Timothy S. Tomasik
PartnerTimothy Tomasik has handled some of the most complex and high-profile cases at Clifford Law Offices, including the scaffolding collapse at the John Hancock Center where several people were injured or killed that settled for $75.2 million. He worked round-the-clock on the World Trade Center property damage litigation surrounding the tragic 9/11 air crashes that settled in 2011 for $1.2 billion. He handled the case involving the crash of the private jet that killed the younger son of NBC Sports Chairman, Dick Ebersol, where a chartered Challenger jet crashed moments after take-off in November, 2004. His elder son dragged his dad out of the fiery plane. National Transportation Safety Board reports indicated the plane's wings were not de-iced in the freezing weather. He was part of the legal team that worked on the high profile trial of internationally acclaimed violinist Rachel Barton which resulted in a $29.6 million verdict.
Tim is not afraid to take on corporate giants in order to see that justice is done. Another high-profile case which Tim handled involved the toxic alcohol poisoning death of a Northwestern University freshman. His parents have started the Red Watch Band program which makes students more aware of alcohol poisoning at universities across the country, including now Northwestern. Tim also brought an action against the Chicago Cubs on behalf of the mother of a 21-year-old man who was killed when a car wash/storage unit owned and operated by the Chicago Cubs collapsed on him during a storm. He suffered severe head, neck and spine injuries and died eight days later. The dilapidated structure had been earmarked for demolition. That case settled for $2.5 million. He was counsel with Robert Clifford representing a medical doctor who was paralyzed as a result of negligently administered spinal anesthesia while he was a patient. The two-week trial resulted in a $13 million verdict that was affirmed by the Illinois Supreme Court on several important issues related to trial practice and agency. He worked on dozens of cases involving hemophiliacs who have been infected with the HIV/AIDs virus from tainted blood which resulted in a successful confidential settlement. He tried a case on behalf of a woman severely injured in an auto collision with a Commonwealth Edison truck where he and Bob Clifford obtained a $14 million verdict.
Tim has been recognized for his excellence in trial working including being inducted as a Fellow into the International Society of Barristers, an honor society of outstanding trial lawyers chosen by their peers on the basis of excellence and integrity in advocacy. He has been named a Super Lawyer and a Leading Lawyer as well as being named one of Top 40 Attorneys Under 40 Years Old by the Law Bulletin Publishing Company of Chicago. In 2009, Tim was awarded the William J. White Award of Excellence from the Chicago Bar Association for his work as Chair of the Judicial Evaluation Committee. He also serves as Chair of the American Bar Association Section of Litigation, Aviation Litigation Committee, and Trial Evidence Sub-Committee. In 1999, Tim was named the American Legion Expert Litigator for his outstanding service as a gang prosecutor in the Chicago community as well for his excellence as a civil litigator.
Tim was an Assistant State's Attorney, culminating his eight-year criminal trial career in the Bureau of Special Prosecutions. He handled numerous high profile capital cases and sexual assault cases during his tenure there. He has translated his finely-honed criminal trial skills to the civil courtroom. He is a frequent speaker across the country on a number of topics and serves on the faculty of the prestigious University of Virginia Institute of Trial Advocacy where he is an instructor at its annual week-long program for lawyers and law students.


