Meredith S. Hudgens is a Partner in the firm's Chicago office, where her practice focuses on complex litigation, product liability, toxic tort, environmental, and mass tort defense. She represents manufacturers, suppliers, premises owners, contractors, and other corporate defendants in high-exposure litigation throughout the country involving asbestos, benzene, silica, chemical exposure, hair relaxer products, institutional and sexual abuse litigation, premises liability, and other catastrophic injury matters.
Meredith is known for her practical, proactive approach to litigation and her ability to quickly master the facts of a case, understand her client's story, and translate complex issues into persuasive legal arguments. She works closely with her clients to understand not only the legal issues at stake, but also the operational, business, and reputational considerations driving each matter. By combining thorough case analysis with strategic use of procedural and evidentiary tools, she routinely identifies opportunities to advance her clients' positions through focused discovery, creative motion practice, and early case assessment. Her command of civil procedure and attention to detail enable her to efficiently navigate complex litigation while remaining focused on achieving her clients' objectives.
Meredith has served as National, Regional, and Local Counsel in complex litigation involving thousands of claims across multiple jurisdictions. Licensed in three states and federal courts, she provides seamless representation for local, regional, and national clients confronting sophisticated litigation challenges. Her familiarity with traditionally plaintiff-friendly jurisdictions extends well beyond Illinois and Missouri, providing clients with practical insights into litigation strategy, risk assessment, and case valuation.
An accomplished courtroom litigator, Meredith routinely handles all phases of a case: inception through trial. She has extensive experience in developing trial strategy, conducting and defending fact and expert depositions, preparing witnesses, arguing dispositive and evidentiary motions, handling jury selection, and guiding clients through trial. Meredith works up every case with her client in mind, developing initiatives and solutions from the earliest stages of the case that position her clients for success at deposition, through motion practice, during settlement negotiations, and in the courtroom. Her priorities focus not only on developing testimony and preserving the record, but also on shaping case themes, evaluating risk, strengthening defenses, and positioning cases for successful motion practice, negotiation, and trial outcomes.
A significant portion of Meredith's practice involves working closely with corporate representatives and company witnesses in preparation for depositions, hearings, and trial testimony. She is particularly recognized for her thoughtful deposition strategy and witness preparation, helping individuals understand both the legal and practical considerations associated with testimony while ensuring they are confident, prepared, and accurate for their companies.
She has successfully argued and won numerous Motions for Summary Judgment, Motions to Dismiss, and other pre-trial motions in Cook County, Madison County, St. Louis, Milwaukee, and the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois. Most recently, she secured a rare summary judgment victory in Cook County asbestos litigation after delivering oral argument on behalf of her client, resulting in dismissal of all claims before trial. She has also helped secure favorable defense verdicts and trial outcomes in jurisdictions including St. Louis and Baltimore.
In addition to her litigation practice, Meredith advises startups and established businesses on commercial transactions and business disputes. She also maintains experience in construction defect litigation, criminal defense, wills, estate planning, and probate matters.
Meredith is deeply committed to her clients and to her community. She co-founded Just City Legal Clinic, which provides free legal advice and legal services to individuals who otherwise may not have access to counsel. She also proudly serves Southern Illinois University as an Alumni Association Board Member.
Meredith has been recognized as an Illinois Rising Star for five consecutive years and was named an Illinois Emerging Lawyer in 2023.