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Overview

Pamela Budreau focuses her practice on trials involving complex business litigation matters, including toxic torts, asbestos, personal injury, product liability, maritime and commercial litigation. 

Pamela has many years of experience in deposition cross-examination, settlement negotiations, management of the Cook County asbestos docket, management of the Milwaukee County asbestos docket and trial settings for the St. Louis County asbestos docket. She represents products and equipment manufacturers in numerous product liability cases and trials in the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and the Cook, St. Clair and Madison Counties of Illinois that involve the application of maritime law and alleged exposure to asbestos in the US Navy. 

Before entering private practice, she was the lead Assistant State’s Attorney of the misdemeanor division, felony drug court special prosecution unit, and mental health court at the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office. She was a prosecutor for the State of Illinois in multiple criminal divisions and practiced family law when working for her former firm. She also represented multiple persons in Order of Protection hearings as a prosecutor in the family law arena.

Recognition

  • Best Lawyers in America, Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions—Defendants, 2024
  • The American Lawyer, Midwest Trailblazer, 2022
  • Leading Lawyers, Civil Defense Law (2018–2019), Toxic Torts Defense Law, 2022
  • Crain's Chicago Business, Notable Gen X Leaders, 2021
  • Daily Herald Business Ledger, Top Women Lawyers In Chicago, 2019
  • Chicago Lawyer, Top Civil Defense Lawyers, 2019
  • Chicago Lawyer, Top Women Lawyers, 2019
  • Illinois Leading Lawyers, Emerging Lawyer, 2018–2019
  • Daily Herald Business Ledger, Top Women Lawyers In Chicago, 2018
  • Chicago Lawyer, Top Civil Defense Lawyers, 2018
  • Chicago Lawyer, Top Women Lawyers, 2018

Involvement

  • National Forum for Environmental & Toxic Tort Issues, Board of Directors, 2018–present
  • Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel, Chair, Young Lawyers Association, 2016–2017
  • Illinois State Bar Association
  • Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association, member
  • Madison County Bar Association, Co-Chair, Young Lawyers Association, 2008–2010
  • Moot Court, Trial Division Team, 2003–2004
  • Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity, President, 2003–2004
  • Illinois State University Mock Trial Team, Award for Best Attorney, 2001

Education

  • Southern Illinois University School of Law, JD
  • Illinois State University, BS

Bar Admissions

  • Illinois
  • Missouri
  • Wisconsin

Court Admissions

  • US District Court, Northern District of Illinois