Ann Walsh is a trial attorney with the business litigation department. She is the practice group leader for Locke Lord's Product Liability Practice Group and a member of the firm’s Class Action Practice Group. For more than 27 years, Ms. Walsh has practiced in the trial area focusing on product liability and commercial litigation. She also regularly provides client counseling with respect to a variety of commercial disputes.
Ms. Walsh also has defended major manufacturers of a broad variety of products, including automotive, agricultural, construction, consumer, food and beverage, electrical, mining, recreational, chemical, and other products. She has counseled manufacturers with respect to product liability prevention, regulatory compliance and recalls as well as product warnings and labels. She has been involved in representing and counseling major drug manufacturers throughout the country, including manufacturers of brand name, generic and over-the-counter drugs, as well as medical devices. Among other subject matters, she has represented pharmaceutical companies in cases involving drug packaging, adverse experience reporting requirements and warnings.
Ms. Walsh has represented clients in commercial disputes including contract negotiations, contract terminations and warranty disputes.
Ms. Walsh’s experience includes trials and alternative dispute resolutions in a large number of jurisdictions where she acts as lead trial counsel. To date, Ms. Walsh has handled cases in more than 40 states. She also has acted as national, regional and local counsel in nationwide litigation.
Ms. Walsh has spoken at the Defense Research Institute Conference on cost-effective management of discovery.
Ms. Walsh is Chairperson of the firm’s Pro Bono Committee and handles and supervises a variety of pro bono projects and cases. Ms. Walsh was recently awarded a Certificate of Merit by the Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind Kane Legal Clinic.
Education
- J.D., DePaul University College of Law, 1980
- B.A., Economics, University of Illinois, 1977
Bar Admissions
Admitted To Practice
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois Trial Bar
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana
Professional History
Partner in the law firm of Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell LLP
Chairperson, Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell Pro Bono Committee
Professional Affiliations
Member, Chicago Bar Association
Member, Women's Bar Association of Illinois
Member, Defense Research Institute
Member, Industrial Commission Review Board,
appointed by the Governor of the State of Illinois
Community Leadership
Leadership Council, Heartland Alliance
Past President, Western Springs Foundation for Education Excellence
St. John of the Cross, religious education instructor for 14 years