The following letter to the editor by ITLA President Timothy J. Cavanagh was published in the Champaign New-Gazette on July 5, 2025.

New law adds protection

We appreciate the News-Gazette’s recent attention to Senate Bill 328 but write to address misconceptions promoted by its opponents.

When a person from Champaign visits another state, whether for a work assignment or other purpose, we expect that businesses there will take steps to protect the individual from exposure to toxic substances.

To My Fellow Members of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association,
 
It is an honor to serve as the 72nd President of ITLA.
 
In my view, ITLA stands as the preeminent trial lawyers’ organization in the country.  Every lawyer in Illinois who represents injury victims owes it to their clients and future clients to be part of an organization that is on the frontline in defending their access to justice and their constitutional right to a jury trial.  Thank you for being part of ITLA.
 

The following letter to the editor by ITLA President Timothy J. Cavanagh was published on Crain's Chicago Business website June 26, 2025.

This bill protects Illinoisans - not trial lawyers

Illinois contractors in today’s economy commonly dispatch workers to perform tasks at multiple sites in other states. If during those visits an employee has repeated and prolonged exposure to highly toxic asbestos — and gets seriously ill or dies — reasonable people surely agree that all the companies responsible for failing to warn or protect that person should be held accountable.

That’s the principle behind Senate Bill 328, a measure approved by the General Assembly and heading to the desk of Gov. JB Pritzker. This legislation would help an individual seeking justice in an Illinois court ensure that all the responsible parties are included as defendants in the case, regardless of where they are headquartered.

The Illinois Trial Lawyers Association (ITLA) is pleased to announce the recipients of the William J. Harte Amicus Volunteer Award for 2025. These individuals are recognized for their dedicated volunteer service and professional efforts on behalf of the ITLA Amicus Curiae Committee in preparing legal briefs before the Illinois Supreme and Appellate Courts over the past year.

Randy L. Gori will be posthumously awarded the prestigious Leonard M. Ring Lifetime Achievement Award at the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association’s (ITLA) annual convention on Friday, June 13, 2025. The convention will be held at the Sheraton Grand in Chicago, Illinois.

Timothy J. Cavanagh, founder of Cavanagh Sorich Law Group in Chicago, Illinois, will be installed as the 72nd president of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association (ITLA) on Friday, June 13, 2025, at its annual convention at the Sheraton Grand in Chicago, Illinois.

The following letter by ITLA President Sara M. Salger was published in the Chicago Tribune on June 3, 2025.

Corporations’ bottom line

Those trying to tip the scales of justice against individuals in favor of wealthy and powerful businesses have long cited — and mischaracterized — the McDonald’s hot coffee case to support their push to close courthouse doors to individuals hurt due to no fault of their own.

Robert Tyson continued that practice in his column (“Sequel to 1994 McDonald’s hot coffee case is now $47 million more expensive, May 27th”) by failing to share that the $2.9 million dollar verdict awarded to a woman who suffered horrific injuries after scalding hot coffee spilled on her lap, was later reduced to $640,000.

The myth of the McDonald’s case suggests the restaurant giant was victimized by an unscrupulous plaintiff. But the truth is that the case proves the system works: the trial judge reduced the damages awarded by the jury and the parties later settled for a confidential amount.

Reflections on My Final Month as ITLA President

As my final month as President of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association comes to a close, I want to take a moment to reflect on this past year and express my deepest gratitude to those who have supported me along the way. Leading this organization has been an absolute honor — an experience I will always cherish and remain profoundly grateful for

The following letter by ITLA President Sara M. Salger was published in the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin for Law Day.

Advocate for justice

It is an honor to be the 71st President of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association and only the third woman to have filled this position. Serving as ITLA president fills me with immense pride and gratitude. It’s a privilege to lead an organization dedicated to upholding justice and advocating for those who need it most.

Leading one of the most prestigious trial lawyer associations, my goal is to encourage young lawyers, especially women, to get involved. I never fathomed I would have the privilege to serve as this group’s president when I attended my first ITLA seminar many years ago, but it all started with just showing up.

The following letter to the editor by ITLA President Sara M. Salger was published in the The Daily Herald on April 25, 2024.

Be proud that state protects consumers

The state of Illinois stands as a protector of individual freedom and rights, a place where somebody injured on the job or by a defective consumer product may go to court and know they have a fair chance to win just compensation.

That’s by design. Laws in our state are carefully written to ensure a level playing field so even big and powerful corporations are held accountable when their negligent hurt people and, in some cases, prevent them from earning a living.