Erik Lewis is an experienced litigator with an emphasis on the defense of personal injury, products liability, toxic torts, and railroad litigation in some of the most difficult jurisdictions in the country.
Erik advises railroads and product manufacturers, designers, and distributors to resolve complex liability matters through negotiations, settlements, motions, and trial. He handles all phases of litigation, from initial claim investigation and assessment through discovery and trial, helping clients to establish strong trial strategies with successful outcomes.
Before joining Thompson Coburn, Erik served as an Assistant Attorney General for the state of Illinois, where he served as lead counsel on federal, state, and administrative cases. His experience also includes working as an associate in an Illinois law firm, where he established a strong foundation in transactional and litigation matters.
experience
- Obtained defense verdict in jury trial for railroad client in occupational exposure case.
- Successfully defended administrative award for client in a claim brought pursuant to the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act of 1930 (PACA), including having summary judgment affirmed by the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals and obtaining a significant legal fee award under PACA.
- Drafted briefs before Missouri Appellate Court and Supreme Court resulting in dismissal of client based on lack of personal jurisdiction. State ex rel. Norfolk Southern Railway Company v. Dolan, 512 S.W.3d 41 (Mo. banc 2017).
- Obtained summary judgment on matter of first impression regarding Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) statute of limitations. Barrett v. Illinois Dept. of Corrections, 958 F. Supp. 2d 984 (C.D. Ill. 2013), aff’d by Barrett v. Illinois Dept. of Corrections, 803 F.3d 893 (7th Cir. 2015).
- National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel
- American Bar Association
- Illinois State Bar Association
- Illinois Super Lawyers, 2019 (by Thomson Reuters)
- “Unmasking Anon12345: Applying an Appropriate Standard When Private Clients Seek the Identity of Anonymous Internet Defamation Defendants”
2009 U. Ill. L. Rev. 947, 2009
I was a film major in college and still try to see as many movies in the theater as I can (although it became more difficult once I had kids).