Megan O’Connor is a passionate advocate for injured people, especially foster and adoptive youth and their families. Megan’s experience in handling complex issues of law along with her passion for advocacy, has laid the foundation for her to help obtain millions of dollars of settlements and awards. Notably, Megan was second chair in record breaking $45 million dollar verdict for the death of a toddler as the result of social service negligence. Additionally, Megan was second chair in a products liability trial resulting in a $10.7 million verdict and a foster care abuse case that resulted in a $19.55 million settlement. Megan was the lead in obtaining a $6 million default judgment in a case involving a failure to diagnose breast cancer.
Megan O’Connor graduated cum laude with a degree in philosophy from North Central College in Naperville, IL where she was a four-year varsity volleyball player. Megan then attended Loyola University Chicago School of Law, earning her Juris Doctor and a certificate in Advocacy.
During law school, Megan was a Dean’s List student and received a CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Transnational Dispute Resolution. Megan was also twice recognized as a top oral advocate at the National Moot Court Competition for Child Welfare and Adoption Law. This is where Megan found her passion to help foster and adoptive children and families.
Megan’s practice focuses on cases involving foster care and social services negligence, medical malpractice and personal injury.
Presentations / Publications
• “Advocating for Foster Youth,” Presentation for American Association of Justice Conference, July 2018
• “Eyes Wide Open: The Duty of Child Welfare Agencies in Illinois to Disclose,” Trial Journal, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, Winter 2013
Awards & Recognition
• Illinois Super Lawyers Rising Star, 2017-present
• National Law Journal Top 100 Verdicts, 2018: #50 Chicago Trust Company as Administrator of the Estate of Lavandis Hudson v. Lutheran Social Services of Illinois, et al.