Thomas Demetrio Brings Justice to Family of Late Legendary Attorney Through Two Appellate Wins

When Aurora Attorney William C. Murphy, better known as Bill Murphy, died at the age of 95, he left behind a legendary career.  Murphy’s 68-year career as a trial lawyer was remarkable and included advocacy that resulted in the abolition of sovereign immunity in Illinois by the Illinois Supreme Court. 

According to the Daily Herald newspaper, Bill’s notable work also included the establishment of the "exposure rule" holding that it’s the exposure of a victim to asbestos that triggers coverage in insurance policies. 

So when the attorney’s family turned to Thomas Demetrio for help, Tom didn’t hesitate to begin working, pro bono, to help secure funds owed to Bill’s estate by his former firm from a case that Bill had referred to the firm.   

In 2019, Tom successfully argued to an Illinois appellate court panel that the trial court’s order to dismiss the lawsuit was erroneous. 

This ruling allowed Murphy’s estate another chance to recover the agreed-upon fee.  

While the breach of contract matter was tried before a Kane County jury, after the plaintiff rested his case in chief, the trial judge directed a verdict in favor of the defendant.  Thus, a second appeal took place, and, again, the Appellate Court reversed, holding the trial judge committed reversible error, and the matter was sent down for retrial. 

Just before the second trial of the case was to start, the parties agreed to a confidential settlement. 

“Bill Murphy was an extraordinary lawyer and it’s been an honor representing his good name, memory and estate,” Tom said in an interview with The Daily Herald.  

“Tom Demetrio’s work on this case is the perfect example of what it means to be an advocate for our clients. From start to finish—which lasted more than 7 years—Tom’s purpose in this case was to simply do the right thing. As a young lawyer, seeing this in action was more valuable to me than any fee we could have received.,” said Corboy & Demetrio Attorney Mitchell W. Bild, who worked closely with Demetrio on the matter.