Charles Haskins
Clifford Law Offices
Medical malpractice, plaintiff's personal injury

Results matter. It's why Charles Haskins, a medical-malpractice and personal-injury lawyer with Clifford Law Offices, has already developed a reputation as one of the most talented young trial attorneys in the city. Even before hitting his 30th birthday, Haskins has delivered an impressive number of successful verdicts and settlements for his clients. 

Michael Bonamarte with Levin & Perconti said that Haskins' legal prowess is impressive for an attorney of any age, but is especially so for one as young as Haskins. 

"The sheer number of jury trials Chuck has taken to verdict is unique," Bonamarte said. "At 29, he's tried more cases than many trial lawyers have tried in their entire careers. He's going to be a force for years to come."

Haskins has prepared and tried to verdict several complex and catastrophic medical-malpractice, premises liability and product liability lawsuits. 

James Stamos with Stamos & Trucco faced off against Haskins in a Will County trial in March. Stamos said this was a hard-fought case that relied in great part upon the jury's perception of the plaintiff’s testimony. The plaintiff, a husband whose wife had died, made several claims that opened the door to cross-examination that could have weakened his case. 

Haskins was responsible both for preparing the witness and presenting him. Haskins' preparation, and the manner of his questioning, made it impossible for Stamos to effectively attack the plaintiff. Stamos said he had to forego those areas of cross-examination. 

"This showed great skill in anticipating my attack and preparing the witness so that the substance and manner of his testimony would make that potential area of cross-examination counterproductive," Stamos said. "I was very impressed with that performance that showed great skill and subtlety far beyond what I would expect from someone of his experience. I have known many people who have been named to the Forty Under 40 list, but very few who deserve it as much as Chuck."

His peers say Haskins possesses the dedication, work ethic, knowledge and skill to become a top attorney for decades. Perhaps Haskins is following the example set by his parents. Both his mother and father are attorneys.

"I knew Chuck had the discipline, motivation and ambition to achieve anything he wished to be," said Thomas Prindable, attorney with Cogan & Power P.C.

Haskins has worked closely with partners Keith Hebeisen and Brad Cosgrove at Clifford Law Offices, two of the busiest trial lawyers in Chicago. Haskins participated as second chair with Cosgrove in six jury trials in 2018, among them a $4.5 million verdict in DuPage County for a woman seriously injured by a revolving door. 

In another case, Cosgrove and Haskins earned a $900,000 verdict for a dog bite victim. The client rejected a $400,000 offer. 

Haskins also second-chaired a month long trial culminating in a $21.5 million verdict for the death of a young boy who drowned in a Chicago Park District pool, overcoming the government body’s tort immunity.