Judge Clare E. McWilliams: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

Circuit Court of Cook County (Law Division), Department Room 2310

Illinois ARDC Bar #: None (5/13/1988)

Biography

The Hon. Clare E. McWilliams is a Circuit Judge for the Cook County Circuit Court in Illinois. She was elected to the bench in 2004 and re-elected in 2010 and 2016. Judge McWilliams is currently assigned to the Trial Section of the Law Division.

During her tenure on the bench, McWilliams has also been assigned to the First and Second Municipal Districts and served as Supervising Judge of the Cook County Asbestos Docket.

McWilliams earned a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Political Science from Eastern Illinois University in 1983 and completed her J.D. at the University of Illinois at Chicago, John Marshall Law School, in 1988.

After graduating from law school and until her election, McWilliams worked as an attorney in private practice, specializing in matrimonial law.

She was named Judge of the Year by the American Board of Trial Advocates Illinois (2015).

Recent Cases by Hon. Clare E. McWilliams

ROBERT ARENS-vs-A.O. SMITH CORPORATION,A.W. CHESTERTON COMPANY,AIR & LIQUID SYSTEMS CORPORATION as Successor By Merger to BUFFALO PUMPS, INC.,AURORA PUMP COMPANY,BRAND INSULATIONS, INC.,CARRIER CORPORATION, a Delaware Corporation,CLEAVER-BROOKS, INC…

On June 6, 2023 an asbestos - non-jury case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge Clare E. McWilliams presiding.

93 Files

Filed

Jun 06, 2023

Status

Disposed

Judge

Hon. Clare E. McWilliams 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Clare E. McWilliams

Court

Circuit

County

Cook County, IL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Asbestos - Non-Jury

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Mass Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 18, 2025

Robert Fogarty -vs- A.O. Smith Corporation,Air & Liquid Systems Corporation,Amoco Oil Company,Amoco Chemical Company,Amoco Corporation,BP America,BP Amoco Chemical Company,BP Amoco Corporation,Armstrong International, Inc.,Aurora Pump Company, ET AL

On May 30, 2023 an asbestos - jury case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge McWilliams, Clare presiding.

55 Files

Filed

May 30, 2023

Status

Reopen

Judge

Hon. McWilliams, Clare 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for McWilliams, Clare

Court

Circuit

County

Cook County, IL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Asbestos - Jury

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Mass Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 18, 2025

VIRGINIA KLEPCZAREK -vs- BAYER HEALTHCARE LLC,BWDAC INC,CARLISLE INDUSTRIAL BRAKE & FRICTION INC FKA MOTION CONTROL INDUSTRIES INC,CONOPCO INC,DCO LLC fka Dana Companies LLC Individually and successor in interest to Victor Gasket Manufacturing Compa…

On May 19, 2023 an asbestos - jury case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge McWilliams, Clare presiding.

43 Files

Filed

May 19, 2023

Status

Disposed

Judge

Hon. McWilliams, Clare 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for McWilliams, Clare

Court

Circuit

County

Cook County, IL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Asbestos - Jury

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Mass Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 18, 2025

Robert Burrell -vs- Cano Martinez

On May 5, 2023 a motor vehicle - jury case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge Clare E. McWilliams presiding.

1 File

Filed

May 05, 2023

Status

Disposed

Judge

Hon. Clare E. McWilliams 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Clare E. McWilliams

Court

Circuit

County

Cook County, IL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Motor Vehicle - Jury

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 18, 2025

ROBERT LINK,CLAUDETTE LINK-vs-A.W. CHESTERTON COMPANY,A.O. SMITH CORPORATION,AURORA PUMP COMPANY,BRAND INSULATIONS, INC.,BURNHAM, LLC f/k/a BURNHAM BOILER CO.,CARRIER CORPORATION, a Delaware Corporation,CLEAVER-BROOKS, INC.,CRANE COMPANY,DAP, INC.,E…

On March 27, 2023 an asbestos - non-jury case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge McWilliams, Clare presiding.

72 Files

Filed

Mar 27, 2023

Status

Disposed

Judge

Hon. McWilliams, Clare 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for McWilliams, Clare

Court

Circuit

County

Cook County, IL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Asbestos - Non-Jury

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Mass Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 18, 2025

RICHARD MUELLER-vs-A.W. CHESTERTON COMPANY,ABB, Inc., as Successor In Interest to ITE Electrical,ARMSTRONG INTERNATIONAL INC.,BNS LLC, f/k/a BNS Co., f/k/a BROWN & SHARPE MANUFACTURING COMPANY,BORGWARNER MORSE TEC, LLC,BORGWARNER, INC.,BRONSON & BR…

On February 21, 2023 an asbestos - non-jury case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge Clare E. McWilliams presiding.

135 Files

Filed

Feb 21, 2023

Status

Pending

Judge

Hon. Clare E. McWilliams 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Clare E. McWilliams

Court

Circuit

County

Cook County, IL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Asbestos - Non-Jury

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Mass Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 10, 2025

BRIAN JEFFS-vs-A.W. CHESTERTON COMPANY,AIRBUS AMERICAS, INC.,AIRBUS DEFENSE AND SPACE, INC.,ALLISON TRANSMISSION, INC.,AVCO CORPORATION, Individually, and as Successor in Interest to LYCOMING ENGINES, f/k/a LYCOMING FOUNDRY AND MACHINE COMPANY,BAS…

On February 6, 2023 an asbestos - non-jury case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge Clare E. McWilliams presiding.

90 Files

Filed

Feb 06, 2023

Status

Pending

Judge

Hon. Clare E. McWilliams 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Clare E. McWilliams

Court

Circuit

County

Cook County, IL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Asbestos - Non-Jury

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Mass Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 18, 2025

PAUL CAVENDER vs 3M COMPANY et al

On January 26, 2023 an asbestos - jury case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge Clare E. McWilliams presiding.

Filed

Jan 26, 2023

Judge

Hon. Clare E. McWilliams 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Clare E. McWilliams

Court

Cook County

County

Cook County, IL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Asbestos - Jury

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Mass Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 29, 2023

DONALD ZIMMERMAN-vs-A.W. CHESTERTON COMPANY,BORGWARNER MORSE TEC, LLC,BORGWARNER, INC.,COTTA TRANSMISSION COMPANY, LLC,CROWN, CORK & SEAL, USA, INC.,DAP, INC.,EATON CORPORATION,ENSTAR HOLDINGS LLC, Individually, and as Subsidiary of ENSTAR GROUP LT…

On December 19, 2022 an asbestos - non-jury case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge McWilliams, Clare presiding.

31 Files

Filed

Dec 19, 2022

Status

Pending

Judge

Hon. McWilliams, Clare 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for McWilliams, Clare

Court

Circuit

County

Cook County, IL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Asbestos - Non-Jury

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Mass Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 21, 2025

SHELDON BIERMAN-vs-A.W. CHESTERTON COMPANY,BEAZER EAST, INC. formerly known as KOPPERS COMPANY, INC.,BMI REFRACTORY SERVICES, INC., as Successor in Interest to ADIENCE, INC.,BRAND INSULATIONS, INC.,CROWN, CORK & SEAL, USA, INC.,DAP, INC.,EATON CORP…

On November 30, 2022 an asbestos - non-jury case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge McWilliams, Clare presiding.

45 Files

Filed

Nov 30, 2022

Status

Disposed

Judge

Hon. McWilliams, Clare 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for McWilliams, Clare

Court

Circuit

County

Cook County, IL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Asbestos - Non-Jury

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Mass Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 18, 2025

MARGARET GLOVER,ARCHIE GLOVER-vs-A.W. CHESTERTON COMPANY,BODYCOTE THERMAL PROCESSING, INC. Individually and Successor-in-Interest to LINDBERG HEAT TREATING, INC.,CRANE COMPANY,DAP, INC.,FMC CORPORATION,FOSTER WHEELER ENERGY CORP.,GARDNER DENVER, I…

On October 6, 2022 an asbestos - non-jury case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge Clare E. McWilliams presiding.

53 Files

Filed

Oct 06, 2022

Status

Disposed

Judge

Hon. Clare E. McWilliams 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Clare E. McWilliams

Court

Circuit

County

Cook County, IL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Asbestos - Non-Jury

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Mass Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 18, 2025

ALLEN YOUNGREN et al vs A.O. SMITH CORPORATION et al

On August 4, 2022 an asbestos - non-jury case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge Clare E. McWilliams presiding.

Filed

Aug 04, 2022

Judge

Hon. Clare E. McWilliams 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Clare E. McWilliams

Court

Cook County

County

Cook County, IL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Asbestos - Non-Jury

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Mass Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 29, 2023

TRACY NELSON,MATTHEW NELSON-vs-WALGREEN, CO.,CHATTEM CHEM INC,COLGATE PALMOLIVE CO,ESTEE LAUDER INC,JEWEL FOOD STORES INC,LOREAL PARIS USA,LOREAL USA PROD INC,PFIZER INC,SANOFI AVENTIS US LLC,ESTEE LAUDER CO INC, ET AL

On August 2, 2022 an asbestos - non-jury case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge Clare E. McWilliams presiding.

16 Files

Filed

Aug 02, 2022

Status

Pending

Judge

Hon. Clare E. McWilliams 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Clare E. McWilliams

Court

Circuit

County

Cook County, IL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Asbestos - Non-Jury

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Mass Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 18, 2025

DAVID ORTMAN,MICHAEL ORTMAN, Special Administrator estate David Ortman-vs-A.O. SMITH CORPORATION,A.W. CHESTERTON COMPANY,AIR & LIQUID SYSTEMS CORPORATION as Successor-By-Merger to BUFFALO PUMPS, INC.,BAY STATE ABRASIVES, INC.,BLACKMER PUMP COMPANY,…

On August 2, 2022 an asbestos - non-jury case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge Clare E. McWilliams presiding.

57 Files

Filed

Aug 02, 2022

Status

Disposed

Judge

Hon. Clare E. McWilliams 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Clare E. McWilliams

Court

Circuit

County

Cook County, IL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Asbestos - Non-Jury

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Mass Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 18, 2025

WAYNE WOHLFERT,JEFEREY WOHLFERT SPECIAL ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF WAYNE WOHLFERT-vs-A.O. SMITH CORPORATION,A.W. CHESTERTON COMPANY,ABB, Inc., as Successor-In-Interest to ITE Electrical,AIR & LIQUID SYSTEMS CORPORATION as Successor-By-Merger to…

On August 2, 2022 an asbestos - non-jury case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge Clare E. McWilliams presiding.

75 Files

Filed

Aug 02, 2022

Status

Disposed

Judge

Hon. Clare E. McWilliams 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Clare E. McWilliams

Court

Circuit

County

Cook County, IL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Asbestos - Non-Jury

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Mass Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 21, 2025

Michael Moody,KATHY HAGGART,MICHAEL MOODY,KATHY HAGGART -vs- ABB, Inc.,Air & Liquid Systems Corp.,American Optical,Armstrong International, Inc.,Aurora Pump Company,Blackmer Pump Company,BW IP, Inc.,Cleaver Brooks, Inc.,Crane Co.,Crown Cork & Seal C…

On June 2, 2022 an asbestos - jury case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge McWilliams, Clare presiding.

65 Files

Filed

Jun 02, 2022

Status

Disposed

Judge

Hon. McWilliams, Clare 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for McWilliams, Clare

Court

Circuit

County

Cook County, IL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Asbestos - Jury

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Mass Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 18, 2025

JOHNNIE WALKER-vs-A.O. Smith Corporation,A.W. Chesterton Company,ABB, Inc., as Successor-In-Interest to ITE Electrical,Air & Liquid Systems, Corporation, as Successor-by-Merger to Buffalo Pumps, Inc.,Armstrong International, Inc.,Aurora Pump Company…

On May 17, 2022 an asbestos - non-jury case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge McWilliams, Clare presiding.

64 Files

Filed

May 17, 2022

Status

Disposed

Judge

Hon. McWilliams, Clare 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for McWilliams, Clare

Court

Circuit

County

Cook County, IL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Asbestos - Non-Jury

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Mass Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 18, 2025

Samuel Porter,Pamela Porter,Samuel Porter,Pamela Porter,Samuel Porter,Pamela Porter -vs- 3M COMPANY,A.W. CHESTERTON COMPANY,AIR & LIQUID SYSTEMS CORP., as successor-by-merger to BUFFALO PUMPS, INC.,ARMSTRONG INTERNATIONAL INC.,ARMSTRONG PUMPS, INC.,…

On May 10, 2022 an asbestos - jury case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge Clare E. McWilliams presiding.

144 Files

Filed

May 10, 2022

Status

Disposed

Judge

Hon. Clare E. McWilliams 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Clare E. McWilliams

Court

Circuit

County

Cook County, IL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Asbestos - Jury

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Mass Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 18, 2025

Trydahl, David vs 3M COMPANY et al

On May 9, 2022 an asbestos - jury case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge Clare E. McWilliams presiding.

Filed

May 09, 2022

Judge

Hon. Clare E. McWilliams 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Clare E. McWilliams

Court

Cook County

County

Cook County, IL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Asbestos - Jury

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Mass Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 08, 2023

J&B Mechanical Systems, Inc., a corporation-vs-Krieger Kiddie Corporation, a corporation d/b/a Once Upon A Child, New Uses, Platos Closet-Chicagoland and Clothes Mentor-Chicagoland

On May 5, 2022 a breach of contract - non-jury case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge Clare E. McWilliams presiding.

1 File

Filed

May 05, 2022

Status

Disposed

Judge

Hon. Clare E. McWilliams 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Clare E. McWilliams

Court

Circuit

County

Cook County, IL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Breach of Contract - Non-Jury

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 01, 2025

SIMMONS, LYNDA et al vs A.O. Smith Corporation et al

On April 29, 2022 an asbestos - non-jury case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge Clare E. McWilliams presiding.

Filed

Apr 29, 2022

Judge

Hon. Clare E. McWilliams 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Clare E. McWilliams

Court

Cook County

County

Cook County, IL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Asbestos - Non-Jury

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Mass Torts

Case Last Refreshed

May 26, 2022

THOMAS NIEHAUS,MARY NIEHAUS,THOMAS NIEHAUS-vs-A.W. Chesterton Company,H.B. Fuller Company,Union Carbide Corporation,Uniroyal, Inc.,Crown, Cork and Seal, USA, Inc.,John Crane, Inc. fka Crane Packing Company,DAP, Inc.,Goulds Pumps, Inc.,Sterling Flui…

On April 29, 2022 an asbestos - non-jury case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge Clare E. McWilliams presiding.

71 Files

Filed

Apr 29, 2022

Status

Disposed

Judge

Hon. Clare E. McWilliams 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Clare E. McWilliams

Court

Circuit

County

Cook County, IL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Asbestos - Non-Jury

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Mass Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 18, 2025

DENNIS MESSEX et al vs 3M COMPANY et al

On April 28, 2022 an asbestos - jury case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge Clare E. McWilliams presiding.

Filed

Apr 28, 2022

Judge

Hon. Clare E. McWilliams 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Clare E. McWilliams

Court

Cook County

County

Cook County, IL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Asbestos - Jury

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Mass Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 30, 2023

CORNELIA WISMER,GARY WISMER,KYNA VERNON-vs-A.W. Chesterton Company,H.B. Fuller Company,Union Carbide Corporation,Uniroyal, Inc.,Crown, Cork and Seal, USA, Inc.,Domco Products Texas, Inc.,Mannington Mills, Inc.,John Crane, Inc. fka Crane Packing Com…

On April 15, 2022 an asbestos - non-jury case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge Clare E. McWilliams presiding.

26 Files

Filed

Apr 15, 2022

Status

Disposed

Judge

Hon. Clare E. McWilliams 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Clare E. McWilliams

Court

Circuit

County

Cook County, IL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Asbestos - Non-Jury

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Mass Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 18, 2025

Discover if Hon. McWilliams is the right judge for your case based on their ruling history.

View Analytics Dashboard

About

Clare E. McWilliams
Current Appointment Circuit Court of Cook County (Law Division), Department Room 2310	Circuit Court of Cook County (Law Division), Department Room 2310
Education J.D., University of Illinois at Chicago, John Marshall Law School - 1988 Bachelor's degree, Eastern Illinois University - 1983	J.D., University of Illinois at Chicago, John Marshall Law School - 1988 Bachelor's degree, Eastern Illinois University - 1983