Overview
Sulema Medrano Novak is an accomplished and award-winning trial lawyer with extensive experience leading trial teams to verdict, particularly in cases related to commercial disputes and insurance claims. Sulema honed her courtroom skills as an Illinois state prosecutor, and she is known for defending her clients in complex disputes related to breach of contract, regulatory compliance, business torts and professional liability. In addition to representing clients in insurance and commercial litigation, she is an active advocate for women and diverse members of the legal community.
Insurance Litigation
Sulema is sought after by insurance and annuity companies for her experience and judgment in defending complex coverage disputes, individual litigation, regulatory compliance, beneficiary disputes, interpleader claims and bad-faith claims. She has successfully defended wrongful-death claims, arbitrated large-scale first-party claims and obtained scores of dismissals for her clients in federal and state courts. Sulema helps clients avoid the cost of litigation through successful motion practice and mediation.
Commercial Litigation
Sulema defends property owners, securities firms and construction, transportation, health care and manufacturing clients against claims of consumer fraud and bad faith, breach of contract, products liability, professional liability, information privacy, personal injury and other commercial disputes. She has successfully mediated multimillion-dollar claims and has achieved favorable settlements and dismissals for clients.
Services & Industries
Related Industries
Credentials
Bar Admissions
Illinois
Court Admissions
U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois
Education
Chicago-Kent College of Law
J.D.
Michigan State University
B.A. cum laude
Insights & Events
News
Leadership & Community
Professional Associations
- Hispanic National Bar Association — Chair Commission on Women, Region IX President, 2017-19
- American Bar Association — Standing Committee on Gun Violence
- Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois — Board of Directors, 2017−18
Civic Activities
- Chicago Board of Education
- Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep — Board of Trustees
- Latino Justice — Board of Directors
- Mujeres Latinas en Accion — Board of Directors
Honors
- Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois — Latina Lawyer of the Year, 2018
- Hispanic National Bar Association — Top Lawyer Under 40 List, 2017
- The Law Bulletin — Top 40 Illinois Attorneys Under 40, 2016
- Chicago-Kent Alumni Awards — Outstanding Young Alumna Award, 2019