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10.29.19

David Chizewer, a Principal in the firm's Litigation practice group, is quoted in "Asbestos defendant that fought hundreds of Gori suits appears to have escaped Madison County," published in the Oct. 29, 2019, edition of the Madison-St. Clair Record. The article concerns asbestos lawsuits filed against Mr. Chizewer's client Avocet Enterprises.

“Any reasonable inquiry would have revealed that Avocet has no connection to the alleged asbestos exposure and no liability.”
David Chizewer

Avocet had been sued 415 times by lawyer Randy Gori in Madison County, Illinois, but testimony given provided no reasons to think that Avocet products were present or involved in any incidents. “Any reasonable inquiry would have revealed that Avocet has no connection to the alleged asbestos exposure and no liability,” said Mr. Chizewer.

“Avocet was named as part of a reflexive pattern of conduct, with the hope of increasing the probability of having at least some defendants who would offer a settlement rather than incur the cost of defense,” he continued.

Gori stopped suing Avocet when Mr. Chizewer moved for sanctions to recover the $760,000 Avocet had paid to defend itself.