Brian OConnor Watson

Brian OConnor Watson

Commercial Litigation

4.0 (1 reviews)
Chicago, Illinois
15+ years experience
Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila LLP
Updated:

Contact Information

1 South Dearborn Street, Suite 2200, Chicago, IL 60603
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Bio

Brian gets things done: a nationally ranked lawyer with engineering and business expertise who’s just as comfortable trying cases in the courtroom as he is creating solutions at the negotiation table.As a trusted advisor and first-chair trial lawyer, Brian has represented clients through every stage of litigation on both sides of the “v” from pre-suit negotiations through trials and verdicts to appeals and judgment enforcement.Earlier in his career, Brian finished graduate degrees in engineering, business, and law—all while working full time and cherishing caffeine—so he’s also spent time with clients out on their 100‑degree factory floors, their unpredictable fields, their innovative tech centers, and their company headquarters.Brian dedicates countless hours to pro bono and community service in a broad range of areas from constitutional and civil rights, discrimination, family and consumer law, to public benefits and immigration. He’s deeply committed to helping those most in need. Brian gets things done: a nationally ranked lawyer with engineering and business expertise who’s just as comfortable trying cases in the courtroom as he is creating solutions at the negotiation table.As a trusted advisor and first-chair trial lawyer, Brian has represented clients through every stage of litigation on both sides of the “v” from pre-suit negotiations through trials and verdicts to appeals and judgment enforcement.Earlier in his career, Brian finished graduate degrees in engineering, business, and law—all while working full time and cherishing caffeine—so he’s also spent time with clients out on their 100‑degree factory floors, their unpredictable fields, their innovative tech centers, and their company headquarters.Brian dedicates countless hours to pro bono and community service in a broad range of areas from constitutional and civil rights, discrimination, family and consumer law, to public benefits and immigration. He’s deeply committed to helping those most in need. Brian gets things done: a nationally ranked lawyer with engineering and business expertise who’s just as comfortable trying cases in the courtroom as he is creating solutions at the negotiation table. As a trusted advisor and first-chair trial lawyer, Brian has represented clients through every stage of litigation on both sides of the “v” from pre-suit negotiations through trials and verdicts to appeals and judgment enforcement. Earlier in his career, Brian finished graduate degrees in engineering, business, and law—all while working full time and cherishing caffeine—so he’s also spent time with clients out on their 100‑degree factory floors, their unpredictable fields, their innovative tech centers, and their company headquarters. Brian dedicates countless hours to pro bono and community service in a broad range of areas from constitutional and civil rights, discrimination, family and consumer law, to public benefits and immigration. He’s deeply committed to helping those most in need.

Practice Areas

Commercial Litigation

Awards & Recognition

  • Recognized: Commercial Litigation
  • Practice Area: Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
  • Practice Area: Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants
  • Illinois Leading Lawyer in Commercial Litigation, Personal Injury Defense Law: General, and Products Liability Defense Law, Law Bulletin Media Leading Lawyers (2022-2025)

Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2022

Education

  • Chicago-Kent College of Law at IIT, J.D., cum laude, graduated 2010
  • Purdue University, M.S., Engineering, graduated 2005
  • DePaul University, M.B.A., with distinction, Delta Mu Delta, graduated 2004
  • Michigan Technological University, B.S., Electrical Engineering, Economics Minor, cum laude, graduated 2002

Reviews

E

Emma Parker

2 weeks ago

A formidable advocate with deep technical expertise

Brian Watson represented our manufacturing company in a complex product liability suit. His unique background as an engineer was invaluable; he could dissect the technical specifications and failure analysis in a way that immediately commanded respect from both our experts and the opposition. His reputation as a recognized leader in defense-side litigation was evident in his strategic approach, which efficiently steered us toward a favorable settlement before trial. Brian is exceptionally sharp, pragmatic, and instills great confidence. The only slight critique would be that during the most intense phases, communication from his team could sometimes lag by a day. That said, his mastery of the material and courtroom presence are top-tier. We felt very well-protected.

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