricate nuances inherent in medical malpractice litigation, Margaret has emerged as an undeniable force in the field. Throughout her career, she has passionately advocated for families who have been affected by the devastating consequences of medical negligence during childbirth. Margaret’s track record of successful outcomes speaks for itself, as she has consistently secured substantial compensation for her clients, including a recent $20 million birth injury verdict.

Margaret has also made a significant impact in the field of nursing home litigation. Her dedication and experience led her to secure the largest award ever recorded under the state’s Nursing Home Care Act. In this groundbreaking $4.1 million dollar verdict, Margaret represented Dolores Trendel, an 85-year-old woman whose life tragically ended due to a stroke caused by the negligent cessation of medication.

However, Margaret’s commitment to her client’s case did not stop there. She successfully advocated to the appellate court for the addition of legal fees and costs, amounting to approximately one-third of the verdict. As a result, the final case award reached an extraordinary $6 million. With each case she takes on, Margaret prioritizes her clients above all else. She believes that under the Nursing Home Care Act, vulnerable older adults deserve access to justice, and separating fees and awards is necessary to ensure they receive the full compensation they deserve.

In addition to her work in medical malpractice and nursing home litigation, Margaret represents victims of sports hazing. She currently represents several former student-athletes in the hazing scandal involving Northwestern University.

Margaret is well regarded by her clients and peers alike, and was honored by the Law Bulletin Publishing Company as one of the 2011 “40 Illinois Attorneys Under Forty to Watch.” This award is given to 40 outstanding attorneys throughout the state for their achievements on behalf of their clients, their communities and the legal profession. In 2015 Margaret was honored by Chicago-Kent Law School as Outstanding Young Alumna of the year. This award recognizes alumni who have made significant contributions to the law school and the legal community.

Margaret was a founding member and is the inaugural chair of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Women’s Caucus for the term that runs through 2018. She is active in the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois, the American Constitution Society, the American Association for Justice, the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association and the Illinois State Bar Association, and previously served as the ACS Chicago Chapter’s Law Firm Outreach Coordinator. She regularly judges law school moot court competitions and hosts students in externships.