About Us

Dedicated to delivering the best legal defense possible.

Every member of our team, from our attorneys to our support staff, is committed to defending our clients with a level of compassion, dedication, and expertise that you won’t find at other firms.

We are dogged in our approach and care deeply about proving our clients did the best anyone could given the circumstances, so we can get their lives back to normal. If you’re facing legal trouble and need a caring team that can deliver the very best outcome, let’s talk.

“He handles the courtroom like a master... I think the judges felt bad for the opposing counsel as they were so obviously overmatched.”

— Dr. Jack Perlmutter

“Richard Hickey is an outstanding attorney who can combine personal skills with a unique intellectual ability and commitment.”

— Dr. Steven Sauerberg

Meet your team.

 

Richard Hickey

Founder & Managing Partner

Mr. Hickey is an attorney by trade, and a teacher at heart. He’s a born problem-solver who believes that the best strategies are grounded in jury education, storytelling, and looking at an issue from all sides to formulate a position that judges and juries readily accept. Most of all, he takes pride in being someone people can count on to get them through difficult times.

  • Throughout his career, Mr. Hickey’s commitment to excellence has helped him compile countless victories for his clients in jury trials, bench trials, arbitrations, and mediations, as well as a multitude of appellate victories on important legal issues. He began his legal career at Wildman, Harold, Allen & Dixon in 1980, working his way up to Equity Partner. He went on to become the founder and managing partner at Hickey, Melia & Associates in 1995, Hickey, O’Connor, & Battle in 2016, and Hickey & Associates in 2018.

    Over the years, he has received vast recognition for his services in the areas of medical malpractice defense and corporate law. Mr. Hickey completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign) receiving Phi Eta Sigma, Phi Beta Kappa, and Magna Cum Laude honors before graduating with Cum Laude honors from the University of Illinois Law School.

    Mr. Hickey has held leadership roles in several prestigious legal organizations since he began his career. He served as the Treasurer, Secretary, Vice President, President (2009-2010), and a member of the Board Of Directors for the Society of Trial Lawyers in addition to serving on numerous panels and committees, including the Chicago Bar Association and National Futures Association.

    His passions for legal education and mentorship have led him to write a multitude of articles for major publications and win multiple mentorship awards. He’s also taught and lectured for a number of renowned institutions, including the Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education and the University of Illinois.

Organizations & Membership

Chicago Bar Association

State of Illinois Bar Association 

American Bar Association

ABA Litigation Section

Society of Trial Lawyers (Treasurer, Secretary, Vice President, President, & Board of Directors)

Legal Awards & Recognition

AV Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review (The highest possible honor for legal and ethical standards)

Top Attorneys Award for Medical Malpractice, Commercial & Labor Litigation 

Lifetime Achievement Award issued by Jury Verdict Reporter

 

Dan Hofert

Of Counsel

Mr. Hofert  has been a mainstay of our team for many years. He has more than 35 years of legal experience in the areas of medical malpractice, health law, and litigation, and believes in delivering clients the best possible outcome with a commitment to the details, kindness and compassion for his clients, and a relentless pursuit of justice.

  • After graduating from Elmhurst College, he went on to earn his law degree from the IIT Chicago Kent College of Law and received a Master’s Degree in healthcare law (LLB) from DePaul University in May 2004. His first appointment was as Associate General Counsel to the Special Deputy to the Director of Insurance of the State of Illinois in 1986 and 1987.

    He went on to serve as an Associate Attorney, specializing in medical malpractice and health law for the law firms of French, Kezelis, & Kominiarek and Hilfman & Fogel; and Of Counsel with Hickey, Melia, & Associates; Hickey, O’Connor, & Battle; and most recently, Hickey & Associates.

    Mr. Hofert cares deeply about giving back and is highly involved in Emotions Matter, a national charity dedicated to providing peer support, education, and advocacy for those with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), having served as an officer, Board Member, and Executive Board Member.

Organizations & Membership

Chicago Bar Association

State of Illinois Bar Association 

American Bar Association

Emotions Matter (Board Member, Executive Board Member, Officer)

Board of Condominium, Hawaii

 

Claire McNally

Associate

Ms. McNally has been working with Hickey & Associates since 2022. She is an accomplished public speaker with a passion for advocacy, legal research, and working directly with clients to identify the best solutions to fit their needs.

  • Her passions for advocacy and law have taken her around the world. As an undergraduate, she studied History and Arabic & Islamic Studies at Villanova University. She then went on to earn her Master’s Degree in International Law and Global Affairs from The American University in Cairo. There she won the African Moot Court of Human and People’s Rights, and directed a research project with the European Union and Center for Migration and Refugee Studies. 

    Before joining Hickey & Associates, Ms. McNally graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Illinois College of Law, where she served as the Managing Editor of the Law Review. Later, she served as a member of the Trial Advocacy and Moot Court programs, and as the lead attorney on two federal civil rights cases in the Central District of Illinois through the Federal Civil Rights Clinic.

    In her personal life, Ms. McNally enjoys traveling, live sports, and reading murder mysteries, especially those by Karin Slaughter.

Organizations & Membership

Immigration Law Society (Vice President, ‘20 - ‘22) - American University of Cairo

Public Interest Law Foundation (President, ‘20 - ‘22) - University of Illinois College of Law

Women’s Law Society (Lectures Co-Chair, ‘19 - ‘22) - University of Illinois College of Law