Patrick J. O'Connor

Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, Patrick OConnor is a trial attorney specializing in high exposure litigation, with an emphasis on medical malpractice claims. He has extensive experience representing physicians, physician groups, hospitals, nurses, mid-level providers and other healthcare professionals throughout the entire litigation process. With rare exception, his cases involve instances in which the plaintiff is seeking seven or eight figures in compensation. Mr. OConnor prides himself on identifying strengths and weaknesses during the infancy of each case such that he can work with his clients to create a plan of action at the outset that meets his clients goals. Throughout his career, Mr. OConnor has obtained numerous not guilty verdicts and dismissals. A sampling of his successes include: Not guilty verdict in favor of an internist in which plaintiff alleged there was a five-year delay in diagnosing cancer; Not guilty verdict in favor of an emergency medicine physician which involved the death of a 31-hour old infant; Not guilty verdict in favor an obstetrician in which the minor infant sustained hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy; Not guilty verdict in favor of an emergency medicine physician who plaintiff alleged negligently elected to and then failed to properly intubate a patient; Not guilty verdict in favor of a geriatrician in which a nursing home patient alleged the provider negligently discontinued the patients Coumadin which resulted in a stroke; Summary Judgment in favor of an emergency medicine provider, who plaintiff alleged negligently prescribed a child decongestant which resulted in the infants death. Mr. OConnor obtained several concessions from plaintiffs experts which demonstrated that the intervening acts of the pharmacist were unforeseeable. This allowed him to argue that his clients alleged negligence was not the cause of the minor infants death. The circuit courts ruling was affirmed on appeal; and Summary Judgment in favor of a general surgeon. The Court held that the decedents aunt did not have standing to bring the wrongful death claim. In addition to his trial practice, Mr. OConnor represents individuals in disciplinary proceedings in front of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, the Illinois Inspector General, and various hospital credentialing committees. The overwhelming majority of the time, Mr. OConnors clients walk away from the proceedings with no action being taken against their licenses or privileges. Mr. OConnor has been recognized as an Illinois Rising Star (2017-2019) by Super Lawyers, an Emerging Lawyer by Leading Lawyers and a Leading Lawyer in his first year of eligibility. He is admitted to practice law in the State of Illinois and the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Mr. OConnor is also a member of the Illinois Society of Trial Lawyers, which is comprised of elite attorneys who demonstrate leadership and make significant contributions to the legal community by delivering outstanding results for clients. While in law school, Mr. OConnor clerked at one of Chicagos top-tier personal injury firms, focusing primarily on medical malpractice matters. Working on both sides of the aisle has given Mr. OConnor a unique perspective and competitive advantage in his representation of healthcare providers. Prior to joining Smith Blake Hill, Mr. OConnor worked at a Boutique Civil Litigation Firm, where he focused on civil litigation.