Matthew B. Knight
Matthew B. Knight is one of the principals of the firm of Knight, Hoppe, Kurnik, & Knight, Ltd. Mr. Knight concentrates his practice in the fields of construction litigation, municipal defense, and general liability cases. He has extensive experience in handling wrongful death, catastrophic personal injury, premises liability, product liability, and significant property damage cases.
Mr. Knight has successfully defended cases in multiple jurisdictions over the past 12 years. He has achieved successful outcomes for his clients via motion practice and alternative dispute resolution. Mr. Knight has developed a reputation in successfully negotiating settlement in cases involving significant damages and complex factual and legal issues. Additionally, Mr. Knight has gained invaluable experience trying cases as lead attorney and as second chair throughout his career.
Mr. Knight is licensed to practice before the state bars of Illinois and Indiana. Additionally, he is admitted to the Northern District of Illinois and Northern District of Indiana. He is also a member of the Illinois State Bar Association. Mr. Knight earned a B.G.S. in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Kansas. He received his Juris Doctor degree from the John Marshall Law School in 2004.
Career highlights
- As lead attorney in Stachulak v. Union Pacific Railroad (Cook County), Mr. Knight obtained a not guilty verdict on behalf of Union Pacific. Plaintiff claimed he sustained $400,000 in medical bills and $2.4 million in past and future lost time from work stemming from a work accident while attempting to refuel a locomotive. The defense admitted liability but denied proximate cause. Plaintiff asked the jury for $5,571, 475. Affirmed on appeal.
- As lead attorney in Hensley v. City of Rochester (Fulton County- Indiana), Mr. Knight obtained a directed not guilty verdict on behalf of a city-run golf course. Plaintiff was injured while fishing in a state-sponsored trout release and was struck in the face by a golf ball. The defense argued the Plaintiff assumed the risk and it was otherwise immune from liability under provisions of the Indiana Tort Claims Act and Recreational Use Statute. Post-trial motions were denied.
- As second chair attorney in Aldridge v. Specific Cruise Systems, Inc. (Northern District of Illinois), Mr. Knight helped secure a not guilty verdict on behalf of a manufacturer of an electronic stair system installed in Plaintiff’s RV. The defense argued the step control module operated as intended and the Plaintiff’s accident could not have occurred in the manner she claimed. Plaintiff asked the jury for $2.5 million.