Overview
Briana J. Leatherberry is an experienced litigator who defends insurance, professional liability, and municipal matters. Clients value her meticulous preparation and strategic insight, and they rely on her to provide clear guidance and steady advocacy throughout each stage of litigation.
Prior to joining HeplerBroom, Ms. Leatherberry served as an Assistant State’s Attorney with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office in the Civil Rights and Torts Section and the Conflicts Counsel Unit. There, she defended governmental entities and their employees in high-stakes litigation, including Section 1983 civil rights claims, statutory claims, wrongful death, and personal injury matters in both state and federal courts. Her appellate court briefs resulted in favorable rulings, and she prevailed on an issue of first impression under the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act.
Education
- Michigan State University College of Law, J.D., magna cum laude, with Certificate in Trial Advocacy, 2020
- Manchester University, cum laude, B.S. in Economics, 2017
LAW SCHOOL HONORS/INVOLVEMENT
- Board of Advocates, Vice President (2020)
- Texas Young Lawyers Association, National Trial Competition (2020)
- William W. Daniel National Mock Trial Competition (2019)
- American Association for Justice, Student Advocacy Competition (2018)
- Geoffrey Fieger Trial Practice Institute
- Jurisprudence Award for highest grade in Trial I: Civil Trials
Admissions & Affiliations
- Illinois
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
Practices
Results
- Secured an Illinois Appeal Court reversal and remand of a circuit court order that restored a federal felon’s firearm rights. The Appellate Court held that Illinois courts lack authority to restore firearm rights lost due to a federal conviction. Banks v. State’s Attorney of Cook County, et al. 2025 IL App (1st) 232046.
- Obtained summary judgment in favor of two registered nurses in medical malpractice and civil rights claims alleging inadequate treatment following a concussion. The uncontroverted expert testimony demonstrated that the nurses provided the recommended treatment to plaintiff. Love v. Dart, et al., Case No. 19 C 2762 (N.D. Ill. January 28, 2025).
- Successfully defended before the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals the district court’s grant of summary judgment in favor of defendants. Seventh Circuit affirmed based on plaintiff’s failure to exhaust his administrative remedies prior to filing suit. Wallace v. Delaney, et al., No. 22-2692 (7th Cir. 2024)
- Obtained summary judgment in favor of defendant in wrongful death and survival lawsuit. Estate of Scales v. Cook County Sheriff, Circuit Court of Cook County, Case No. 20 L 1780 (August 2023).
