Practice / Specifications:
Howard L. Huntington focuses his practice on commercial litigation. He also has extensive experience in the areas of construction, product liability, professional liability, transportation litigation, toxic torts and civil rights litigation. Mr. Huntington has successfully represented large and mid-market corporations, family-owned businesses, entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and municipalities in a wide variety of civil litigation in both Illinois and Indiana.
In regard to commercial litigation matters, he has litigated breach of contract matters and disputes under the Uniform Commercial Code representing corporate buyers and sellers. He represents businesses in litigation involving claims of failure to pay for goods and services, failure to deliver conforming goods and services, and unfair business practices. He has represented contractors and distributors in construction defect litigation. He also has defended retailers and wholesalers in federal actions alleging false advertising, product disparagement, and other business torts.
Mr. Huntington has defended numerous construction contractors, subcontractors, motor freight companies, hotels, casinos, and retailers in catastrophic injury and wrongful death suits. He appeared before the Indiana Supreme Court for a products matter on behalf of a manufacturer of helicopters. In the employment area, Mr. Huntington has defended municipalities and public entities in Title VII discrimination cases, Section 1983 public employee cases, and employment contract disputes. He argued before the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals and prevailed in an equal protection matter.
Awards/Recognition:
- Named Illinois Super Lawyer, 2016-2024
- Named a Leading Lawyer in Commercial Litigation, 2020 – 2022
- “AV Preeminent” peer review rated by Martindale-Hubbell, reflecting the highest peer recognition for ethical standards and legal ability
- “40 Illinois Attorneys Under 40 to Watch” by Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2012
- Harrison Legal Writing Award (second place) awarded by the Indiana State Bar Association, 2010
- Meritorious Service Award of the Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel, 2019
Education:
- Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology, J.D., 1998
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, B.A., 1995
Bar Admissions:
- Illinois Supreme Court
- Indiana Supreme Court
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois (including the trial bar)
- U.S. District Court, Central District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Indiana
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
Professional and Community Organizations:
- Illinois State Bar Association
- Indiana State Bar Association
- Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel (past Chair of Tort Law Committee)
- Defense Trial Counsel of Indiana
- Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce
- National Eagle Scout Association
Seminars and Publications:
- “Practical Considerations Regarding Conflict of Laws”, presented for Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel (May 2020)
- “Sudden Medical Emergency Defense”, CLM Magazine, a nationwide periodical of the Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (August 2019)
- “Major Differences in Handling Minors’ Claims”, CLM Magazine, a nationwide periodical of the Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (July 2017)
- “Monograph: Beyond HIPAA: Solving the Puzzle of Properly Acquiring Mental Health Records in Litigation”, published in Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel’s IDC Quarterly, First Quarter 2016, Vol. 26, No. 1 (co-author)
- “Monograph: A Primer on Defenses in Section 1983 and Police Liability Civil Actions”, published in Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel’s IDC Quarterly, Fourth Quarter 2015, Vol. 25, No. 4 (co-author)
- “Monograph: Tort Immunity Act”, published in Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel’s IDC Quarterly, First Quarter 2014, Vol. 24, No. 1 (co-author)
- Radio interview regarding copyright litigation on WJOL 1340 AM (August 2013)
- “Primer on American Product Liability Insurance and Law”, presented for the German American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest (April 2012)
- “Dangerous Territory: How the Indian Arts and Crafts Act Can Ruin Your Business”, In-House Defense Quarterly, a nationwide periodical of the Defense Research Institute (Winter 2010)
- “Expanding While Contracting: The Dynamic State of Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress in Indiana”, Res Gestae, the monthly periodical of the Indiana State Bar Association (March 2010)
