Madison County Team Secures Second Defense Verdict Within Three Weeks

Madison County, Ill. (July 2025) - Madison County Partners Adam Johnson and Zachary Shelton and Associate William Saunders recently secured a defense verdict on behalf of a Lewis Brisbois client in St. Clair County, Illinois. It was the team’s second defense verdict within three weeks.

The matter arose from an alleged two-car motor vehicle accident that occurred in St. Clair County, Illinois. The plaintiff in the case alleged that she sustained a serious and lasting injury to her neck and back, for which she had endured and would continue to endure pain and suffering and a loss of her ability to carry out her activities of daily living.  The matter proceeded to a jury trial where the defendant denied that any accident occurred between herself and the plaintiff and further denied that the plaintiff had sustained any injuries.

At trial, the plaintiff testified that she was hit hard enough in the accident she alleged to push her into another lane of travel, resulting in her vehicle becoming misaligned. The plaintiff testified that as a result of this accident, she suffered substantial and lasting injuries. During trial, the plaintiff called her primary treater who testified that the plaintiff had sustained serious injuries requiring many months of medical care as a direct result of the alleged accident.

The defense was able to establish, through the plaintiff’s sworn testimony and objective, third-party evidence relating to the parties’ vehicles, that the accident at issue never occurred. The defense was able to further highlight medical records suggesting that the plaintiff had not, in fact, suffered an injury as she alleged. The defense also challenged the plaintiff’s medical expert’s testimony on the grounds that her testimony was steeped in bias given her close relationship with plaintiff’s attorney’s law firm.

After approximately 45 minutes of deliberation, the jury returned a defense verdict. This was a the second jury trial and defense verdict secured by the Lewis Brisbois team within a three week period. 

Mr. Johnson is a trial attorney and member of the firm’s National Trial Practice Team with nearly two dozen jury trials. Mr. Johnson represents numerous national insurance carriers and commercial clients. He is a long-time Member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA).

Mr. Shelton is a trial attorney with Lewis Brisbois’ General Liability Practice. He focuses his practice on general civil litigation, including automobile liability, and routinely handles all aspects of litigation, including jury trials. 

Mr. Saunders is also a seasoned litigator with Lewis Brisbois’ General Liability Practice. Mr. Saunders is a member of the firm’s General Liability Practice who focuses his practice on general civil litigation, including automobile liability, and routinely handles all aspects of litigation, including jury trials.