The Cook Group Secures Summary Judgement In Cook County

May 2026

Chicago - The Cook Group’s Chicago office obtained a favorable defense ruling this past month in an asbestos matter pending in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois.  Following oral argument before Judge Maura Slattery Boyle, the court granted summary judgment in favor of our contractor client and denied the plaintiff’s motion to continue the trial.

In reaching its decision, the court reviewed the discovery record and deposition testimony and found that the plaintiff failed to identify our client in connection with his alleged exposures or establish a sufficient factual nexus to support his claims. The court specifically noted that the record lacked evidence placing the plaintiff in proximity to any work or asbestos‑containing materials attributable to the defendant. 

The court further considered whether the evidentiary record presented any triable issue of fact, including as to exposure and causation, and concluded that it did not. While recognizing that summary judgment is a significant remedy, the court determined that the absence of identification, combined with the lack of evidence supporting causation, warranted entry of judgment as a matter of law. 

The ruling followed briefing and argument addressing multiple issues, including the admissibility and sufficiency of the plaintiff’s testimony, the lack of product or worksite identification, and the absence of evidence linking the defendant to any alleged asbestos exposure. The court declined to continue trial and proceeded to resolve the pending dispositive motion based on the existing record.

The matter was led by TCG Partners Meredith S. Hudgens and Anna Liisa Schourek, with Ms. Schourek taking the lead in developing and presenting oral arguments before the court. She worked closely with Kasey Ewald on the briefing and evidentiary analysis that framed the issues for decision and supported the entry of summary judgment.