Edward G. Zaknoen
Practice Areas
Edward Zaknoen is a seasoned litigator with over 30 years of experience handling complex civil litigation across a wide range of practice areas. His work spans toxic torts, product liability, negligence, fraud, RICO, antitrust, real estate, patent infringement, director and officer liability, personal injury, breach of contract, and breach of fiduciary duty. He is known for his strategic approach to trial practice, deep procedural knowledge, and success in high-stakes litigation.
Ed has represented clients in federal and state courts across the country and has served as lead or co-counsel in numerous high-profile trials, including multi-month federal cases and complex civil actions involving Fortune 500 companies and government agencies. His litigation background includes significant work with major law firms and private practice, consistently delivering results through trial advocacy and skilled negotiation.
Representative Matters
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Successfully tried a three-day bench trial in Cook County involving adverse possession of a multi-unit building and prevailed on appeal
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Conducted Markman hearings and secured substantial settlements in patent infringement litigation
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Obtained favorable jury verdicts and settlements in personal injury and medical malpractice cases
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Represented a major tobacco company in antitrust and fraud litigation brought by the State of Washington; eight-week jury trial
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Defended racketeering claims brought by the U.S. Department of Justice against a major tobacco company in a nearly year-long federal bench trial
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Represented a federal government receiver in investigations and litigation against corporate officers and directors, resulting in significant settlements
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Filed an amicus curiae brief before the United States Supreme Court on behalf of a nonprofit foundation in a First Amendment case
Prior Experience
Before joining Waveland Law Group, Ed practiced at Winston & Strawn LLP, where he was part of the trial teams in some of the firm’s most complex and nationally significant civil litigation. He also co-founded Zaknoen & Zaknoen, LLC, focusing on trial advocacy and litigation strategy for both individuals and corporate clients.
Education and Licensure
Ed earned his Juris Doctor from Indiana University School of Law – Bloomington, cum laude, where he also served on the Law Journal’s editorial staff. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science from Indiana University.
He is admitted to practice in the Illinois state courts, the Northern and Central Districts of Illinois, the Trial Bar of the Northern District of Illinois, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.