Martin Morrissey

Credentials

Education

J.D., Southern Illinois University

B.A., University of Illinois, magna cum laude

Licensure(s) and Admission(s)

State Courts of Illinois

United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois

Professional Affiliations

American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)

Local Chapter President, Former

National Board of Representatives, Former

Defense Research Institute

Illinois Defense Counsel

Illinois State Bar Association

Madison County Bar Association

Community Involvement

Legatus, Member

St. Boniface Catholic Church

Results

Appeals:

• Maple v. Gustafson, 151 Ill. 2d 445, 603 N.E.2d 508 (1992) re-affirmed for Illinois trial courts the different legal standards of review to apply to jury verdicts in deciding motions for new trials versus motions for judgment notwithstanding the verdict or directed verdicts. The Maple case remains one of the most cited decisions in civil trial practice in the State of Illinois.
• Wakeford v. Rodehouse Restaurants of Missouri, Inc., 154 Ill. 2d 543, 610 N.E.2d 77 (1992) established the criteria for disclosure of experts and their opinions for civil practitioners in Illinois until Supreme Court Rule 220 was repealed and Rule 213 revised thereafter.
• Jackson v. Seib, 372 Ill. App. 3d 1061, 866 N.E.2d 663 (5th Dist. 2007) was a central decision in the appellate courts concerning the relevancy and admissibility of post-accident vehicular photographs in vehicular negligence cases.
• In Peach v. McGovern, 2019 IL 123156, 129 N.E.3d 1249, Marty was the primary author of the amicus brief presented by the Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel (IDC). In this case, the Illinois Supreme Court reaffirmed the crucial role of the jury in determining injury causation and credibility issues of parties and witnesses at trial while re-establishing the relevance and admissibility of post-accident vehicle photographs in vehicular negligence cases.

Trials:

• Alcohol Impairment; Personal Injury Auto Defense; Contributory Negligence Found; Punitive Damages Rejected
• Wrongful Death; Vehicular Negligence; Contributory Negligence; No Liability
• Auto-Bicycle Crash Defense; Minor; Fractured Knee Cap; No Liability
• Jury Rejects Fraud Claim and Punitive Damages Levelled Against Insurance Carrier
• Judge Rejects Illinois Consumer Fraud Act Claim Directed Against Insurance Carrier
• Premises Liability Defense; Paintball Eye Injury; Vision Loss; No Liability

Presentations/Publications

Presentations

“Masters in Trial,” Oklahoma Chapter of American Board of Trial Advocates (2010)

“Masters in Trial,” Moderator, Missouri Southern Illinois Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates (2008)

Publications

“The Appellate Court Administers a Healthy Dose of Common Sense to the Vehicle Photograph Admissibility Issue,” Illinois Defense Counsel Quarterly (2009)

Awards/Recognition

• Leading Lawyer by Law Bulletin Media℠ – Civil Injury Trial Defense, 2014-2023
• American Board of Trial Advocates, Advocate
• Rated AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rating by Martindale-Hubbell®
• Super Lawyer by Super Lawyers®

Public Profile

Our esteemed colleague, Martin Morrissey, retired effective December 31, 2024. Marty was an invaluable member of the Heyl Royster team, and we thank him for his many years of hard work and dedication to our clients. We wish him all the best for his retirement.

If you have any questions concerning Marty's retirement, please reach out to Tobin Taylor at ttaylor@heylroyster.com. Tobin will be able to provide you with any information you may need.