Michael Reda

As the head of HeplerBroom’s 24-hour Emergency Response Team, Michael Reda knows what it takes to defend commercial trucking companies and their drivers. His calm presence helps diffuse the adrenaline that can be present at accident sites, and his ability to quickly gather the right investigators and accident reconstruction experts to the scene can be crucial in crafting a defense. He’s also experienced in handling the variety of claims plaintiffs' attorneys will make, encompassing everything from last-mile delivery to vehicle infotainment system data and negligent, hiring, training, and supervision claims.

Mr. Reda has over 40 years of successful experience in tort litigation. He has tried scores of civil jury trials in state and federal courts in Illinois and Missouri representing insured and self-insured entities, including cases covering:

• Catastrophic trucking accidents and transportation litigation
• Aviation accidents
• Claims against municipal and state governments
• Contractor liability
• Construction litigation
• Civil rights actions
• Professional liability (doctors and health care providers, pharmacists, architects, engineers, attorneys, and other professionals)

He has argued cases before state and federal appellate courts as well as the Illinois Supreme Court.

In addition to his litigation work, Mr. Reda is a certified mediator and is actively involved in alternative dispute resolution, particularly in cases involving trucking matters.

He is a passionate Notre Dame football fan and enjoys landscaping and yard work as well as refinishing antique wooden furniture.

Education

• Saint Louis University School of Law, J.D., 1982
• University of Notre Dame, B.A. in Government and International Studies, 1978

Admissions & Affiliations

• Illinois
• Missouri
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit
• U.S District Courts for the
  • Eastern District of Missouri
  • Western District of Missouri
  • Central District of Illinois
  • Southern District of Illinois

Honors & Awards

• Illinois Leading Lawyer (2003-2024)

News

Events & Speaking Engagements

• “Defense Tactics to Refute Emerging Attempts to Impose a Higher Standard of Care on Commercial Truck Driver,” Defense Research Institute Annual Meeting (Chicago IL, 2018)
• “Rapid Response Teams and On-site Investigations: The Front Line of Defense,” American Conference Institute’s 5th National Forum on Defending and Managing Trucking Litigation (Chicago, 2015)

Blog Posts

Publications

• Carriers May Reevaluate Driver-Facing Cameras After $228M Privacy Act Verdict," TIDA Newsletter (1st Quarter 2023). (Co-Author)
• “Data Downloads: Evidence Defense Lawyers Must Obtain,” TIDA Newsletter (Summer 2021). (Co-author)
• “Avoiding the Potholes [and Pitfalls] with Last Mile Delivery,” Trucking Industry Defense Association Newsletter (Fall 2019). (Co-author)
• “Defense Tactics to Refute Emerging Attempts to Impose a Higher Standard of Care on Commercial Truck Driver,” Trucking Industry Defense Association Newsletter (December 2017).
• “Plaintiff Posted What? Ensuring That Social Media Diamonds are Admissible by Addressing the Foundational Requirements for Social Media Evidence," In Transit, Defense Research Institute Trucking Law Committee’s Newsletter (October 2016). (Co-author)

View More

• “The Bridge to Broker Liability,” In Transit (Defense Research Institute Trucking Law Committee’s Newsletter) (March 2015). (Co-author).
• “Let the Broker Beware: Illinois Appellate Court Affirms $23.8 Million Verdict Against Freight Broker,” In Transit (Defense Research Institute Trucking Law Committee’s Newsletter) (August 2011). (Co-author)
• “Cautionary Trucking Tale: Attorney Involvement Critical to Accident Investigation,” In Transit (Defense Research Institute Trucking Law Committee’s Newsletter) (August 2011).
• “Settling Defendants Will Not Appear on Illinois Verdict Forms,” In Transit (Defense Research Institute Trucking Law Committee’s Newsletter) (Winter 2009). (Co-author)