Margaret V. McQuaid

Associate

Margaret "Maggie" McQuaid is an Associate Attorney at Carter & Valenti, focusing her practice in civil litigation and advocacy.  Margaret’s history with the firm runs deep, having originally begun her journey with the team as a law clerk when the team was part of Esp Kreuzer Cores, LLP. This early tenure provided her with foundational insight into the firm's core values, client base, and collaborative culture from the very start of her legal career.

Prior to returning to the group in her current role at C&V, Margaret gained courtroom and trial skills serving as an Assistant Public Defender in DuPage County. This experience in high-stakes litigation instilled a deep-seated commitment to client advocacy, allowing her to navigate complex legal landscapes with resilience, poise, and agility. Margaret has also represented clients on appeal and in post-conviction habeas matters in both State and Federal court, honing her written advocacy and sharpening her ability to raise and preserve issues for review in the higher courts. 

Driven by an fierce dedication to justice, Margaret approaches every case with a relentless work ethic and an unwavering commitment to her clients. She is an exceptionally tenacious advocate, never backing down from complex legal battles or challenging adversaries. Her passion for the law is rooted in a deep desire to give her clients a powerful voice, ensuring that their rights are aggressively protected and their interests are meticulously represented from inception to resolution. 

Outside of the courtroom, Margaret loves traveling to Spanish-speaking countries to immerse herself in the culture and continually sharpen her Spanish language skills. Closer to home, she maintains an active and vibrant lifestyle centered on health and the arts. She is a dedicated yoga practitioner and loves spending her weekends discovering live music performances and dancing. 

• Transportation & Trucking Litigation
• Motor Vehicle Litigation
• Premises Liability
• Product Liability
• Construction Litigation
• Commercial Litigation
• Catastrophic Injury & Wrongful Death Defense

 John Marshall Law School

      Juris Doctorate

• Phi Delta Phi International Legal Honors Society
• Edward T. Lee Scholarship Recipient

Northern Illinois University

•      Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a focus in Public Law

State of Illinois

United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

Trial Bar - United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

 Illinois Defense Counsel