Preview PDF
Overview
Joseph T. Tripoli is a Partner in the Chicago office of Freeman Mathis & Gary,LLP where he serves as a strategic advisor to insurers and businesses on high-exposure general liability and insurance coverage matters.
Mr. Triopoli focuses his practice on evaluating, managing, and resolving complex liability risk, often involving catastrophic bodily injury and wrongful death claims. He represents contractors and hospitality and retail businesses in premises liability, auto liability, and other significant loss exposures. He is frequently engaged on high-exposure matters where early evaluation and strategic direction are critical to avoiding outsized loss. From pre-suit investigation through trial, he works with claims professionals and risk managers to develop practical strategies that reduce uncertainty and drive efficient resolution.
In addition to his liability practice, Mr. Tripoli advises insurers on first- and third-party coverage issues, including bad faith, extra-contractual exposure, and policy interpretation under commercial general liability, auto, and umbrella policies. His combined litigation and coverage experience enables him to provide integrated guidance on liability exposure and coverage risk.
Mr. Tripoli is a trial-tested litigator who has represented clients through all phases of litigation, including jury and bench trials, arbitrations, and appeals. He has handled complex insurance fraud matters, including medical provider fraud and staged loss investigations, and has counseled Fortune 500 insurers on civil recovery strategies.
Mr. Tripoli writes and speaks on issues impacting the insurance and liability landscape. His work has been featured by the Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel, the Illinois State Bar Association, and JD Supra. He also serves as an arbitrator for the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Mr. Tripoli has been recognized as an Emerging Lawyer by Leading Lawyers Magazine since 2019 and has been named to Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch.
Bar Admissions
Illinois
- Supreme Court of Illinois
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
Education
J.D. (cum laude)
Thomas M. Cooley Law School
B.A.
University of Dayton
Publications & Engagements
- 2025 FMG Insurance Coverage Annual Report, JD Supra(Contributor)
- “The Next BIPA?: Why Insurance Claim Professionals Should Pay Attention to GIPA,” FMG BlogLine (co-author)
- “Videos Don’t Lie: Illinois Appeals Court Revives Bodily Injury Lawsuit Based on Video Footage of Accident,” FMG BlogLine
- “Tow‑truck ride home leads to no‑duty ruling under Illinois negligence law,” FMG BlogLine , JD Supra
- “Mental health warning signs at work: Can employers still rely on workers’ comp exclusivity,” FMG BlogLine,
- JD Supra
- “When a free meal becomes a legal minefield: Lessons from Rivas v. Benny’s Prime Chophouse,” FMG BlogLine, JD Supra
- “Man’s Best Friend…or Just a Liability?” HeplerBroom Blog (January 7, 2021)
- “First District Affirms Summary Judgment Due to Lack of Notice; Rules No Legal Duty Owed Based on the Defendant Business Owner’s Internal Safety Policy.” HeplerBroom Blog (October 6, 2020)
- “Does Simply Refiling a Case Under the Old Case Number Meet the Statutory Requirement of Commencing a New Action?” HeplerBroom Blog (August 11, 2020)
- “Funny Warning Signs: Pure Comedy or Can They Also Be Legally Sufficient?” HeplerBroom Blog (August 4, 2020); ISBA Illinois Lawyer Now Digest (August 6, 2020)
- “First District Upholds Summary Judgment for Landowner Based on Illinois’ Statute of Repose for Construction,” HeplerBroom Blog (July 2, 2020)
- “Alleged Evidentiary Errors Insufficient to Overturn Verdict for Plaintiff Involved in Crane Accident,” IDC Survey of the Law (June 2019)
- “New Trial Ordered Because Expert Could Be Cross-Examined on Barred Evidence That Formed Basis for Opinion,” IDC Survey of the Law (June 2019)
- “Appellate Court Affirmed Summary Judgment Including Remittitur of Multi-Million Dollar Future Damages Award,” IDC Survey of the Law (June 2019)
- “Plaintiff’s Decedent Broken Chain of Causation and Wrongful Death Action Cannot Be Based on Claim of Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress,” IDC Survey of the Law (June 2016)
- “Are Self-Executing Sanction Orders Viable?” IDC Quarterly, Vol. 23, No. 3 (2013) (co-author)
Affiliations
- DRI – Association of Lawyers Defending Businesses
- Claims and Litigation Management Alliance
- Illinois Leading Lawyer
Awards & Recognition
- Illinois Leading Lawyers, Leading Lawyer (2025), Emerging Lawyer (2019-2023)
- Best Lawyers, Ones to Watch (2023)
Classes/Seminars Taught
- “The Impact of COVID-19 on Claims Handling” Ohio Association of Mutual Insurance Companies, Cold Weather Catch Up Event (Webinar, 2020)
- “Recent Trends Involving Bodily Injury and Property Insurance Fraud Claims: Staying Ahead of the Curve!” Annual Insurance Fraud Conference, Illinois Chapter of the International Association of Special Investigation Units (Chicago, IL, 2019)
Practice Sections
Interdisciplinary Teams
Education
J.D. (cum laude)
Thomas M. Cooley Law School
B.A.
University of Dayton