Shawn M. Collins

Shawn M. Collins, a seasoned trial attorney, excels in courtroom litigation, particularly in environmental contamination, toxic tort, personal injury, and commercial suits. His notable achievements include co-counseling a case that awarded $363 million to a woman who developed breast cancer due to prolonged ethylene oxide exposure.

Shawn has played a pivotal role in securing clean water and uncontaminated homes for numerous families. His successful recoveries for clients include $34.5 million for a neighborhood affected by toxic vapors, $8.5 million for a firefighter's family after a fatal accident, and $16.9 million for families suffering from groundwater contamination. Additional victories include $8.19 million for a town with vapor and groundwater issues, $12 million for cancer plaintiffs exposed to toxic chemicals, and $30 million for condominium owners in a property dispute.

Recognized as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by The American Trial Lawyers Association from 2005 to 2022, Shawn has also been honored as a “Leading Lawyer,” a title held by less than 5% of attorneys in Illinois. He has been named an Illinois “Super Lawyer” 14 times, most recently in 2023, and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from America’s Top 100 Attorneys, a distinction limited to 100 lawyers per state.

After graduating Summa Cum Laude from the University of Notre Dame, Shawn earned his law degree from The University of Chicago Law School. He is a Certified Public Accountant in Illinois and a member of the National Trial Lawyers, as well as the Illinois and Chicago Bar Associations. His work has been featured on major networks such as ABC, CBS, CNN, and NBC. Additionally, he was a finalist for the Daily Herald newspaper’s “person of the year” award for his advocacy for families in Lisle, IL.