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Overview

Illise Schulman is a seasoned trial lawyer with more than 30 years of experience defending clients in complex, high-exposure litigation. She represents businesses, insurers, professionals, and public entities across a broad range of matters, including complex torts and casualty, real estate and property damage, construction defect, products liability, transportation and business disputes.  

Known for her tough advocacy and commitment to her clients, Illise has successfully guided hundreds of cases through all stages of litigation—from early case assessment and dispositive motion practice through trial and appeal,including securing defense verdicts and key dispositive rulings. In addition to her litigation practice, Illise is an experienced mediator who values clear communication and collaboration to prevent and resolve disputes efficiently. 

Illise joined MG+M from her role as senior counsel at another national litigation defense firm. Throughout her career, she has built a diverse litigation practice spanning both in-house and private firm roles, including serving as staff counsel for a national insurer and practicing at AV-rated defense firms. She has handled high-exposure matters involving professional negligence and personal injury claims, with earlier experience representing clients in real estate and business disputes, as well as intellectual property and employment matters. This background gives her a well-rounded perspective on risk, coverage, and litigation strategy across industries and forums.

Outside of her practice, Illise enjoys hiking, gardening, traveling, and spending time with her family.

Experience

  • Secured a complete defense judgment at trial in a high-exposure negligence case arising from residential fumigation, defeating all claims by excluding plaintiff’s experts and establishing lack of causation.  

  • Obtained summary judgment in a high-exposure liability case, defeating a $500,000 claim by exposing fatal flaws in the plaintiff’s causation theory and securing dismissal of all claims.

Education

  • University of California, Berkeley, School of Law, JD
  • University of Michigan, BA

Bar Admissions

  • California