Clients rely on Catherine Goldhaber to deliver clear, strategic counsel in complex litigation, with a forward-facing approach tailored to each client’s position. She works closely with legal departments to manage active litigation while identifying ways to reduce future exposure, recognizing that litigation can be a cost center. Catherine is prepared to take matters to trial when necessary but often finds creative, practical solutions that avoid it. She is also known for her longstanding commitment to pro bono service and leadership in community-based legal initiatives.

Catherine Goldhaber brings more than two decades of experience representing clients in high-stakes civil litigation involving toxic torts, product liability and personal injury defense. She serves as national and regional trial counsel, managing multistate dockets and coordinating legal strategy in cases involving asbestos exposure, occupational illness and chemical liability. Catherine regularly appears in state and federal courts across Illinois, Michigan and Missouri.

She represents both international Fortune 500 companies and family-owned businesses, with a significant focus on clients in the manufacturing sector. In each matter, she works to develop a compelling corporate narrative rooted in the company’s history and practices to demonstrate adherence to safety laws and minimize the disruption of litigation. She is a strategist and problem solver who balances trial readiness with a strong record of resolving cases through creative, forward-looking solutions.

In addition to her litigation practice, Catherine advises clients on Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) compliance, particularly in the context of discovery and settlement. Her work includes lien resolution, MSP reporting strategies and collaboration with federal agencies to shape practical compliance protocols. She is often called upon by defense teams across the country to help design scalable, risk-informed MSP processes.

Clients value her intellectual curiosity, adaptability across industries and ability to navigate technical records with clarity and purpose. Longtime client Robert Roberts, VP Global Litigation Counsel (retired, Flowserve Corporation), shared: “In the ten years we have worked together, Catherine has always been both extremely effective and fun to work with. She is a consummate professional yet enjoys what she does (which makes her very good at it)!” Catherine’s ability to synthesize complex facts and maintain momentum toward resolution has earned her a reputation for results-driven advocacy and trusted client relationships.

Beyond her practice, Catherine is deeply committed to pro bono service and civic engagement. She serves on the board of the Greater Chicago Legal Clinic and has represented minors in Cook County guardianship proceedings. She previously chaired her firm’s Pro Bono and Public Service Committee and served on the Chicago Bar Foundation’s board and Young Professionals Board for more than a decade. She has recently joined the board of directors of Chicago Youth Centers, reinforcing her dedication to serving both clients and community.

Areas of Focus

Experience

Representative Matters

  • Obtained defense verdict for joint compound defendant in Cook County, Illinois; plaintiff sought $25.8 million.
  • Secured dismissal in gas explosion case by using schematics to demonstrate no liability for cable company.
  • Argued and won motion to dismiss for lack of personal jurisdiction in asbestos case involving engineered materials.
  • Achieved forum non conveniens dismissal for three clients in asbestos exposure matter.
  • Drafted prevailing brief in Medicare coordination case resulting in favorable ruling in Taylor v. General Electric Company.
  • Obtained defense verdict in jury trial involving insulation sales and a $3.5 million demand.
  • Prevailed on motion to dismiss for international hotel chain by defeating franchisor liability theory.
  • Achieved full relief from $585,000 judgment, including attorney fees and costs, prior to firm’s formal retention.
  • Won summary judgment in asbestos matter despite product identification claims against flooring manufacturer.
  • Serves as national coordinating counsel and trial team member for major corporations in toxic tort litigation.

Additional Work

  • Negotiated settlement language and compliance procedures with more than two dozen plaintiff firms to meet Medicare Secondary Payer Act reimbursement and reporting obligations.
  • Serves as lead trial and discovery counsel for corporations in asbestos litigation, managing litigation strategy nationwide.
  • Demonstrated client misidentification, resulting in regular dismissals in toxic tort litigation.
  • Secured multiple orders dismissing clients from litigation in Illinois due to lack of personal jurisdiction, including one of the first such rulings in Madison County.
  • Obtained defense verdicts in cases involving an insulation supplier and a drywall installer.
  • Launched Chicago office for an out-of-state litigation firm.

Pro Bono Matters

  • Represented a prisoner in a medical negligence case, resulting in a favorable settlement.
  • Represented a parent wrongfully indicated for child neglect after working from home during COVID; vacated the finding.
  • Serves on various legal aid and access-to-justice boards.

Credentials

Education

  • Loyola University Chicago School of Law (J.D., 1999)
  • Michigan State University (B.A., with honors, 1995)

Admissions

Bar Admissions

  • Illinois
  • Michigan
  • Missouri

Court Admissions

  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
  • Trial Bar for the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan

Recognitions

  • Selected among The Best Lawyers in America®, 2025
    • Mass Tort Litigations / Class Actions - Defendants
    • Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
  • Litigation Counsel of America, Fellow
  • Illinois Super Lawyers, 2023-2025
    • "Rising Star," 2012-2013
  • Leading Lawyers, Products Liability Defense Law, Toxic Torts Defense Law, 2016-2021
  • Chicago Bar Foundation, Distinguished Service Award, 2007, 2015
  • Super Lawyers Magazine, "Top 100 Women Attorneys in Michigan," 2014
  • Chicago Lawyer Magazine, Honored as one of seventeen women attorneys in Chicago recognized in the annual edition of "Women in Law," 2013

Presentations

  • Co-presenter, "Medicare and Medicaid Liens in Personal Injury Cases," Strafford CLE Webinar, October 2, 2024
  • Panelist, "Animal Crossing: Medicare Parts C and D," 2024 National Medicare Secondary Payer Network (MSPN) Conference, September 25, 2024
  • Co-presenter, "CMS Final Rule and Section 111 Noncompliance: Reporting Obligations; Audit Methodology; Costly CMPs; Safe Harbor," Strafford CLE Webinar, January 31, 2024
  • Presenter, "Environmental and Midwest Litigation Update," Panel Presentation for a National Insurance Company, October 2023
  • Presenter, "Medicare Reporting and Applicable Civil Money Penalties," DRI Webinar, December 20, 2023
  • Panelist, "Keeping it Civil While Awaiting Civil Money Penalties," HarrisMartin's Midwest Asbestos Litigation Conference, September 20, 2023
  • Presenter, "Medicare and Medicaid Liens in Personal Injury Cases," Strafford CLE Webinar, April 2023
  • Co-presenter, "Ethical Considerations of Medicare Secondary Payer – Does AMP 'Lien' Away from Mandatory-Reporting-of-Everything and is the PAID Act Paying Off?" HarrisMartin's Midwest Asbestos Litigation Conference, September 21, 2022

  • Speaker, "Equian PLRP Update," Perrin Conferences' National Asbestos Litigation Conference, September 2022
  • Presenter, "Current Issues in Legacy Liabilities," Webinar Co-hosted with FARA Recovery and NERA Economic Consulting, May 2022
  • Presenter, "Medicare and Medicaid Liens in Personal Injury Cases," Strafford CLE Webinar, May 2022
  • Presenter, "Analyze the Responsibilities of Plaintiff/Lawyer in Workers Compensation Claims," RISE, Annual Medicare Secondary Payer Master Class, February 2022
  • Presenter, "Lien Resolution," Perrin Conferences' National Asbestos Litigation Conference, September 2021
  • Speaker, "Strategies to Reduce Damages—Pretrial and Trial," Defense Asbestos Litigation Seminar, June 2021
  • Presenter, "And Still……. No Federal Regulations for MSA’s from CMS," RISE, 6th Annual Medicare Secondary Payer Master Class, February 2021
  • Presenter, "Military Benefits 101: Military Healthcare Reimbursement,” American Bar Association Webinar, November 2020
  • Presenter, "Medicare Law: Medicare Parts A/B Healthcare Reimbursement,” American Bar Association Webinar, November 2020
  • Speaker, "MSP Act – Proposed Rule on Civil Money Penalties," DRI's Medicare Secondary Payer Act Task Force, Webinar, April 2020
  • Presenter, "Navigating the Shifting Landscape of Healthcare Liens in Litigation – A 2020 Update," Perrin Conferences' Webinar, April 2020
  • Presenter, "Medicare and Medicaid Liens in Personal Injury Cases: Resolving Healthcare Liens or Claims for Reimbursement, Maximizing Settlement Awards," Strafford CLE Webinar, March 2020
  • Co-Vice Chair, DRI Asbestos Medicine, November 2019
  • Co-presenter, "National Coordinating Counsel Perspective: Striving to Exceed Client Expectations," DRI Asbestos Medicine, November 2019
  • Presenter, "Medicare Secondary Payer Act Update" and "Fact Discovery in Talc Cases," Client Presentation, November 2019
  • Presenter, "Medicare Training: Demystifying Medicare," Client Presentation, October 2019
  • Speaker, "How to Keep Medicare Secondary Payer Act Compliance from Getting You AMP’d Up," HarrisMartin's Midwest Asbestos Litigation Conference, September 2019
  • Presenter, "Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) Issues," Oklahoma Association of Defense Counsel, June 2019
  • Presenter, "Medicare and Medicaid Liens in Personal Injury Cases," Strafford CLE Webinar, March 2019
  • Co-Vice Chair, DRI's Asbestos Medicine Seminar, November 2018
  • Presenter, "Illinois Overview," Client Presentation, May 2018
  • Speaker, "Ethical Considerations Regarding Medicare and Medicaid Liens," DRI 2018 Retail and Hospitality Seminar, May 2018
  • Presenter, "Medicare and Medicaid Liens in Personal Injury Cases," Strafford CLE Webinar, April 2018
  • Co-Vice Chair, DRI's Asbestos Medicine Seminar, November 2017
  • Presenter, "Do You Need ESP to Address MSP? Suggestions on Working with Medicare Advantage Organizations When Settling a Personal Injury Case," Perrin Conferences' Webinar, July 2017
  • Speaker, "National Coordinating Counsel Roundtable," Defense Asbestos Lawyers Seminar (DALS), June 2017
  • Speaker, "Personal Jurisdiction," Client Retreat, May 2017
  • Presenter, "Addressing Medicare and Medicaid Liens in Personal Injury Cases," Strafford CLE Webinar, December 2016
  • Faculty Member, "Legislative, Case Law and Regulatory Trends and Developments,: NBI Personal Injury 101 Seminar, February 2017
  • Speaker, "Historical Background of MSP & the SMART Act," and Panelist, "Special Think Tank Panel: Addressing Industry Concerns to Build Better Processes," Medicare Secondary Payer Master Class, January 2017
  • Speaker, "Medicare Language Releases: How to Construct One, Settlement Documents, Liens and Statutory Fines for Failing to Comply," ACI's Annual Asbestos Claims & Litigation Conference, January 2017
  • Panelist, "Medicare Secondary Payer Compliance," and Co-Vice Chair, DRI's Asbestos Medicine Seminar, November 2016
  • Moderator, "Medicare Compliance," DRI 2016 Retail and Hospitality Seminar, May 2016
  • Panelist, "Navigating the Latest Changes Affecting Conditional Payment Resolution," Healthcare Education Associates: Medicare Secondary Payer Master Class, January 2016
  • Co-Vice Chair, DRI's Asbestos Medicine Seminar, November 2015
  • Panelist, "Jurisdictional Updates: Overview of California, Illinois and Emerging Jurisdictions," Perrin Conferences' Asbestos Litigation Conference: A National Overview & Outlook, September 2015
  • Panelist, "Don’t Forget About Medicare! How to Comply with Medicare Reporting Requirements When Settling Toxic Torts Claims," 2015 ABA Annual Meeting, July 2015
  • Presenter, "Medicare Developments and Requirements," Client Retreat, May 2015
  • Speaker, "Making Smart Plays with MSP," Client Presentation, November 2014
  • Co-Vice Chair, DRI's Asbestos Medicine Seminar, November 2014
  • Panelist, "Risky Business: Medicare Lien Recovery Extending Now to Medicare Advantage Plans - Are You at Risk?" DRI Webcast, February 2014
  • Speaker, "Medicare Secondary Payer, Conditional Payment and Set-Aside Update and Tips," NBI's Advanced Issues in Personal Injury Litigation Seminar, December 2013
  • Presenter, "Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) Liens," and "Ethics in Lien Resolution," NBI's Complex Lien Resolution in Personal Injury Settlements Seminar, December 2013
  • Panelist, "How the Medicare Secondary Payer Act Impacts Employment Litigation," DRI Webcast, December 2013
  • Moderator, "Insuring Your Success - Gain Insight on What Concerns Insurers Today," and Co-Vice Chair, DRI's Asbestos Medicine Seminar, November 2013
  • Panelist, "Women and Business Breakfast," Perrin Conferences' Asbestos Litigation Conference: A National Overview & Outlook, September 2013
  • Panelist, "Mass Torts and MSP: Change Your Thinking," DRI Webcast, DRI's Medicare Secondary Payer Task Force, September 2013
  • Panelist, "Corporate Roundtable," Client Retreat, May 2013
  • Presenter, "Medicare Secondary Payer Act Local Counsel Training," April 2013
  • Speaker, "Medicare Secondary Payer Act and Toxic Torts," Client Seminar coordinated by Perrin Conferences, April 2013
  • Presenter, "Medicare Secondary Payer Act Concerns," Client Seminar, March 2013
  • Panelist, "Medicare - What Defense Attorneys Should Be Looking for When Settling a Case," Asbestos Defense Strategic Summit, November 2012
  • Speaker, "Liability Medicare Set-Aside Workshop: 2012 Update," NBI, October 2012
  • Presenter, "Medicare Secondary Payer Basics," Client Presentation, October 2012
  • Presenter, "Ethics and Medicare Set-Asides," NBI's Medicare Set-Aside Workshop 2012 Webcast, June 2012
  • Co-presenter: "Medicare Secondary Payer Update," Client Retreat, May 2012
  • Panelist, "Medicare Panel," Perrin Conferences, Cutting-Edge Issues in Asbestos Litigation, March 2012
  • Speaker, "Medicare Set-Asides in Personal Injury Settlements," NBI Webcast, December 2011 and February 2012
  • Speaker, "An Update on the Latest Guidance on Medicare Secondary Payer Issues - Making Every Second Count," Perrin Legal Webinar Series, February 2012
  • Speaker, "Settling Cases and Ensuring Compliance with MSP/MMSEA," Focused In-House CLE, January 2012
  • Co-presenter, "Why We Care About Medicare," DRI's Asbestos Medicine Seminar, November 2011
  • Speaker, "Settling Cases and Ensuring Compliance with MSP/MMSEA," Firmwide CLE, September 2011
  • Panelist, "Medicare Update: The Impact of Medicare Reporting Rules on Asbestos Litigation," Perrin Conferences' 2011 Asbestos Litigation Conference: A National Overview and Outlook, September 2011
  • Panelist, "Current Hot Issues (Mass Torts)," Perrin Conferences, Navigating the Medicare Secondary Payer Statute in Workers' Compensation & Liability Claims, March 2011
  • Panelist, "Current Hot Issues (Mass Torts)," Perrin Conferences, Navigating the Medicare Secondary Payer Statute in Workers' Compensation & Liability Claims, December 2010
  • Moderator, "Medicare - How Plaintiffs, Clients and the Government Address Recent Developments Regarding Repayment and Reporting," and Panelist, "Asbestos Medicine 102 Depositions of Critically Ill Plaintiffs and How to Address Lack of Memory Issues," DRI's Asbestos Medicine Seminar, November 2010
  • Firmwide CLE on compliance with and strategies relating to Section 111 of the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007 (MMSEA) (P.L. 110-173), September 2010
  • Speaker, "Keeping the Profession Professional - A Panel Discussion on Ethics in Asbestos Litigation," Perrin Conferences' Asbestos Litigation Conference: A National Overview and Outlook, September 2010
  • Speaker, "The Latest and Greatest Plaintiff, Defendant and Non-Party Investigation," DRI's Asbestos Medicine Seminar, November 2009
  • Speaker, "Women in Business Breakfast Roundtable," Perrin Conferences' Asbestos Litigation Conference: A Comprehensive National Overview and Outlook, September 2009
  • Speaker, "Managing Your Time Effectively," BVR Legal Teleconference, December 2008
  • Panelist, "New Plaintiff and Product Investigation - For the Novice, the Experienced and Everyone Else," DRI Asbestos Medicine Seminar, November 2007
  • Panelist, "The Asbestos Deposition Primer," DRI Asbestos Medicine Seminar, October 2006

Publications

  • Author, "Time To Reform The Medicare Secondary Payer System," Law360, July 21, 2020
  • Co-author, "How The Supreme Court Revived Maritime Asbestos Cases," Law360,  March 27, 2019
  • Author, "Establishing Appeal Rights for Applicable Plans: Here’s What Defendants Should Know..." DRI, July 7, 2015
  • Author, "Guide to Medicare Secondary Payer Issue," DRI, May 2015
  • Author, "Much Ado About Nothing? Change to Illinois Construction Statute of Repose Should Only Apply to Claims Arising from Construction that Occurred After 2004," DRI, The Critical Path, April 21, 2015
  • Author, "Justice For All: Young Professionals Take the Lead in Foundation’s 'Meet The Need' Campaign," CBA Record, October 2005

Professional Activities

  • Association of Defense Trial Attorneys
  • DRI | Association for Civil Defense Attorneys
    • Co-Vice Chair, Asbestos Medicine Seminar, 2014-2019;
    • Center for Law and Public Policy, 2016-2018;
    • MSP Task Force, Chair, 2017-2021; Vice Chair, 2013-2017
  • Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel (FDCC), 2024-present
  • Litigation Counsel of America (LCA), 2023-present
  • Chicago Bar Association
    • Executive Council, Young Lawyers Section, 2003-2005

Community Involvement

  • Chicago Youth Centers
    • Board of Directors, 2024-present
  • Greater Chicago Legal Clinic
    • Board of Directors, 2015-present
  • Chicago Bar Foundation
    • Board of Directors, 2009-2015