Professionals

Jenny M. Vanacker is an associate at Pugh Jones, Johnson & Quant, P.C. in the firm’s Litigation Practice Group. Her practice includes complex civil, medical malpractice, products liability, and employment litigation.

Ms. Vanacker has significant experience defending manufacturers in product liability and toxic tort cases, including multi-party claims involving asbestos exposure. She has represented clients at depositions of plaintiffs, exposure witnesses, and medical experts.  In addition, her experience includes:

• Representation of broadcasting company and its owner in an employment case before the Illinois Supreme Court.

• Representation of major manufacturers in complex products liability claims.

• Jury trial experience representing the City of Chicago in a recent wrongful death lawsuit.

University of Minnesota Law School, J.D., Cum Laude, 2004
University of Wisconsin- Madison, B.A., Summa Cum Laude, 2001
 

During law school, Ms. Vanacker volunteered with a legal aid program through the Minnesota Justice Foundation, and also served as a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters and the law school’s International Student Mentorship Program. She also represented children’s interests as a student attorney as part of the University of Minnesota’s Child Advocacy Clinic.

During her second and third years of law school, Ms. Vanacker worked for the Hennepin County Attorney's Office in the Drug, Property, and Violent Crimes Divisions. She also worked in conjunction with the Minneapolis City Attorney as part of the law school's Domestic Assault Prosecution Clinic, where she first-chaired a domestic assault jury trial.

In 2003, Ms. Vanacker was selected "Best Oral Advocate" at the National Moot Court Region 14 Competition.

Illinois
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
U.S. District Court, Central District of Illinois

American Bar Association

Ms. Norenberg's writings have been published in Newsweek Magazine.