Bio
With a perspective on risk management informed by deep experience in the insurance industry, Monique Howery counsels clients facing complex commercial litigation, offering strategic guidance to advance their long-term business goals while protecting their legal interests.
Serving clients across a range of industries, Monique focuses her practice on business disputes and litigation, including breach of contract cases, fraudulent transfers, tax disputes, and post-judgment enforcement. She also represents businesses and key executives in matters related to trademark and brand enforcement, white collar criminal defense, publicity rights, and claims stemming from wrongful convictions.
Clients value Monique’s decade-long experience in the insurance industry, which informs her perspective on analyzing risk, minimizing exposure, and managing costs. Adept at handling financially sophisticated issues, Monique has counseled clients in the financial services industry, representing their interests as secured creditors through multiple commercial bankruptcy proceedings, including preference actions, cash collateral disputes, asset sales, and automatic stay issues.
Monique is a passionate advocate for furthering diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal profession and is an active mentor to law students and early-career attorneys.
Experience
Representative Engagements
- Representation of secured lenders in restructuring, foreclosure, and insolvency proceedings.
- Defense of national banking associations and other lenders against consumer complaints, including homeowner bill of rights, TCPA, FCRA, FDCPA, and fraud.
- Substantial experience advising companies on the risks associated with coronavirus, including contract implications and force majeure.
- Representation of companies in modification of commercial contracts due to coronavirus-related performance issues.
- Representation of individual in claims against various government entities and their agents for wrongful conviction and violation of civil rights.
Credentials
Education
Thomas M. Cooley Law School, J.D., 2012
Roosevelt University, M.B.A., 2003
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, B.S., 1995
Bar Admissions
Illinois
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana
U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of Illinois
U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois
U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Illinois
Professional Memberships
Chicago Bar Association
Illinois State Bar Association
Law360
Access to Justice Editorial Advisory Board (2022)
Honors & Awards
Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD), Fellow(2023)
Publications & Presentations
“Debtor Emerges as Victor in Confirmation Battle between Competing Chapter 11 Plans,” (author) Reed Smith R&I Alert, Restructuring & Insolvency News (July 2020)
“Sixth Circuit Clarifies Trigger for Determining Appeal Deadlines,” (author) Reed Smith R&I Alert, Restructuring & Insolvency News (January 2019, Issue 1)
“Profit-Sharing Lease Provision Ruled Unenforceable Pursuant to Section 365(f)(1),” (author) Reed Smith R&I Alert, Restructuring & Insolvency News (January 2018, Issue 1)
“Agricultural Cooperative Associations Owe ‘Special Circumstances’ Duties to Creditors upon Insolvency, Bankruptcy Court Says,” (author) Reed Smith CR&B Alert, Commercial Restructuring & Bankruptcy News (April 2017, Issue 1)
“Bankruptcy Court Rejects Yield Capitalization Method in Determining the FMV of an Unbranded Extended-Stay Hotel,” (author) Reed Smith (January 2017)
Community Service
Professional Council, Executive Committee Chair (2021 – Present)
The Institute for Inclusion in the Legal Profession
Member, Social Impact Incubator Committee (2017 – Present)