CHICAGO, May 20, 2004 – The law firm of Christopher T. Hurley & Associates, P.C., today announced a name change, and the addition of two new partners. According to managing partner Christopher T. Hurley, effective immediately, the firm will be known as Hurley McKenna & Mertz. The name change reflects the addition of Mark R. McKenna, 35, and Michael T. Mertz, 32, to the partnership.
Both McKenna and Mertz have practiced with Hurley as associates for a number of years since becoming members of the bar. “Their promotion to partner recognizes their outstanding legal skills. Changing the firm name also recognizes their contributions to the practice, and acknowledges our work as a focused team,” he added. “We have a deep bench of talent, which puts us in a strong position to grow strategically to the benefit of our clients.”
Founding partner Christopher Hurley has been a personal injury trial lawyer for 20 years. Before opening his own practice he was a trial lawyer at Baker & McKenzie, the world’s largest law firm. In addition to medical malpractice, product liability, and wrongful death litigation, Mr. Hurley has a particular interest in protecting the rights of the elderly. He has a bachelor’s degree from Colgate University, and a J.D. from Loyola University Chicago School of Law, where he sponsors a special lecture series on issues facing the elderly. He is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, is included in the peer-nominated “Leading Lawyers” list of top attorneys, and is a frequent speaker and writer on legal topics.
New partner Mark R. McKenna, a native of Chicago, has been with the firm since 1994. He has a bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University, and received his J.D. from the University of Illinois College of Law. He also served a two-year internship at Kirkland & Ellis before attending law school. In addition to his work in personal injury, medical malpractice, construction negligence, and product liability, Mr. McKenna is experienced in civil rights and employment discrimination cases. Working together, Mr. McKenna and Mr. Hurley recently obtained a verdict of $4.2 million for a child who underwent amputation of his right foot due to medical negligence.
