Loretto Kennedy, a Principal with Chuhak & Tecson and the firm’s Co-General Counsel, represents a diverse group of clients, including product manufacturers, retailers, contractors, start-ups, non-profits and local public entities. She counsels them on a broad range of matters, which encompass contract, aviation, products liability and coverage disputes at both the trial and appellate levels.
As the current leader of the firm’s Aviation practice group, she has represented major aviation entities in multi-district, multi-forum litigation arising out of various domestic and foreign airline accidents, including international litigation concerning the accident involving TANS Peru Flight 204 near Pucalla, Peru, two accidents near Medan, Indonesia, involving Mandala Airlines Flight 091 and Garuda Flight 152, and more recently lengthy litigation arising out of a domestic incident at Chicago Executive Airport. Other representations have included serving as lead counsel defending an architect against an owner’s defective design claim related to a $25 million laboratory facility and defending large telecommunications companies and vertical transportation systems.
In addition, Loretto also counsels self-insured clients who use commercial risk managers and third-party administrators. She also advises corporations, start-ups and individuals on a broad array of matters, including business planning, risk management, corporate formation, negotiations and dispute resolution.
Each year, Loretto serves on a Chuhak & Tecson committee, including previous service to the Operations Committee, Litigation Committee, Finance Committee, Associate/Paralegal Oversight Committee, Professional Education Committee and Technology Committee. She currently serves as co-chair of the Business Development & Marketing Committee and was appointed Co-General Counsel to the firm in 2020. Loretto is also a founding member of the firm’s Women Helping Women program.
Loretto has been an active member of the Chicago Bar Association, having served on its board of managers and several terms on the Judicial Evaluation Committee. She has also been a principal performer in the Association’s Christmas Spirits Production. In her spare time, she can be found honing her skills as an artisan candle maker and a wanna be torch singer.
