Leah Nolan
Leah brings her leadership skills, creative drive, and a keen eye for detail to her law practice.
- Second-chaired a medical practice trial less than one year into practice, receiving a favorable outcome
- Graduated summa cum laude from Northern Illinois University College of Law
Leah Nolan
Attorney in Chicago, IL
Leah won her first case before she stepped foot into law school. After a foray into the courtroom as a pro se litigant, she knew she wanted to be an attorney. Loving the challenge of complex litigation, she has focused her practice on medical malpractice, casualty/tort litigation, Section 1983, toxic tort, defamation, and nursing home litigation. Less than one year into her practice, she second-chaired a trial in a medical malpractice case. She successfully defended a pain management doctor against a $2.5 million medical malpractice verdict, receiving a favorable outcome which was affirmed on appeal. Leah handles all aspects of defense litigation and has successfully argued numerous complex motions, including summary judgment motions, defending clients from millions of dollars in settlement demands.
She excelled at Northern Illinois College of Law and graduated summa cum laude, ranked second in her class. While in school, she won numerous awards for her written and oral advocacy skills and counseling and leadership abilities. In her free time, she enjoys dining out and spending time with her family.
Practices
Credentials
Education
J.D., Northern Illinois University, summa cum laude
Licensure(s) and Admission(s)
State Courts of Illinois
United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois
United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
Professional Affiliations
Illinois Defense Counsel
Practice Development Committee, Vice-Chair
Community Involvement
Northern Illinois University Law Review
Symposium Editor (Spring 2020 – 2021)
Northern Illinois University Moot Court Society
Associate Justice (Spring 2020 – 2021)
Northern Illinois University Women’s Law Caucus (September 2018 – 2020)
President (May 2019-2020)
PAWS Chicago Professional Board
Presentations/Publications
Presentation
“Animals & Environmentalism: A Legal Perspective in the Wake of a Global Pandemic,” Moderator, NIU Law Review Symposium (2021)
Publication
“Return of the Verdict and Entry of Judgment,” chapter in Civil Practice: Trying the Case, Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (2026)
“Agency Law in the Hospital Setting: Evolution, Developments and Practice Pointers,” Illinois Defense Counsel Quarterly Monograph (2023)
“The IME and Petitioner’s Pursuit of Medical Care,” Below the Red Line - Heyl Royster Workers' Compensation Newsletter (2023)
"The Statute of Frauds," chapter in Contract Law, Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (2023)
Updates
- Bayer, Buecker & Nolan Secure Victory in Defamation Case
- Roth and Nolan Secure Summary Judgment Victory for Client in Fourteenth Amendment Case
- Roth, Nolan, and Drinkwine Team Up to Defend a Physician and His Group at a Jury Trial and Then On Appeal
- Buecker and Nolan to Participate as Fundraising Team in PAWS Chicago 5k
- Heyl Royster's Leah Nolan Secures Victory in Recent Case, Award Substantially Reduced on Appeal
- Buecker and Nolan Join PAWS Chicago Professional Board
- Karl Bayer and Leah Nolan Secure Favorable Ruling on Summary Judgment Motion, Successfully Defending Five Defendants Against $1.25 Million Settlement Demand
- Nolan Appointed as Vice Chair of IDC Practice Development Committee
- Nolan Contributes Chapter to IICLE® Contract Law 2023 Edition
- Nolan and Bayer Victorious at Oral Argument on a Motion for Summary Judgment
Public Profile
Leah won her first case before she stepped foot into law school. After a foray into the courtroom as a pro se litigant, she knew she wanted to be an attorney. Loving the challenge of complex litigation, she has focused her practice on medical malpractice, casualty/tort litigation, Section 1983, toxic tort, defamation, and nursing home litigation. Less than one year into her practice, she second-chaired a trial in a medical malpractice case. She successfully defended a pain management doctor against a $2.5 million medical malpractice verdict, receiving a favorable outcome which was affirmed on appeal. Leah handles all aspects of defense litigation and has successfully argued numerous complex motions, including summary judgment motions, defending clients from millions of dollars in settlement demands.
She excelled at Northern Illinois College of Law and graduated summa cum laude, ranked second in her class. While in school, she won numerous awards for her written and oral advocacy skills and counseling and leadership abilities. In her free time, she enjoys dining out and spending time with her family.
