Minh C. Wai
Senior Partner
Merrillville Office
707 E. 80th Place Suite 303
Merillville, Indiana 46410
Milwaukee Office
1433 N. Water Street Suite 400
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202
Chicago Office
141 West Jackson Boulevard Suite 1575
Chicago, Illinois 60604
Minh C. Wai is a partner in the Merrillville, Milwaukee, and Chicago Hubs of Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer, P.A. He is a seasoned trial attorney with more than two decades of experience handling complex civil litigation matters. Mr. Wai's practice focuses on defending insurers, corporate clients, excess carriers, municipalities, and third-party administrators in cases involving catastrophic injury, wrongful death, professional liability, construction and product defect, transportation defense, and toxic torts. Additionally, he represents lenders and financial institutions in residential and commercial foreclosure matters and bankruptcy-related litigation affecting secured interests.
Mr. Wai practices regularly in both state and federal courts throughout Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin. Known for his aggressive yet strategic defense style, he is highly skilled in case valuation and resolution. He brings a calculated approach to every matter, one that aims to resolve claims expeditiously, often under settlement authority, while ensuring the opposition understands the true value of the case. His background also includes legal, medical, and realtor malpractice, as well as architect and engineer liability. He tailors his litigation strategies to the nuances of each case and client, achieving optimal outcomes through settlement or trial. When trial is the right course, Mr. Wai brings deep experience and composure to the courtroom, having successfully defended large and complex cases with significant exposure.
Over the years, Mr. Wai has secured defense verdicts in jury trials involving multimillion-dollar claims, traumatic brain injuries, and allegations of serious misconduct. He has also negotiated favorable settlements in cases with initial demands ranging from hundreds of thousands to more than $15 million. His ability to distill complex legal and factual issues into compelling arguments makes him a trusted advocate and advisor to clients facing sensitive and high-risk litigation.
Beyond his litigation practice, Mr. Wai has served as an educator, teaching courses in Employment Law, Criminal Justice, and legal studies at Valparaiso University School of Law, Keller Graduate School of Management, and Purdue University. In 1999, Mr. Wai earned his Juris Doctor from Marquette University School of Law and holds a Bachelor of Arts from Grinnell College.
Mr. Wai is admitted to practice in Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and multiple U.S. District Courts within his admitted states, including:
- U.S. District Court of Eastern Wisconsin
- U.S. District Court of Northern Illinois
- U.S. District Court of Northern Indiana
- U.S. District Court of Southern Indiana
- U.S. District Court of Western Wisconsin
Representative Trial Cases:
- Tried a rear end collision case with two injured plaintiffs. The settlement demands together exceeded more than $500,000. Once trial began, the defense won a series of critical motions in limine, resulting in the plaintiffs settling for a fraction of the demand.
- In a week-long jury trial, he obtained a defense verdict wherein the plaintiff claimed medical expenses in excess of $730,000 arising out of an accident involving allegations of "street racing/speed contest." At closing, Plaintiff asked the jury for between $5 million and $7 million. The jury deliberated for 30 minutes and returned with the defense verdict.
- Obtained a defense verdict in a three-vehicle rear-end collision where liability was admitted, and the plaintiff claimed medical expenses more than $50,000. The plaintiff sought judgment in excess of $300,000 at trial.
- Representing a transportation company and its driver, he settled a matter involving a complex 27-vehicle pile-up. The plaintiff's initial demand was $15 million based on a traumatic brain injury and burns on 25% of the plaintiff's body. A thorough investigation and discovery provided a defense that resulted in settlement under $700,000.
- Settled a highly contentious case on behalf of a national garbage disposal company alleged to have run over a boy represented by one of the nation's premier plaintiff's personal injury attorneys. The initial demand was $7.5 million, but the case was settled on the eve of trial at the low end of the settlement range of the initial settlement evaluation.
