Heyl Royster

Ann Barron

Shareholder
Edwardsville, IL

Joined Firm in 2013

Ann's approach to litigation is to question everything, believing that it is essential to prepare an initial comprehensive evaluation of every case and be realistic from the outset. Her motto is to leave no stone unturned to determine what happened, why, and who is at fault.

  • Appellate Practice Group Co-Chair
  • Former In-House Counsel at Valero
  • Experienced with Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and the United States Environmental Protection Agency
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Ann Barron

Attorney in Edwardsville, IL

Early in her practice, a mentor on the Illinois Supreme Court required Ann Barron to learn by doing, a philosophy that continues to guide her to never turn away from the toughest challenges. Those experiences allowed her to hone her legal writing skills and knowledge of Illinois law and procedure, giving her a unique perspective on litigation from document preservation, to setting reserves, to keeping those in the C-suite informed. Today Ann co-chairs the firm's Appellate practice group and concentrates her practice on civil litigation, including environmental and business-related disputes, medical malpractice litigation, and personal injury defense.

In over 15 years of practice in southern Illinois and Missouri, Ann has handled cases in Illinois county courts from Springfield south, all Illinois appellate courts, and the Seventh Circuit, appreciating each court's unique vibe and interesting history. She understands that it is essential to know the community where you are practicing, believing that a lawyer's intellectual curiosity allows them to learn the law and statutory scheme about any practice area and then apply that to the facts of the case and the jurisdiction where the case is pending. This approach has led to Ann's exceptional competence in all stages of litigation, from suit filing through a petition for writ of certiorari to the United States Supreme Court.

Ann enjoys spending time with her family outside the office, traveling to Yellowstone, attending Broadway and the St. Louis Speaker Series, or watching the Edwardsville High School Marching Band competitions.  She values their time together. An Illini alum and proud supporter of the orange and blue, you will know when Ann is in the office; look for the orange Jeep. Ann stays active with her alma mater continuing to serve on various boards and panels.

Credentials

Education

J.D., University of Illinois College of Law, magna cum laude

B.S., University of Illinois, Commerce

Licensure(s) and Admission(s)

State Courts of Illinois

State Courts of Missouri

State Courts of Texas

United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit

United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit

United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Illinois

United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois

Unites States Supreme Court

Professional Affiliations

Association of Corporate Counsel

Illinois Appellate Lawyers Association

Illinois Defense Counsel

Illinois Society of Healthcare Risk Management, Secretary

Illinois State Bar Association 

Madison County Bar Association

The Missouri Bar Association

Community Involvement

Children’s Bereavement Center of South Texas, former Board of Directors (2007 – 2010)

City Year San Antonio, Board of Directors (2012 – 2013)

United Way, Agency Review Committee (2010 – 2011)

Power of the Purse (2016 – 2019)

Scholarship Committee: (2012)

University of Illinois College of Law, Alumni Association (2005 – present)

Board of Visitors (2008 – 2011)

Valero, Volunteer Council (2009 – 2012)

Results

  • Wilson v. Norfolk and Western Railway Company, 187 Ill. 2d 369, 718 N.E.2d 172 (1999) – The Illinois Supreme Court ruled in the case of first impression that a railroad employee must prove physical contact or the threat of physical contact to recover damages for intentional infliction of emotional distress under the FELA.

Presentations/Publications

Presentations

Case Law Update: Illinois and Missouri,” Heyl Royster's 34th Annual Claims Handling Seminar (2023)

Harnessing the Power of Community: Philanthropy and the Importance of Giving Back,” Women Lead with Illinois Law Summit (2020)

Current Topics in Litigation,” Illinois Society of Healthcare Risk Managers (2019)

Document Production in Litigation – Beyond the Medical Record,” Chicagoland Healthcare Risk Management Society Webinar (2018)

PSO or MSA: Improving Healthcare Without Increasing Liability,” ISHRM and CHRMS (2018)

Furry Companions – Service Animals, Emotional Support Animals, Therapy Animals and Pets in Medical Facilities,” Chicago Healthcare Risk Managers Society Winter Meeting (2018)

Negligent Credentialing Claims: The Best Attack,” Heyl Royster's 32nd Annual Claims Handling Seminar (2017)

Case Law Update,” Heyl Royster Governmental Seminar (2016)

21st Century Liability Issues: Drones, Cyber Liability, and Privacy Issue,” Heyl Royster's 30th Annual Claims Handling Seminar (2015)

How to Handle the Midnight Call and The Building Blocks of an Effective Defense,” Heyl Royster 29th Annual Claims Handling Seminar (2014)

Publications

In Utero” Medical Records Deemed Discoverable Without Birth Mother’s Consent,” Illinois Defense Counsel Quarterly (2022)

A Comparison of Delegatto and Brown: Using Consent Forms to Obtain Summary Judgment on Apparent Agency,” Illinois Defense Counsel Quarterly (2022)

Legal Disability Can Toll the Statute of Limitations and Statute of Repose Despite a Pending Lawsuit,” Illinois Defense Counsel Quarterly (2022)

The Illinois Medical Studies Act Privilege After Grosshuesch and Eid,” International Association Defense Counsel’s Defense Counsel Journal (2017)

Awards/Recognition

  • Leading Lawyer℠ by Law Bulletin Media - Environmental Law; Medical Malpractice Defense Law; Personal Injury Defense: General; Transportation Defense Law: Including Aviation/FELA/Maritime

 

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