Biography
Carolyn Husmann is a partner in the St. Louis office of Sinars Slowikowski Tomaska, with over 15 years of experience defending companies in Illinois and Missouri courts. She concentrates her practice on toxic tort claims including products and premises liability. With extensive experience in the defense of asbestos personal injury cases, Carolyn is responsible for all aspects of case management including coordinating litigation strategy, motion practice, discovery issues, settlement negotiations, and trial preparation. She is often considered a go-to source for anyone with an asbestos case filed in St. Louis, Missouri.
Carolyn also has appellate experience. She participated in preparation of the amicus curiae filed by the Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel in Nolan v. Weil-McLain, 233 Ill. 2d 416 (2009), one of the significant decisions in Illinois asbestos litigation. In this case, the Illinois Supreme Court overruled the longstanding Lipke exclusionary rule, thereby allowing a defendant in an asbestos case to present evidence of other asbestos exposures in support of its sole proximate cause defense.
Another notable appeal she worked on was Berry v. Am. Standard, Inc., et al., NO. 5-06-0621 (Ill. App. 5th Dist. 5/19/08). Here the Illinois Supreme Court upheld the dichotomy between discovery and evidence depositions, and their uses, under the then standing Illinois Supreme Court Rules.
Carolyn is also an active member of several bar associations both locally and nationally. Locally, she is a proud member of the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis. Throughout her membership, which began in law school, she has held numerous leadership positions, including serving on the Board of Governors for the past 7 years. She also frequently volunteers for BAMSL’s High School Mock Trial Program and Motion for Kids Holiday Party. Nationally, she is a proud member of DRI — The Voice of the Defense Bar, where she has continued her services in leadership. She currently serves on the Philanthropic Activities Committee for the national organization, which is responsible for coordinating and publicizing DRI’s public service projects at its seminars and meetings. She further serves as a member in the leadership of the Women in the Law Committee for DRI, including Vice Chair of Philanthropic Activities and a member of the WITL Seminar Planning and Marketing Committees.
During law school, Carolyn was a Judicial Intern at the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District, with Judge Robert G. Dowd, Jr. and served on the Saint Louis University Law Journal.
Carolyn also has appellate experience. She participated in preparation of the amicus curiae filed by the Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel in Nolan v. Weil-McLain, 233 Ill. 2d 416 (2009), one of the significant decisions in Illinois asbestos litigation. In this case, the Illinois Supreme Court overruled the longstanding Lipke exclusionary rule, thereby allowing a defendant in an asbestos case to present evidence of other asbestos exposures in support of its sole proximate cause defense.
Another notable appeal she worked on was Berry v. Am. Standard, Inc., et al., NO. 5-06-0621 (Ill. App. 5th Dist. 5/19/08). Here the Illinois Supreme Court upheld the dichotomy between discovery and evidence depositions, and their uses, under the then standing Illinois Supreme Court Rules.
Carolyn is also an active member of several bar associations both locally and nationally. Locally, she is a proud member of the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis. Throughout her membership, which began in law school, she has held numerous leadership positions, including serving on the Board of Governors for the past 7 years. She also frequently volunteers for BAMSL’s High School Mock Trial Program and Motion for Kids Holiday Party. Nationally, she is a proud member of DRI — The Voice of the Defense Bar, where she has continued her services in leadership. She currently serves on the Philanthropic Activities Committee for the national organization, which is responsible for coordinating and publicizing DRI’s public service projects at its seminars and meetings. She further serves as a member in the leadership of the Women in the Law Committee for DRI, including Vice Chair of Philanthropic Activities and a member of the WITL Seminar Planning and Marketing Committees.
During law school, Carolyn was a Judicial Intern at the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District, with Judge Robert G. Dowd, Jr. and served on the Saint Louis University Law Journal.
Publications and Presentations
- “Current Trends in St. Louis Asbestos Litigation”, Harris Martin’s Midwest Asbestos Litigation Conference (St. Louis, MO 2016)
Notable Cases
She participated in preparation of the amicus curiae filed by the Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel in Nolan v. Weil-McLain, 233 Ill. 2d 416 (2009), one of the significant decisions in Illinois asbestos litigation.
Another notable appeal she worked on was Berry v. Am. Standard, Inc., et al., NO. 5-06-0621 (Ill. App. 5th Dist. 5/19/08). Here the Illinois Supreme Court upheld the dichotomy between discovery and evidence depositions, and their uses, under the then standing Illinois Supreme Court Rules.
Another notable appeal she worked on was Berry v. Am. Standard, Inc., et al., NO. 5-06-0621 (Ill. App. 5th Dist. 5/19/08). Here the Illinois Supreme Court upheld the dichotomy between discovery and evidence depositions, and their uses, under the then standing Illinois Supreme Court Rules.
