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John Monical

John S. Monical

Managing Partner
  • AV Preeminent™ and 5.0/5.0 Peer Review Rating™ (Martindale Hubbell)
  • 2017 – 2020 Leading LawyerSM (Law Bulletin Publishing):
    • Commercial Litigation
    • Products Liability Defense Law

John S. Monical is an experienced litigator and trial attorney focusing on commercial and business litigation. John represents financial institutions (banks, broker-dealers, and investment advisers) and financial advisors in customer litigation and arbitration, restrictive covenant and trade secret disputes, and in SEC, FINRA, and state regulatory investigations and enforcement proceedings. John also represents product manufacturers, distributors, installers, and vendors in contract, personal injury defense, wrongful death, and property damage claims.

John approaches every engagement with a laser focus on his client’s business goals. Every case strategy is designed to efficiently drive that result. John has tailored creative strategies to reach settlement and avoid litigation. When the client’s goal calls for a court battle, John has applied a tenacious attention to detail, has simplified the presentation of complex evidence, and has achieved an impressive award record.

Through his active membership in the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA), the Defense Research Institute (DRI), the American Bar Association (ABA), the CBA Securities Law Committee, and the Financial Planning Association (FPA), John stays current on legal developments and proactively contributes to the ongoing discussion of cutting-edge arguments for his clients.

John grew up with 11 sisters and five brothers-honing his skills arguing and mediating between his 16 siblings.

John S. Monical was the youngest partner ever to be elected Managing Partner of Lawrence Kamin, a position he has held since 2005.


Bar Admissions

  • State of Illinois
  • State of Indiana
  • State of Wisconsin

Court Admissions

  • United States District Courts
    • Northern District of Illinois
    • Eastern District of Wisconsin
    • Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana
  • United States Courts of Appeals
    • Seventh Circuit

Professional Affiliations

  • American Bar Association
    • Illinois Liaison to Committee on State Regulation of Securities
      2009-Present
  • Chicago Bar Association
    • Securities Law Committee
      • Chair (2010-2011)
      • Vice Chair (2009-2010)
      • Legislative Liaison (2008-2009)
  • Defense Research Institute
    • Children’s Products Specialized
    • Litigation Group,
      • Chair (2010-2011)
      • Co-Chair (2007-2010)
  • NIU College of Law Board of Visitors
    • Chair (2010-2014)
    • Vice Chair (2009-2010)
  • Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association, Compliance and Legal Division
  • Financial Planning Association of Illnois
  • National Society of Compliance Professionals
  • Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association
    • Compliance and Legal Division

Professional Experience

  • Lawrence Kamin, LLC
    • Managing Partner: 2005-Present
    • Partner: 2001- Present
    • Associate: 1998-2001
  • Lord, Bissell & Brook, 1994-1998

Education

  • Northern Illinois University College of Law, J.D.,
    magna cum laude, second in class, 1994
  • University of Illinois, Urbana, B.S.
    Computer Engineering, 1991

Lawrence Kamin Wins $1 Million NFA Arbitration
President Trump Issues Four Executive “Actions”: Payroll Tax, Student Loans, Unemployment and Evictions
“Leading Lawyers” Lists Lawrence Kamin Attorneys for 2019
FINRA Warns Firms Not to Lie or “Obfuscate” When Clients Ask About a Departed Rep
Supreme Court Holds Annuities Are Not “Securities” Subject to Illinois Securities Department Regulation
When Does the Broker Protocol Supersede a Notice Provision in a Financial Adviser’s Employment Contract?
Illinois Distributor’s Statute: Navigating the Litigation “Off Ramp” for Non-Manufacturer Defendants After Cassidy v. China Vitamins LLC
Equity Indexed and Variable Annuities: What are the Limitations of a State Securities Regulator’s Authority Over Their Sales Practices? (The ABA Blue Sky Bugle Newsletter, March 2018)
Consider Yourself Warned: Evolution and Future of the Post-Sale Duty
Outside Business Activity*, Practical Compliance and Risk Management for the Securities Industry
Outside Business Activity (Part 3 of 3)
Outside Business Activity (Part 2 of 3)
Outside Business Activity (Part 1 of 3)
Mediation of Securities Disputes: Views from the Advocate and the Mediator
The Post-Sale Duty to Warn and Recall: Are They Preempted When NHTSA or the CPSC Oversees the Manufacturer’s Conduct?

Annuities: What are the Limitations of a State Securities Regulator’s Authority Over Their Sales Practices? (The ABA Blue Sky Bugle Newsletter, March 2018)

Outside Business Activity*, Practical Compliance and Risk Management for the Securities Industry, November-December 2011

Outside Business Activity (Part 1 of 3), NSCP Currents

Outside Business Activity (Part 2 of 3), NSCP Currents

Outside Business Activity (Part 3 of 3), NSCP Currents

National Society of Compliance Professionals, National Membership Meeting Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Mediation of Securities Disputes: Views from the Advocate and the Mediator, American Bar Association, Section of Litigation, Securities Litigation Committee

“The Post-Sale Duty to Warn and Recall: Are They Preempted When NHTSA or the CPSC Oversees the Manufacturer’s Conduct?”, Defense Research Institute Products Liability Conference, Juvenile Products Breakout Session

Illinois Distributor’s Statute: Navigating the Litigation “Off Ramp” for Non-Manufacturer Defendants After Cassidy v. China Vitamins LLC 

Consider Yourself Warned: Evolution and Future of the Post-Sale Duty

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† Select attorneys have received this recognition