Brad’s legal work concentrates in appellate practice and he has a significant sub-concentration in workers' compensation and procedure-related appeals. He has been with the firm since 1991 and became a partner in 1999. Brad handles all aspects of civil appeals, ranging from preparation of initial appeal documents through the drafting of appellate briefs and oral argument. He has handled a number of procedural-related appeals, with issues ranging from venue to forum non conveniens. He has also tried several cases, including jury trials.

Brad handles workers' compensation cases before the Workers' Compensation Commission, the circuit court, and the Appellate Court, Workers' Compensation Commission Division, and focuses much of his workers' compensation practice on understanding and handling complex jurisdictional issues, both at the circuit court and appellate court level. Brad's extensive experience in handling judicial reviews of Workers' Compensation Commission decisions has given him statewide recognition and he is regarded as one of the lading authors on jurisdictional issues.

Brad has authored more than 325 appellate briefs and argued more than 225 appellate court cases, resulting in more than 100 published decisions, and numerous unpublished appellate court orders. He has appeared before every Illinois Appellate Court District, the Illinois Supreme Court, the Missouri Appellate Court, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, and has significant experience handling interlocutory appeals, in particular those under Supreme Court Rules 306 and 308. He also handles administrative reviews.

He has authored several amicus curiae briefs before the Illinois Supreme Court on behalf of the Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel. His most recent amici were filed in Fennell v. Illinois Central R.R. Co., 2012 IL 113812, involving interstate forum non conveniens, and Folta v. Ferro Engineering, 2015 IL 118070, involving the workers' compensation exclusive remedy provision and asbestos claims.

In addition to the practice of law, Brad has been active in a number of professional organizations and activities. He is a past President of the Illinois Appellate Lawyers Association (2013-2014) and past Chair of the Peoria County Bar Association CLE Committee. He has published dozens of articles in numerous prominent journals and magazines, including the Illinois Bar Journal, Southern Illinois University Law Journal, Northern Illinois University Law Journal, Illinois Defense Counsel Quarterly, DRI For the Defense, and Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education.

Since 2015 he has been the co-editor-in-chief of the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education volume on Illinois Appellate Practice: State and Federal, for which he authored or co-authored eight chapters, including the chapter on workers’ compensation appeals. He has also authored the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education chapter on procedures and appeals for the Workers’ Compensation Practice volume.

Brad writes frequently on appellate and workers' compensation issues, has taught courses on workers' compensation law for Illinois Central College, and has lectured on appellate practice before the Illinois State Bar Association, Peoria County Bar, Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, and Southern Illinois University School of Law. He is the current co-editor of the firm's workers' compensation newsletter, published monthly, past Editor-in-Chief of the Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel publication The Illinois Defense Counsel Quarterly, and Editor-in-Chief of the Illinois Defense Counsel Survey of the Law for 2016.

Brad is also a published military aviation author with over 40 articles and eleven books on various aviation-related topics and has lectured at the Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola.

He is a member of the drone law practice group, which advises clients on issues relating to drone operations, and a member of the aviation and airports, governmental, civil rights, and the military law practice groups.

Brad is the chair of the firm’s Attorney Skills Program, which is an internal skills training program for the firms’ associates.

• Weaver v. Illinois Workers’ Compensation Comm’n 2016 IL App (4th) 150152WC A section 19(h) petition to modify permanency benefits must be filed within 30 months of the Commission's decision, irrespective of whether the Commission's underlying decision is appealed. An appeal does not toll the time for filing.
• Bowman v. Ottney 2015 IL 119000 - Successfully defended circuit court ruling to deny the plaintiff's motion for substitution of judge in a refiled case, when same judge had made substantive rulings in prior litigation that had been voluntarily dismissed.
• Hartney Fuel Oil Company v. Hamer 2013 IL 115130 Suit was filed by a retail sales taxpayer against our client, The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), the Illinois Department of Revenue, and a Cook County municipality contending that the assessment of back sales taxes of $20+ million was incorrect. Ultimately, the RTA's position was upheld in the Illinois Supreme Court. While the taxpayer was not required to pay back taxes pursuant to the Taxpayer Bill of Rights, the Illinois Supreme Court invalidated existing regulations in adopting a "multi-factor test" as argued for by the RTA, a decision which had statewide application to sales tax sourcing favoring governmental entities such as our client.
  
• Glass v. DOT Transportation, Inc. 393 Ill. App. 3d 829 (1st Dist. 2009) In the forum non conveniens setting, deference may be given to the selection of forum by a representative plaintiff, who is also a beneficiary under the Wrongful Death Act.
• Rosewood Care Center, Inc. v. Caterpillar, Inc. 226 Ill. 2d 559 (2007) Illinois does not recognize a preexisting debt rule when interpreting the statute of frauds, but rather applies a "main purpose" or "leading object" rule, which states that when the main purpose or leading object of the promisor/surety is to subserve or advance its own pecuniary or business interest, the promise does not fall within the statute of frauds.
• Deichmueller Const. Co. v. Industrial Comm’n 151 Ill. 2d 413 (1992) Employer's appeal bond must be signed by individual with authority to bind employer to financial obligation represented by bond; attorney cannot sign unless authorized by said individual.
• Chaney v. Yetter 315 Ill. App. 3d 823 (4th Dist. 2000) Client of borrowing employer was entitled to protection of exclusive remedy provisions of Workers' Compensation Act for claim filed by borrowed employee.
• Pearson v. Industrial Comm’n 318 Ill. App. 3d 932 (3d Dist. 2001) Outlines steps to establish volunteer fireman status and rejects application of emergency doctrine.
• Bush v. Catholic Diocese 351 Ill. App. 3d 588 (3d Dist. 2004) A party has no First Amendment right to disseminate information obtained and gathered in preparation for trial.
• Craigmiles v. Egan 248 Ill. App. 3d 911 (4th Dist. 1993) Appellate court's prior order refusing to grant leave to appeal of order granting new trial did not have preclusive effect on ability to raise issue in subsequent appeal.
• Bernardoni v. Industrial Comm’n 362 Ill. App. 3d 582 (3d Dist. 2005) Frye standard for evaluating admissibility of expert or scientific evidence applies to workers' compensation proceeding; Illinois does not recognize claims for multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS).
• Radosevich v. Industrial Comm’n 367 Ill. App. 3d 769 (4th Dist. 2006) Section 19(i) interest runs from date of award; Section 2-1303 interest commences only when circuit court enters judgment on award under Section 19(g).
• S & H Floorcovering, Inc. v. Workers’ Compensation Comm’n 373 Ill. App. 3d 259 (4th Dist. 2007) Court signaled intent to give deference to arbitrator's fact-findings where Commission reverses arbitrator's conclusions without the Commission having received any new evidence.
• Gridley v. State Farm 329 Ill. App. 3d 422 (5th Dist. 2002), rev’d, 217 Ill. 2d 158 (2005) Forum non conveniens doctrine applied to support dismissal of class action suit filed in Illinois, where plaintiff and actions giving rise to claim occurred in Louisiana.

• "Preserving Error for Review in Illinois Trial Proceedings" chapter in Illinois Civil Appeals: State and Federal, Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (2018) - Read Excerpt
• "Stays and Appeal Bonds" chapter in Illinois Civil Appeals: State and Federal, Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (2018) - Read Excerpt
• "Workers' Compensation Appeals" chapter in Illinois Civil Appeals: State and Federal, Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (2018) - Read Excerpt
• "Interlocutory Appeals of Certain Orders" chapter in Illinois Civil Appeals: State and Federal, Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (2018) - Read Excerpt
• “Interlocutory Appeals of Certified Questions” chapter in Civil Appeals: State and Federal, Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (2018) - Read Excerpt
• “Judicial Reviews in the New World of eFiling,” Illinois Defense Counsel Quarterly (2018) - Download Article
• "Federal Court of Appeals Strikes Down FAA’s Registration Rule Governing Recreational Drones," Heyl Royster News (2017) - Read Article
• "A Primer on Recent Cases Impacting Workers’ Compensation Defense," Illinois Defense Counsel Quarterly Monograph (2016) - Download Article
• "Workers’ Compensation: Never Pay Judgment Interest if You are Not Facing a Section 19(g) Judgment," Illinois Defense Counsel Quarterly (2016) - Download Article
• "Survey of Illinois Law: Workers' Compensation—Understanding Interest and Enforcement Issues in Workers' Compensation Cases Following an Award of Benefits," Southern Illinois University Law Journal (2015) - Download Article
• "Interlocutory Appeals of Certified Questions" chapter in Civil Appeals (Illinois): State and Federal 2015, Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education
• "Workers' Compensation Appeals" chapter in Civil Appeals (Illinois): State and Federal 2015, Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education
• "Motion Practice" chapter in Civil Appeals (Illinois): State and Federal 2015, Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education
• "Direct Appeals - Rule 302," chapter in Civil Appeals Illinois: State and Federal 2015, Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education
• "Motions for Supervisory Orders and Mandamus" chapter in Civil Appeals (Illinois): State and Federal 2015, Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (2015)
• "Preserving Error For Appeal" chapter in Civil Appeals (Illinois): State and Federal, Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (2015)
• "Appeal Bonds and Stays of Judgment" chapter in Civil Appeals (Illinois): State and Federal 2015, Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education
• "Interlocutory Appeals of Certain Orders" chapter in Civil Appeals (Illinois): State and Federal 2015, Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (2015)
• "Survey of Illinois Law: Workers' Compensation," Southern Illinois University Law Journal (2014) - Download Article
• "A Nunc Pro Tunc Order Cannot Be Used To Impart Rule 304(a) Language To A Prior Final, But Not Appealable, Order Where There Is No Indication Such A Finding Was Made When The Original Order Was Entered," The Brief (2014) - Read Article
• "Fourth Amendment Protections Applied to Medical Care Provided to Pre-Gerstein Arrestees," Illinois Defense Counsel Quarterly (2014) - Download Article
• "Recent Advances of the Traveling Employee Doctrine," For the Defense (2014) - Download Article
• "Recent Cases Emphasize Need for Reform with Section 19(f) Appeal Bonds in Workers' Compensation Judicial Reviews," Illinois Defense Counsel Quarterly (2014) - Download Article
  
• "The Mailbox Rule and Workers’ Comp: A Better Route for Circuit Court Review," Illinois Bar Journal (2013) - Download Article
  
• "Survey of Illinois Law: Workers' Compensation," Southern Illinois University Law Journal (2010) - Download Article
  
• "Rule 315(a) Petitions for Leave to Appeal: A Practice Primer," Illinois Defense Counsel Quarterly (2009) - Download Article
  
• "Workers' Compensation Practice on Appeal," Northern Illinois University Law Review (2002)
• "Evaluating Your Case for Appeal," Illinois Defense Counsel Quarterly (2008) - Download Article
• "Supreme Court Rule 306(a) Interlocutory Appeals Are Not Tolled By the Filing of a Motion for Reconsideration," Illinois Defense Counsel Quarterly (2007) - Download Article
  
• "Preserving Error For Appellate Review," Illinois Defense Counsel Quarterly (2006) - Download Article
  
• "Appellate Motion Practice," Illinois Defense Counsel Quarterly (2005) - Download Article
  
• "Appeal Bonds in Civil Cases - Recent Rule Modifications," Illinois Defense Counsel Quarterly (2004) - Download Article
  
• "Economic Disability and Earning Capacity: A Historical Analysis for Wage Differential Claims," Illinois Defense Counsel Quarterly Monograph (2006) - Download Article
• "Securing Appeal Bonds in Workers' Compensation Appeals From the Commission," Illinois Defense Counsel Quarterly (2003) - Download Article
  
• “Three Recent Appellate Court Jurisdictional Rulings Should Give Practitioners Pause When Filing Reviews,” Illinois Defense Counsel Quarterly (2018) - Download Article

• “Accident Caused by Risks Resulting from Everyday Activities: Moving Toward a New Standard? A Panel Discussion”
  Heyl Royster's 33rd Annual Claims Handling Seminar 2018
• “Improving Your Presentations in Court and in Professional Practice”
  Peoria County Bar Association 2017
• “Instant Replay: Significant Developments in Case Law”
  Heyl Royster's 32nd Annual Claims Handling Seminar 2017
• “Insights into Appellate Practice ‘Danger Zones’”
  Central Illinois Women’s’ Bar CLE Luncheon 2016
• “Preserving Error for Appeal”
  HarrisMartin’s Midwest Asbestos Litigation Conference 2016
• “Review of Significant Appellate Decisions of the Past Eighteen Months”
  Heyl Royster's 31st Annual Claims Handling Seminar 2016
• “Temporary Transitional Employment”
  Heyl Royster's 31st Annual Claims Handling Seminar 2016
• “Case Law Update: The Most Significant Worker's Compensation Decisions of 2015 and Early 2016”
  Heyl Royster's 31st Annual Claims Handling Seminar 2016
• “Using Interlocutory Appeals in Your Case”
  Winnebago County Bar Association 2015
• “Stays, Bonds and Sureties”
  Illinois Appellate Practice Institute-Chicago, Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education 2015
• “Appellate Issues in Workers' Compensation Cases Affecting Governmental Employers”
  The Crossroads of Governmental Law, Workers' Compensation & You, Heyl Royster Fall Seminar 2015
• “Social Security Disability Offsets in Workers’ Compensation”
  National Business Institute 2015
• “Better Briefs and Oral Arguments”
  Advanced Appellate Practice Seminar, Peoria County Bar 2015
• “Administrative Appeals for Governmental Lawyers”
  Peoria County Bar Association 2015
• “Workers Compensation Appeals”
  Sterling Education Services 2015
• “A Year in Review: The Most Significant Workers’ Compensation Appellate Decisions of 2014 and Early 2015”
  Heyl Royster's 30th Annual Claims Handling Seminar 2015
• “Appellate Considerations for Governmental Clients – What You Need to Know About the Appeals Process, Appellate Options, and Evaluating Your Case for Appeal”
  Heyl Royster's 30th Annual Claims Handling Seminar 2015
• “Judicial Reviews to the Circuit Court”
  ALA Administrative Seminar 2014
• “Interlocutory Appeals”
  McLean County Bar Association 2014
• “Judicial Reviews”
  PCBA Workers’ Compensation Winter Series 2013
• “Workers’ Compensation Case Law Update and Using an Appeal to Your Advantage”
  Lorman Business Institute 2013
• “Writing Better Briefs”
  McLean County Bar Association 2013
• “Preserving Error for Appeal”
  ISBA Webcast 2013
• “Appellate Practice (Moot Court teams and Advanced Moot Court Course)”
  Southern Illinois University School of Law 2013
• “Appeal Bonds and Sureties”
  Appellate Lawyers Association 2012
• “Workers' Compensation Appeals to the Commission, Circuit and Appellate Court”
  Winnebego County Bar Association 2011
• “Recent Changes and Developments in Illinois Workers' Compensation Appeals/Recent Cases”
  IDC Fall Seminar 2011
• “Oral Argument Tips and Strategies”
  Illinois Appellate Lawyers' Association Seminar 2010
• “Appellate Interlocutory Practice”
  IICLE 2008
• “Workers Compensation & Administrative Law for Paralegals”
  Instructor, Illinois Central College 2005 & 2006
• “Legal Writing for Paralegals”
  Instructor, Illinois Central College 2006

• Named to the Illinois Super Lawyers list (2008-2018). The Super Lawyers selection process is based on peer recognition and professional achievement. Only five percent of the lawyers in each state earn this designation.
• Selected as a Leading Lawyer in Illinois in the area of Civil Appellate Law. Only five percent of lawyers in the state are named as Leading Lawyers.
• Meritorious Service Award by the Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel

• Appellate Lawyers Association (President, 2013-2014; Director 1997-99; Rules Chairman, 1999-2001; Rules Committee, 2005-06; event coordinator; past moot court competition judge)
• Illinois State Bar Association (Workers' Compensation Section Council, 1998-2000)
• Peoria County Bar Association (Chair, Appellate Practice Committee, 2017; Chair, CLE Committee, 2013-2014; Winter Series Chair, Appellate Practice, 2012, 2014, 2015)
• Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel (Illinois Defense Counsel Quarterly – past Editor-in-Chief; columnist) (Chair, Appellate Committee)
• Defense Research Institute (Member)

• State Courts of Illinois
• United States Court of Appeals, Seventh and Eighth Circuits
• United States District Court, Central and Southern Districts of Illinois 

• Immanual Lutheran Church (Past President and past Board Member) (Past Chair, Relocation Committee)
• East Peoria Community Baseball (Past Board Member and Travel Team Coach)
• Washington Community Baseball (Past Travel Team Assistant Coach)
• Robein Elementary School (Past Assistant Baseball Coach)
• Second Season Fall Wood Bat Baseball (Coach, 2001-2003, 2006, 2007)