Christopher D. Willis

Legal Experience

Mr. Willis concentrates his practice primarily in civil litigation, particularly focuses on matters raising complex or novel legal issues and handling appeals. In addition to trials, hearings, and appeals, in state and federal courts, he has represented clients before the Cook County Mandatory Arbitration program, Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist forums, before the American Arbitration Association, and at various alternative dispute resolution forums.  Mr. Willis has handled matters ranging from hearings before the City of Chicago Department of Zoning Board of Appeals to Medicare fraud whistleblower litigation in the federal courts.

Professional Memberships

Mr. Willis is a member of the Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel. 

Education

Mr. Willis earned his Juris Doctor cum laude from Loyola University Chicago School of Law.  While at Loyola, Mr. Willis received the Circle of Advocates Scholarship for demonstrated achievement in trial advocacy. Mr. Willis also earned CALI awards (an honor bestowed for the highest grade in a particular course) in Civil Procedure and Consumer Law. Mr. Willis holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Publications

Mr. Willis authored the article “Comparing Scotch and Bourbon Regulations” in the Consumer Law Newsletter of the Illinois State Bar Association. He also co-authored “Taking Control: Attacking Pleadings Claiming a Violation of a Safety Statute as Prima Facie Evidence of Negligence” in the IDC Quarterly of the Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel.

Mr. Willis has authored two amicus curiae briefs on behalf of the Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel. Along C. William Busse, Jr., Mr. Willis authored the amicus curiae brief in Bell v. Hutsell, 2011 IL 110724.  That brief argued the ultimately-successful position of the IADTC regarding social host liability for the provision of alcohol. Additionally, Mr. Willis authored the amicus curiae brief for the IADTC in Murphy-Hylton v. Lieberman Management, 2016 IL 120394, regarding the application of Illinois Snow and Ice Removal Act.

Admitted to Practice

Mr. Willis is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the State of Illinois, and the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. In May of 2001, Mr. Willis was admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court in an in-person ceremony in May of 2011.

Personal

An avid runner of road and track races of varying distances, Mr. Willis has completed five marathons, including the Boston Marathon, and in 2016 won an age-group USA Track & Field National Championship in the steeplechase.  Mr. Willis also serves on the Chicago Associate Board of Back on My Feet, a national nonprofit organization that uses running to help those experiencing homelessness make positive changes in their lives. Mr. Willis lives in the Edison Park neighborhood of Chicago with his wife, Clare, and their son.

When it matters most, experience counts

With nearly a century of combined trial litigation experience, Busse & Busse, P.C. has a long history of obtaining optimal results for our clients. Click on the profile links below for more information about our exceptional attorneys.

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