Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2019 
Bradley M. Cosgrove is a leading trial attorney with extensive experience representing individuals and families in wrongful death, catastrophic injury, transportation, aviation, product liability, and complex medical malpractice litigation. Known for meticulous case preparation, strategic thinking, and commanding courtroom advocacy, he has built a reputation for handling technically complex cases involving transportation systems, unsafe road and construction conditions, product failures, medical, engineering, and regulatory issues. His ability to distill highly technical evidence into clear, compelling arguments has made him a trusted advocate in litigation involving catastrophic loss.
Throughout his career, he has secured some of the largest verdicts and settlements in Illinois history, always focused on helping clients navigate life-changing tragedies while pursuing accountability and meaningful change. His results span a broad range of catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases, including a $60 million settlement for a woman rendered paraplegic in an unsafe highway construction zone, a $50 million verdict arising from the sexual assault of a child at a summer camp, and a $25 million settlement for a bicyclist who was severely injured when a truck turned into her path. He has represented clients in state and federal courts throughout Illinois and across the country and has argued cases before multiple Illinois Appellate Court districts and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.
As a member of Clifford Law Offices’ aviation practice group, Mr. Cosgrove has contributed to international litigation arising from major aviation disasters, including the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 damages trials and the federal litigation brought against Boeing. He currently leads the firm’s litigation arising from the 2025 crash of UPS Cargo Flight 2976 in Louisville, Kentucky. He represents the families of nine individuals who lost their lives, along with numerous people injured on the ground when the Boeing cargo aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff and erupted into a massive fire. His work includes coordinating with aviation experts, analyzing technical evidence, and developing liability theories, guiding clients through every stage of litigation while pursuing answers and justice on their behalf. He works closely with engineers, accident reconstruction specialists, human factors experts, and other multidisciplinary professionals to build technically rigorous cases on behalf of victims and their families.
Fearless in the courtroom throughout his career, Mr. Cosgrove has earned a reputation as one of Illinois’ leading trial attorneys, securing some of the state’s largest verdicts in catastrophic injury, wrongful death, transportation, and medical malpractice litigation. After trying his first jury case just one day after receiving his law license, he quickly established himself as a formidable courtroom advocate. His record includes securing Illinois’ largest medical malpractice verdict, a record $101 million verdict on behalf of a baby who suffered a catastrophic birth injury, as well as a record $66 million judgment on behalf of the family of a 39-year-old mother of four who bled to death following a negligent surgical procedure. His record of trial results and leadership in plaintiffs’ litigation has earned him membership in two of the profession’s highly selective trial lawyer organizations: the Inner Circle of Advocates, an invitation-only organization limited to 100 of the nation’s plaintiffs' trial lawyers, and the International Academy of Trial Lawyers.
That reputation is also reflected in recognition from leading legal publications and organizations. Mr. Cosgrove has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America® as the 2023 “Lawyer of the Year” in the Chicago area for Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs and the 2027 “Lawyer of the Year” in the Chicago area for Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs. He has been named to the “Top 100: 2026 Illinois Super Lawyers® List,” has been selected to the Illinois Super Lawyers® list since 2017, and has been named one of the Top 100 Lawyers in the country by The National Trial Lawyers. He received the Plaintiff Attorney Achievement Award at the Jury Verdict Reporter’s Trial Lawyer Excellence Awards in 2022.
Beyond his litigation practice, Mr. Cosgrove is an active member of the legal profession. He serves on the Board of Managers of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, is an elected Assembly member of the Illinois State Bar Association, and mentors future trial lawyers through the University of Illinois at Chicago, where the 1L Mock Trial Competition is named in his honor. He frequently lectures on trial advocacy, expert witnesses, litigation strategy, and trial preparation, providing experience-based insight at continuing legal education events. He also gives back to the community through the Wounded Warrior Project, continuing a family tradition of public service.
