Hon Jennifer Duncan-Brice

Judge Jennifer Duncan-Brice developed a reputation for settling cases as a highly successful pre-trial judge during her 18 1/2-year tenure in the Cook County Law Division. She brings her pre-trial mediation expertise, along with her judicial and litigation experience to her private ADR practice.  Judge Duncan-Brice has facilitated millions of dollars in aggregate mediated settlements since leaving the bench.  Judge Duncan-Brice concentrates her mediation practice in the areas of: Substantial Personal Injury, Wrongful Death, Medical Malpractice, Hospital & Nursing Home Negligence, e-Discovery Disputes, Employment Disputes, Product Liability, Construction Defect, Business & Commercial, Toxic Tort and Class Action

In addition to serving as a mediator and arbitrator, Judge Duncan-Brice has acted as a court-appointed receiver and Guardian ad Litem. She also provides case and witness evaluation services in substantial litigation matters.

Judge Duncan-Brice spent her entire judicial career in the Law Division, presiding over a General Calendar Call for the last 15 years. Prior to that she presided over a Motion Call. She has extensive experience trying, managing and mediating personal injury, professional malpractice, wrongful death, construction, products, premises and toxic tort litigation among others. Judge Duncan-Brice is one of a few judges to begin their career in the Law Division, and serve their entire career presiding over substantial civil tort litigation.

Prior to being elected to the Circuit Court of Cook County, Judge Duncan-Brice was Deputy Corporation Counsel (DCC) of the Torts Division for the City of Chicago. In this capacity, she was responsible for defending the City of Chicago in wrongful death and personal injury litigation. She started working at the Corporation Counsel’s Office as a law clerk. In 1976 she became Assistant Corporation Counsel, working in the Litigation Division and primarily representing the Chicago Police Department and police officers on civil rights actions in federal court. In 1982 she was transferred to the Real Estate Division, handling condemnation cases and representing the Landmark Commission. In 1985 she was promoted to Chief Assistant Corporation Counsel and was assigned to reorganize the Torts Division, ultimately being promoted to the DCC.

Judge Duncan-Brice coauthored the book Illinois Pretrial Practice for James Publishing in 2004, which the authors have revised annually since. The 1200+-page book provides information on how to prepare a civil case for trial, including discovery, motions, privileges, depositions and strategy. The book’s issue-oriented outline format is supported by 1,900 citations, 110 forms, advice from the bench, recent case-based illustrations, practice-proven strategies, step-by-step procedures, pattern language, and a full-text CD. Coverage runs from taking the case up to trial.

• J.D., John Marshall Law School 
• B.A., With Honors, Denison University

• National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals
• Fellow, American College of e-Neutrals
• Chicago Chapter of the Federal Bar Association (President 1988-1989)

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