Craig T. Liljestrand

Craig Liljestrand has extensive experience defending clients in toxic tort, products liability, and environmental litigation. He has a particular focus on trials involving asbestos, silica, welding fumes, lead paint, and occupational disease claims. He has successfully defended Fortune 500 industrial product and equipment manufacturers, contractors, and premises owners in numerous toxic tort and environmental cases throughout the country. Craig also serves as national counsel for a worldwide hardware wholesaler and building co-op and regional counsel for a major industrial manufacturer.

Craig and his team have helped establish favorable case law in the Illinois Supreme Court on behalf of employers involved in toxic/mass tort litigation.

Craig also handles multi-district (MDL) and national litigation. In addition, he counsels and advises clients on toxic tort issues in purchase and sale agreements for commercial real estate.

Before joining Hinshaw, Craig was a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Doyle A. Rowland in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan. During law school, he was on the Executive Editorial Board for the Law Review and a member of the Software Law Journal.

• Chemical Industry Council of Illinois
• International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC)
  • Editor-Elect, 2024 – 2025
  • North Illinois State Chair, 2021 – 2022
  • Vice-Chair for Membership for the Toxic & Hazardous Substances Committee, 2021 – 2022
  • Vice-Chair for Programs & Projects for the Toxic & Hazardous Substances Committee, 2020 – 2021
  • Vice-Chair of Newsletters for the Toxic & Hazardous Substances Committee, 2019 – 2020
• Federal Bar Association (FBA)
  • Community Service and Outreach Committee, Member, 2018 – 2021
  • Chicago Chapter
  • Grand Rapids Chapter

• Selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© for Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants, 2025
• Recognized on the Super Lawyers list by Illinois Super Lawyers magazine, 2012 – 2024
• Recognized by the International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC) for Excellence in Writing, the George W. Yancey Memorial Award, 2023 
• Member of the Leading Lawyers Network, where he was selected by his peers as a "Leading Lawyer" in the areas of Products Liability Defense Law and Toxic Torts Defense Law, 2011 – 2019
• Selected by his peers and named by the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and Chicago Lawyer Magazine as one of the top "40 Illinois Attorneys Under Forty to Watch," 2005
• Holds the AV® Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, its highest rating for ethics and legal ability

• Folta v. Ferro Engineering, 43 N.E.3d 108 (IL. Sup. Ct. 2015). Successfully filed a motion to dismiss, with the court holding that the plaintiff could not sue their former employer in tort in an asbestos/toxic tort action.
• Berry v. American Standard, Inc., 888 N.E.2d 740 (5th Dist. 2008). Defeated defendant's summary judgment motion by successfully arguing for the denial of the use of the deceased plaintiff’s discovery deposition as admissible evidence.

Craig frequently speaks before organizations and clients on various legal issues. His presentations have included:

• Co-Presenter, "Forever Chemicals - The Latest in an Ever-Changing Landscape," 2024 Midyear Meeting, International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC), Miami, Florida, February 22, 2024
• Co-Presenter, "Forecast for PFAS Litigation in 2024," Perrin Conferences PFAS Litigation and Regulatory Developments Conference, Virtual Event, February 15, 2024
• Co-Presenter, "PFAS: Emerging Topics for the Forever Emerging Contaminant," In-House Client Training, Princeton, New Jersey, September 12, 2023
• "DCJ Highlight: PFAS Exposure: A Comprehensive Look," IADC Speaks podcast, International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC), June 28, 2022
• Co-Presenter, "How Personal Jurisdiction is Slowly Reshaping Toxic Tort Litigation" IADC webinar, May 1, 2019
• "The State of the Asbestos Market," American Conference Institute's 23rd National Advanced Forum on Asbestos Claims & Litigation, Chicago, Illinois, May 2018
• "Single Fiber/Any Exposure/Each & Every Exposure, and Punitive Damages," American Conference Institute's 21st National Advanced Forum on Asbestos Claims & Litigation, Chicago, Illinois, June 2016
• "Former Employee Lawsuits: Latest on Filings Against Former Employers in Common Law Tort Action," American Conference Institute's 20th National Advanced Forum on Asbestos Claims & Litigation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, January 2016
• "The Interplay Between Workers Compensation and Asbestos, Examining the Folta Case in IL, Impact of the Exclusivity Rule in Different Jurisdictions, Insurance Coverage Issues, Expert Witnesses and State of the Art Defense," American Conference Institute's 19th National Advanced Forum On Asbestos Claims & Litigation, Chicago, Illinois, June 2015
• "Problem Child: Chicago," ExecuSummit's 1st Annual Asbestos Litigation Strategies, Uncasville, Connecticut, December 2014
• "Setting the Stage: Emerging Claims and Parties, Settlement and Verdict of Mesothelioma and Other Cases, Punitives, Key California Nuances, Drastic Differences Between Jurisdictions, the Effects of Tort Reform, the Latest Nuances on the Defense of Lack of Causation, and What to Expect for 2014," American Conference Institute's 16th National Advanced Forum on Asbestos Claims & Litigation, San Francisco, California, January 2014
• "Looking Back and Ahead: Emerging Claims and Parties, Key State Nuances, Drastic Differences Between Friendly and Hostile Jurisdictions, the Effects of Tort Reform, and What to Expect for Second Half of 2013," American Conference Institute's 14th National Advanced Forum on Asbestos Claims & Litigation, co-chair, Chicago, Illinois, June 2013
• "The Best and Worst Jurisdictions for Asbestos Litigants, Key State-by-State Nuances, and Forum Shopping," American Conference Institute's 13th Annual Advanced Forum on Asbestos Claims & Litigation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, February 2013
• "View from the Bench: Federal and State Judges Speak Out on Current Litigation Trends, Successful Plaintiff Claims and Defense Strategies," American Conference Institute's 12th Annual Advanced Forum on Asbestos Claims & Litigation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, January 2012
• "Component Supplier Litigation: What You Now Need to Know to Craft a Solid Defense," American Conference Institute's 11th Annual Advanced Forum on Litigating and Managing Asbestos Claims, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, May 2010
• "Repetitive Stress Injuries - Current Events," for Zurich Insurance Company, 1998
• "Product Liability and Intellectual Property Law in the United States of America for Electronic Videogames," Sumitomo Insurance Company, 1996
• "Background on EMF's and Defense Attorney's Perspective on Recent Health Studies and Cases on Electromagnetic Fields (EMF): Emerging Area of Litigation," Sponsored by the Chicago Bar Association - Environmental Law & Energy Committee, 1995

Craig frequently publishes legal articles in toxic tort and environmental litigation.

His article, "Silica and the 'Sophisticated User Doctrine' – Avoiding Legal Sand Traps under the Duty to Warn," was published as a chapter in "Exploring Toxic Tort and Environmental Liability Claims" by the Defense Research Institute in 2007.

Additionally, an article was referenced and cited by the Supreme Court of New Jersey in Matter of Musick, 143 N.J. 206, 670 A.2d 11 (1996).

Since 2012, Craig has published a monthly column in the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin titled "Toxic Tort Talk." A selection of recent columns include:

• "No injury liability from items not made, distributed or sold: Court," Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, January 25, 2021
• "Plaintiffs fail to supply sufficient asbestos evidence to keep verdict," Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, February 4, 2020
• "Asbestos verdict reversed for failure to warn," Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, September 24, 2019
• "Plaintiff wins dispute over forum; Cook County deemed best for all," Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, August 9, 2019
• "Strict statute of repose blocks Massachusetts asbestos claim," Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, May 9, 2019
• "Talcum user fails to establish jurisdiction," Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, April 3, 2019
• "South Carolina workers' comp statute ends asbestos claim in two ways," Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, January 2, 2019

Craig's other publications include:

• "PFAS in Food Packaging: Product Liability Concerns for Industry Manufacturers and Sellers," IADC's Defense Counsel Journal, March 5, 2024
• "Potential Liability to PFAS Manufacturers and Suppliers of Food Packaging: Examining the Growing Concerns," American Bar Association, Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Law Journal, Products Liability, Summer 2023
• "PFAS Exposure: A Comprehensive Look at Emerging Facts and Studies, Risk and Liability Assessment, Litigation History, Evolving Regulations and Future Predictions," IADC's Defense Counsel Journal, April 2022
• "Can Asbestos Ever Be Mitigated From Illinois Courts? Illuminating asbestos' pathway out of the Land of Lincoln." ISBA's Illinois Bar Journal, March 2020
• "Judicial Profile: Hon. Rubén Castillo Chief Judge, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois," The Federal Lawyer, November/December 2019
• "Judicial Profile: Hon. Phillip J. Green, Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan," The Federal Lawyer, July/August 2019
• "Tort is Not an Option in Illinois Employee Asbestos Exposure," co-author, Product Liability Law360, Employment Law360 and Midwest Law360, June 28, 2012
• "Missouri Court Holds That State's Workers' Compensation Law Not Exclusive Remedy for Occupational Diseases," DRI The Voice 42, October 19, 2011
• "Delaware Joins Trend of States Rejecting 'Take Home' Asbestos Claims," 10 DRI The Voice 34, August 24, 2011
• "California Court of Appeals Refuses to Give a 'Sophisticated Purchased Defense' Instruction to the Jury on Failure to Warn," 9 DRI The Voice 50, December 15, 2010
• "State Legislatures Continue Their Attack: Banning the Use of Bisphenol A (BPA) in Baby Bottles and Containers," 9 DRI The Voice 10, March 10, 2010
• "Texas Supreme Court Now Requires Trial Court to Detail Its Reasons for Granting a New Trial," 8 DRI The Voice29, July 22, 2009
• "Nolan v. Weil-McLain: Was It Worth the Wait? Yes, If You Have a Sole Proximate Cause Defense," co-author, 8 DRI The Voice 14, April 22, 2009
• "Federal Appeals Court Finds that Asbestos Bystander Exposure was Not Foreseeable under Kentucky Law," 8 DRI The Voice 14, April 8, 2009
• "Ohio Property Owners are Immune from all Secondhand Asbestos Exposure Cases," 8 DRI The Voice 14, April 8, 2009
• "The Chilling Effect of Collateral Estoppel: An Investigative Look Back at the Workers' Compensation File May Put the Plaintiff's Toxic Tort Action on Ice," 8 DRI The Voice 4, January 28, 2009; posted to the Workers' Compensation Law Blog: Larsons Case Law Developments, July 31, 2009
• "Mississippi Affirms Reversal of Multimillion-Dollar Benzene Suit Based on the Absence of Any Causation Evidence," Legal Insights, an AIG Domestic Claims publication, Fall 2008
• "Oregon Hands Toxic Torts Defendants a Big Win," 3 In-House Defense Quarterly 11, Summer 2008
• "California Adopts the 'Sophisticated User Defense': Toxic Tort Defendants Now Have a Powerful and Viable Defense in Their Arsenal," co-author, 50 For the Defense (DRI) 4, May 2008
• "Exposure to Welding Fumes: Are The Welding Industry's Risk Management Practices Ready to Face This Growing Litigation Threat?" co-author, 49 For the Defense (DRI) 16, June 2007
• "Silica and the 'Sophisticated User Doctrine': Avoiding Legal Sand Traps under the Duty to Warn," 47 For the Defense (DRI) 61, July 2005
• "Silica and the Sophisticated User Doctrine: Keeping the Silica Manufacturer/Supplier Out of the Legal Quicksand," 46 For the Defense (DRI) 24, September 2004
• "Silica and the Sophisticated User Doctrine: Defending the Manufacturer/Supplier against a Sandstorm of Litigation," 2 Mealey's Litigation Report 7, March 2004
• "And The Defense Wins!!," 3 DRI The Voice 10, March 10-16, 2004. Defense Victory Commentary for Viacom, Inc.
• "Neglecting Mandatory Asbestos Reinspections Could Lead To Liability For Schools," 91 Illinois Bar Journal 571, November 2003. Reprinted in 48 The Missouri Association of Legal Secretaries 3, Winter 2003
• "Complex Bill to Resolve Asbestos Cases Loses Support," Chicago Lawyer, interview and commentary, September 2003
• The Asbestos Compensation Fairness Act," 45 For the Defense (DRI) 20, June 2003
• "The Telecommunications Act of 1996 and Cell Phone Towers: Possible Preclusion of Private Causes of Action for EMF Health Issues," 18 Toxics Law Reporter 160, February 13, 2003
• "The Telecommunications Act of 1996 and Cell Phone Towers," 1 Asset & Risk Management Forum, Issue 2, Summer 2002
• "Asbestos In Schools: No Room For Tardiness In Performing The Mandatory Reinspections Under AHERA," 3 The Report Card, Issue 1, April 2002
• "Cell Phone Suits Have No Basis in Science or Law," 15 Legal Backgrounder No. 55, Washington Legal Foundation, December 15, 2000
• "Lead Paint Litigation & 'Medical Monitoring' Class Actions," 1 Toxic Exposure Litigation, Issue 2, November 2000
• "Courts Reshape Conspiracy Litigation in Illinois," 1 Toxic Exposure Litigation, Issue 1, June 2000
• "Defending the Pill: Oral Contraceptives and Strict Liability in Illinois," 84 Illinois Bar Journal 364, July 1996
• "Electromagnetic Fields (EMF's) and the Potential for Injury: Real Danger Or Overreaction?," 62 Defense Counsel Journal 323, July 1995
• "Repetitive Stress Injuries and the Computer Keyboard: If There Still Is No Causal Relationship between Use and Injury, Is it Wise to Warn?," 13 John Marshall Journal of Computer & Information Law 391, Spring 1995
• "The Aids Epidemic in America's Prisons: Have the Courts Correctly Diagnosed a Cure for Inmates with Aids?," 71 Michigan Bar Journal 1174-77, November 1992

• Triage Cancer, Legal Advisory Council, Member
• GiGi's Playhouse (Children with Down Syndrome), Volunteer