David C. Lechner, Memberdlechner@falkmetz.com
Area of Expertise
- Construction Industry Litigation and Arbitration
- Engineer and Architect Defense
- Major Loss Litigation involving Defense and Subrogation
- Commercial Litigation
- Insurance Coverage and Defense Litigation
Duties at Falk Metz LLC
Dave is a first chair trial and appellate counsel in a broad range of construction, commercial, first and third party insurance coverage, product liability, and subrogation cases. His experience includes jury and bench trials, appeals and construction industry arbitrations. His practice includes a significant amount of work on behalf of engineers, architects, owners and contractors in the construction industry. Mr. Lechner has extensive experience in coordination of scene investigations involving fires, explosions, collapse and other major building or construction site occurrences. He is experienced in development of property damage and business interruption valuations in conjunction with adjusters, accountants and other experts. Dave has obtained numerous summary judgments, dismissals, and verdicts in defense cases as well as multi-million dollar subrogation recoveries on behalf of his clients. Before starting his private law career Dave was an Inspector for the ATF.
Experience
- 1972-1977: Inspector, Enforcement Division, U.S. Treasury Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms
- 1977-1984: Associate, Epton, Mullin & Druth, Ltd.
- 1984-1985: Associate, Conklin & Adler, Ltd.
- 1986-2002: Shareholder, Bixby, Lechner & Potratz, P.C.; Bixby Law Office, P.C.
Professional Associations
- Chicago Bar Association
- Iowa State Bar Association
- Beverly Woods Homeowner's Association
Education
- Loyola University Chicago School of Law, Chicago, Illinois, 1977 J.D.
- St. Benedict's College, Kansas, 1971 B.A.
Honors: Summa Cum Laude
Bar Admissions
- Iowa, 1977
- Illinois, 1977
- U.S.N.D. Illinois, Trial Bar 1982
Published Opinions & Significant Cases
- Harris Trust & Savings Bank v. Illinois Fair Plan Association, 194 Ill. App. 3d 761, 551 N.E. 2d 378 (1st Dist. 1990)
- Chrysler First Commercial Corporation v. State Farm Fire & Casualty Co., 269 Ill. App.3d 318, 646 N.E. 2d 647 (2nd Dist. 1995)
- Chrysler First Commercial Corporation v. State Farm Fire & Casualty Co., No. 2-97-0756, Rule 23 Order (2nd Dist. Ill. App. Ct. 1998)
- Federal Insurance Co. a/s/o Suburban Trust v. Village of Westmont, No. 2-97-1297, Rule 23 Order (2nd Dist. Ill. App. Ct. 1998)
- Federal Insurance Co. a/s/o Suburban Trust v. Village of Westmont, 271 Ill. App.3d 892, 649 N.E.2d 986 (2nd Dist. 1995)
- Purolator Security Inc. v. Wells Fargo Alarm Service, 141 Ill. App.3d 1106, 491 N.E.2d 161 (1st Dist. 1986)
- State Farm Fire & Casualty Co. v. Mann, 172 Ill. App. 3d 86, 526 N.E.2d 389 (1st. Dist. 1988)
- General Electric Co., Arkwright-Boston Mutual Ins. Co. v. American Polystyrene Co., 2-87-0698, No. 86 L 389, Lake County, IL (2nd Dist. Ill. App. Ct. 1989)
- Home Insurance Co. v. Lorelei Restaurant, 83 Ill. App. 3d 1083, 404 N.E.2d 895 (1st Dist. 1980)
- City of Peru v. Stanley Consultants, Inc., No. 00-C-1179 (U.S. Dist. Court, N.D. IL, Hon. James B. Zagel)
- State Farm Fire & Casualty Co. a/s/o Rehak v. Commonwealth Edison Co., No. 99 L 4235, Cook County, IL
- VFW Post No. 9545 & Commercial Union v. U.S. Construction et. al., No 95 L 15808, Will County, IL
- Acorn Plastics, Inc. v. Aurora National Bank, 84 LKA 0582 Consol. With 84 LKA 0422 Kane Co. IL
- Raab Mechanical v. Century Builders, Inc., 95 CH 122 DuPage County, I