MARTIN D. GOULDOf Counsel

Martin D. Gould is a trial attorney representing individuals and classes of victims in wrongful death, toxic exposure, medical malpractice, auto and trucking accidents, construction and other workplace accidents, product defect, and sexual abuse cases across the country.

Martin has played a key role in securing numerous record-breaking multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements on behalf of clients who have been harmed as a result of wrongful conduct. In 2017, Martin played a key role in securing a $44.7 million verdict at trial against the City of Chicago in a case where an off-duty police officer shot a construction worker in the head leaving him paralyzed; this was the largest verdict in Illinois and one of the largest in the country for a police misconduct case. In 2019, Martin and his team secured a $21.337 million verdict at trial on behalf of the family of a mother of five young children who was killed in a car accident. Later that same year, Martin played a key role in securing a $12.35 million settlement at the beginning of trial on behalf of the family of a young mother of three children in a medical malpractice case; the settlement was the largest recorded in Illinois for a misdiagnosis of breast cancer case.

In addition to obtaining significant recoveries for his clients, Martin takes on many cases where he believes he can change policies or the law to protect future generations. In that regard, Martin has represented and currently represents dozens of survivors of rape and childhood sexual abuse in many of the highest profile abuse cases in the country. Some of those cases include claims against the Boy Scouts of America, the Boys & Girls Club, University of Michigan (abuse involving Dr. Robert Anderson), professional sports teams, the Estate of Jeffrey Epstein, private and public schools, elite private boarding schools, orphanages, foster care programs, hospitals, mental health facilities, Fortune 500 companies, and countless religious institutions and related entities (ranging from the Catholic Church, religious orders, and the YMCA, to Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormon Church, and the Royal Rangers Youth Organization). He has helped shed light on systemic abuse and cover-ups while securing millions of dollars in settlements on behalf of survivors, including a recent $2.1 million settlement on behalf of 7-year-old abused by a Church camp counselor. Understanding the lasting impact child abuse can have on someone, Martin has also taken on school bullying cases as well, securing a $250,000 verdict in a school bullying case in Woodford County, Illinois, the largest bullying verdict ever reported in Illinois.

In helping manage a mass tort litigation practice, Martin currently represents hundreds of individuals whose homes were destroyed when after years of neglect, the Edenville and Sanford dams near Midland, Michigan failed, devastating the surrounding community. He also represents hundreds of individuals injured by consumption of and/or exposure to harmful products, including exposure to ethylene oxide emissions; RoundUp herbicide exposure; Johnson & Johnson talc baby powder; and individuals who took prescription and over-the-counter Zantac/ranitidine medication, which was recalled by the FDA due to defects in its design potentially leading to cancer.

Martin regularly appears in the media to discuss cases, including appearances on Fox 32 and ABC 7 to discuss the toxic exposure involving Sterigenics, interviews with the Associated Press, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, and the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin to discuss clergy abuse lawsuits and settlements, and appearances on the Legal Broadcasting Network to discuss a federal class action lawsuit against a large municipality.

Currently, Martin holds leadership positions within numerous legal organizations, including serving on the Advisory Board of the National Crime Victims Bar Association (NCVBA), with membership on NCVBA’s Clergy Abuse Committee and the Child Abuse Section. He is also on the Junior Board of Child USA, the leading national nonprofit fighting for the civil rights of children a fair legal system that allows survivors of child abuse to seek justice in the courts. He also holds leadership positions with the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association and Chicago Bar Association (CBA), serving as the CBA’s Vice Chair of the YLS and former Chair of the Torts Litigation Committee.

Martin graduated toward the top of his class from Chicago-Kent College of Law, cum laude, and was a published member of the Chicago-Kent Law Review. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Northwestern University, where he was also a four-year member of the Northwestern Varsity Wrestling Team. The team placed 4th in the NCAAs Martin’s sophomore year in 2007.

Education

J.D., Chicago-Kent College of Law, cum laude

• Chicago-Kent Law Review
• Legal Writing Teaching Assistant
• CALI Awards for receiving the highest grade in the class for:
  • Legal Writing I, I & III, Illinois Evidence, Pre-Trial Civil Litigation, and Conflicts of Law

B.A., Political Science, Minor in Business Institutions, Northwestern University

• Northwestern Leadership Certificate Program
• Recipient of the Northwestern Alumni Association’s Scholastic Achievement Award (2009) for having the highest GPA on the Northwestern Varsity Wrestling Team

PUBLICATIONS

• Illinois Bar Journal, Obtaining Social Media Evidence Through Discovery, December 2017.
• Illinois Bar Journal, Social Media Evidence & Ethical Considerations, September 2017.
• Illinois Bar Journal, The Admissibility of Social Media Evidence in Illinois, January 2017.
• Decalogue Tablets, “Close to Home: Your Unfriendly, Neighborhood Carcingen” (Sterigenics-Ethylene Oxide Exposure Cases), Summer 2019.
• Trial Journal, “School Bullying Cases: Holding School Districts and Officials Accountable in Illinois,” Winter 2018.
• Decalogue Tablets, “Top 10 things Associates Should Know about Preparing for Trial,” February 2017.
• Chicago-Kent Law Review, The Conflict Between Forum-Selection Clauses and Consumer Protection Laws: Why Illinois Got It Right In Jane Doe v. Match.com, Spring 2015.
• Decalogue Tablets, How Technology is Driving Much Needed Police Reforms, 2016 Fall Edition
• Decalogue Tablets, “Legality of President Trump ‘Sending in the Feds’ to Chicago,” February 2017.

MEDIA APPEARANCES & INTERVIEWS

• The New York Times, “How 2 Industries Stymied Justice for Young Lead Paint Victims,” Story by Ellen Grabler, March 29, 2022.
• Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, “12.35 million settlement for the estate of a 37-year-old woman who died after a late breast cancer diagnosis,” February 11, 2020.
• Gerst, Ellen, “[$4.5 Million] Settlement reached for Illinois trucker hit on I-80,” Casper Star Tribune (Wyoming), September 19, 2022.
• Chicago Tribune, “Archdiocese of Chicago reaches $2.1 million settlement in lawsuit claiming 7-year-old girl abused at church camp,” Story by Javonte Anderson, April 21, 2020.
• U.S. News & World Report, “Chicago Archdiocese Settles Suit in 2015 Abuse of 7-Year-Old,” Story by Associated Press team, April 21, 2020.
• Fox 32 Chicago, “Chicago Archdiocese to pay $1.75M settlement to woman who says she was abused by priest in 1980s,” Interview with Adam Zielinski, August 5, 2022.
• The Washington Post / AP, “Chicago Archdiocese settles sexual abuse suit for $880,000,” Interview with Don Babwin, June 23, 2021.
• Chicago Sun-Times, “$880K settlement in abuse case involving ex-Southwest Side priest,” Interview with Sam Keller, June 23, 2021.
• WSBT 22, “Local mother’s lawsuit claims lead paint gave son permanent brain damage,” Report by Max Lewis, November 3, 2020.
• Press Conference with South Bend Tribune and ABC 7, “Civil Lawsuit Details Lead Poisoning and Brain Damage of Chicago Toddler and Exposure to Pregnant Mother and Infant by HomeWorks Corporation in South Bend, Indiana,” November 2, 2020.
• Fox 32 Chicago, “Sterigenics Pollution Gets Attention of Illinois Lawmakers,” Interview on Morning News, February 21, 2019.
• Burr Ridge Patch, “Willowbrook Families Retain Law Firm After Report of Cancer Risk,” Press Conference with Andrea Earnest, September 1, 2018.
• ABC 7 Eyewitness News, “Willowbrook residents rally, demand gas-emitting company shut down,” Interview with Cate Cauguiran, August 31, 2018.
• Chicago Tribune, “$1.4 million settlement reached between Joliet Diocese, 3 men who allege priest sexually abused them in ’80s,” Interview with Matthew Walberg, August 30, 2018.
• Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, “$1.4M settlement in suit over Joliet priest abuse,” September 5, 2018.
• WGN News at 9 pm, “Jury awards family $250k after boy with autism beaten on school bus,” Interview with Tom Negovan, March 27, 2018.
• Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, Interview with David Thomas, “Bullied student wins $250,000 in damages,” March 28, 2018.
• WBEZ News, Interview with Chip Mitchell, “City Settles Suit in Incident That Put CPD Commander On Trial,” May 4, 2018.
• ABC 7 Eyewitness News at 10 p.m., Special Investigative Report with John Garcia, “Man Speaks Out After Finding Camera Hidden In Smoke Detector In Bucktown Apartment,” January 22, 2015.
• Legal Broadcasting Network Interview with Cecil Caulkins, “Lawsuit Challenges Chicago PD’s Stop and Frisk Policy; Attorney Martin Gould Explains,” April 29, 2015.
• RT America Live Interview with Anya Parampil, “ACLU Win Over Chicago Police Department’s ‘Stop & Frisk’ [Policies] is Start of Police Reform,” August 18, 2015.
• WGN News at 5 p.m., “Legality of President Trump ‘Sending in the Feds’ to Chicago,” Investigative Report with Ben Bradley, January 25, 2017.
• BuzzFeed News, Interview with Reporter Tyler Kingdale, “A 19-Year-Old Killed Herself, and the Family Says Her School Could’ve Saved Her,” February 4, 2017.
• The Chadron Record, Interview with Record Editor Kerri Rempp, “Parents hope [Title IX wrongful death] lawsuit [against University] helps others,” February 7, 2017.
• Chicago Sun-Times, Interview with Marni Pyke, “Despite Subpoena, Key Video Erased in Metra Station Beating,” November 19, 2017.
• NBC News (Channel 5), Interview with Dick Johnson, “Man Beaten, Pepper Sprayed by Metra Cops Gets $250K from Rail Agency,” December 12, 2017.
• Daily Herald, Interview with Marni Pyke, “Metra settles for $225,000 in beating case,” December 21, 2017.

AWARDS/HONORS

• Named one of the The Best Lawyers in America© by U.S. News and World Report, 2023
• Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, 2021-2023
• Rising Star by Illinois Super Lawyers®, 2016-2021
• Emerging Lawyer by Law Bulletin Publishing Company, 2017-2021
• Selected to “Top 40 Attorneys under 40” by The National Trial Lawyers, 2020, 2021
• Top 10 Motor Vehicle Accident Verdicts in Illinois in the year 2019, Carreon v. City of Chicago.
• Top 10 Verdicts in Illinois in the year 2017, LaPorta v. City of Chicago.

LEGAL ACTIVITIES & LEADERSHIP

• Speaker, “Establishing Liability and Damages in Child Sexual Abuse cases,” National Center for Victims of Crime (NCVBA) Annual Conference (St. Louis, Missouri), October 8, 2022.
• Speaker, “Winning with Experts in Sexual Abuse Cases involving Children, Adults and the Elderly: PTSD, Repressed Memory, and Competency and Credibility issues,” Law 360 Damages Seminar: Go Big or Go Home (Las Vegas, Nevada), August 29, 2022.
• Speaker, “Civil Justice Seminar and Training for Crime Victim Advocates” (audience: prosecutors, law enforcement, social workers, victim assistance coordinators, and other professionals supporting survivors of crime and abuse), National Center for Victims of Crime (NCVBA), July 28, 2022.
• Moderator, “Litigating in the Age of Covid: the Expert Perspective on Medical Malpractice, Work Accident, and Mass Torts Cases,” Chicago Bar Association, March 24, 2021.
• Moderator, “Litigating the High Stakes Medical Malpractice Case,” Chicago Bar Association, March 12, 2020.
• Panelist, “Mid-Michigan Dam Failure Disaster: Legal Landscape,” Town Hall (Midland County, Michigan), June 4, 2020.
• Speaker, “Know Your Options Small Business Forum: Insurance Claims for Lost Revenue, Government Loans and Grants, and other Legal Options in the Face of Coronavirus,” City of Chicago (25th Ward), May 7, 2020.
• Speaker, “Know Your Options Small Business Webinar: Business Interruption Insurance Claims,” Chambers of Commerce for Evanston, Skokie, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, and the Greater Wheeling Area (Illinois), May 28, 2020.
• Speaker, “Working Up the Hospital Apparent Agency Case: A Fight Worth Fighting,” Illinois Trial Lawyers Association (ITLA), February 21, 2020.
• Speaker, “The Basics of Motions to Dismiss,” Chicago Bar Association, September 28, 2022.
• Speaker, “An injured worker comes to your office. What do you do? Key pointers to litigating the Worker’s Comp Third-Party Crossover Case,” Chicago Bar Association, December 18, 2019.
• Moderator, Chicago’s “Top 40 Attorneys Under 40” Practice Tips, Chicago Bar Association, June 19, 2019.
• Speaker, “Key Takeaways from High-Speed Police Chase Verdict,” American Association for Justice (AAJ), June 5, 2019.
• Moderator, “Maximizing and Attacking Damages in Personal Injury Actions,” Chicago Bar Association, March 14, 2019.
• Speaker, “Medical Malpractice of Non-Employee Doctors: Establishing Agency for Hospital Liability,” CLE, Chicago Bar Association, May 29, 2018.
• AAJ 2015 Annual Convention, Created “Overcoming Juror Bias in Police Misconduct Cases” Presentation with Antonio M. Romanucci, Montreal, Canada, July 13, 2015.
• Speaker, “Introduction to Personal Injury Law,” Chicago-Kent College of Law, October 20, 2015.
• Speaker, Using Digital Evidence at Trial, Illinois State Bar Association, March 11, 2020.
• Speaker, “Dr. Martin Luther King Forum: Civil Rights and the Chicago Police Department,” A Professional Responsibilities CLE Event, Chicago-Kent College of Law, January 21, 2016.
• Speaker, “Evaluating Bullying/Hazing and Police Misconduct Cases,” A Litigation CLE, Romanucci & Blandin, LLC, February 21, 2017.
• Speaker, “Section 1983: Litigating and Vetting Police Misconduct Cases,” CLE, Chicago Bar Association, February 23, 2017.
• Speaker, “Use of Social Media Evidence in Civil and Criminal cases,” CLE, Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission (ARDC), May 3, 2017.
• Speaker, “Obtaining and Using Social Media Evidence at Trial,” Continuing Legal Education, Illinois State Bar Association, November 17, 2017.
• Speaker, “Anatomy of a $44.7 Million Police Misconduct Verdict,” NPAP – National Lawyers Guild, January 11, 2018.
• Contributor, “Legal Aspects of Malaysia Flight 370,” Chicago Bar Association, April 17, 2014.
• Moderator, “U.S. Senator Dick Durbin: The Justice in Policing Act of 2020,” Chicago Bar Association, July 17, 2020.
• Moderator, “Resolutions to Reform the Chicago Police Department: the Differences Between CPAC and GAPA,” Chicago Bar Association, September 8, 2020.

LEGAL ACTIVITIES & LEADERSHIP

• National Crime Victims Bar Association (NCVBA)
  • Advisory Board Member, October 2022-Present
  • Clergy Abuse Committee, November 2020-Present
  • Child Sexual Abuse Section, November 2020-Present
  • Young Lawyer’s Council, November 2020-Present
• Chicago Bar Association (CBA)
  • Chair of Torts Litigation Committee, June 2017- Present
  • Second Vice Chair, YLS, June 2021 – Present
  • Members Services Manager, YLS, June 2020 – June 2021
  • Project Coordinator, YLS, June 2018 – June 2020
  • Legislative Liaison, October 2017-June 2018
• Illinois Trial Lawyers Association (ITLA)
  • Chair of Young Lawyers Division, June 2018 – Present
  • Board Member of Young Lawyers Division, June 2015-June 2018
• Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA)
  • Civil Practice & Procedure Section Council, 2020-2021
• American Association for Justice (AAJ)
  • Sexual Abuse Litigation Group, 2021-Present
  • Professional Negligence Section, 2020-Present
• Decalogue Society of Lawyers
  • Board of Managers, June 2016-Present
  • Co-Chair of Young Lawyers Division, 2015-2021
• Chicago Kent College of Law
  • Board Member of Young Alumni Board, 2015-2020

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

• American Association for Justice (AAJ)
• Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA)
• Chicago Bar Association (CBA)
• National Crime Victims Bar Association (NCVBA)
• Child USA
• Illinois Trial Lawyers Association (ITLA)
• Chicago-Kent Young Alumni Council
• Advocates Society
• Decalogue Society of Lawyers
• JUF, Young Lawyer’s Division
• Public Justice (PJ)

JURISDICTIONS ADMITTED TO PRACTICE

• Illinois
• Northern District of Illinois
• Central District of Illinois
• Eastern District of Wisconsin
• Pro Hac Vice, New York
• Pro Hac Vice, Florida
• Pro Hac Vice, Indiana
• Pro Hac Vice, Michigan
• Pro Hac Vice, Missouri
• Pro Hac Vice, Arizona
• Pro Hac Vice, Northern District of New York
• Pro Hac Vice, Middle District of Florida
• Pro Hac Vice, Western District of Louisiana
• Pro Hac Vice, Northern District of New Jersey
• Pro Hac Vice, District Court of Utah
• Pro Hac Vice, District Court of Minnesota
• Pro Hac Vice, Northern District of Indiana
• Pro Hac Vice, District of Nebraska
• Pro Hac Vice, District of Wyoming
• Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals

RECENT VERDICTS & SETTLEMENTS

LaPorta v. City of Chicago
Co-counsel
Construction worker shot in the head causing paralysis
Verdict: $44.7 million*
*Largest verdict in Illinois for a police misconduct case

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Carreon v. City of Chicago
Co-counsel
Mother of five children killed in car accident
Verdict: $21.337 million

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Client v. Chicago-Area Hospital, Radiologists, Breast Surgeon and OBGYN
Co-Counsel
Breast cancer misdiagnosis spanning two years
Settlement: $12.35 million*
*Largest medical malpractice settlement ever reported in Illinois for a misdiagnosis of breast cancer case

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Client v. Chicago-Area Hospital and Neurosurgeon
Co-Counsel
Medical malpractice settlement involving failure to properly treat cauda equina syndrome resulting in partial paralysis
Settlement: $2.875 million

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Jane Doe v. Archdiocese of Chicago
Lead counsel
Clergy abuse
Settlement: $2.1 million

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Jane Doe v. GPT
Co-counsel
Two girls abused by school bus driver
Settlement: $2 million

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Wdziekonski v. S Saft & Company
Co-counsel
Motor vehicle accident case in Florida
Settlement: $1.75 million

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John Doe v. Diocese of Joliet
Lead counsel
Clergy abuse
Settlement: $1.4 million

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John Doe v. Private U.S. Boarding School
Lead counsel
Sexual abuse by teacher
Settlement: $1.2 million*
*One of the largest settlements reported involving male victim and female perpetrator

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Barker v. Restrepo and Ruiz
Client fell through plexiglass ceiling on rooftop
Settlement: $1.175 million

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Estate of John Brown v. Walworth County, et. al.
Co-counsel
Police shot and killed teenager locked in his room
Settlement: $1.1 million

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Estate of Norton v. Roosevelt City, et. al.
Co-counsel
Settlement: Confidential

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Larios v. Chadron State College
Co-Lead counsel
Title IX case involving wrongful death of student who committed suicide on campus where school failed respond to ongoing verbal and physical abuse by boyfriend in the dorms
Settlement: $900,000

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John Doe A and B v. Archdiocese of Chicago (St. Bede’s the Venerable parish)
Lead counsel
Clergy abuse where two altar boys fondled by priest
Settlement: $880,000

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Client v. Bus Company and Abuser
Lead counsel
75 year old client with Alzheimer’s sexually abused by bus driver
Settlement: $865,000

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John Doe v. Archdiocese of Chicago (Mt. Carmel High School)
Lead counsel
Clergy abuse where client fondled by priest
Settlement: $330,000

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Kessler v. Walker (Indiana)
Lead counsel
Settlement: $300,000 (vehicle full policy limits)

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Liggett v. El-Paso Gridley Community School District, et. al.
Lead counsel
Verdict: $250,000*
*Largest verdict reported in Illinois for a school bullying case

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Mack v. Metra, et. al.
Lead counsel
Settlement: $225,000