John focuses his practice on representing injured persons and their families in Chicago and the collar counties, throughout the Midwest, and across the country. John established himself as a seasoned trial lawyer at a relatively young age, and started with the firm in 2000, after beginning his career with other plaintiff's firms from 1997-1999.
Based upon his tremendous record of success, John was made partner in the firm in 2005 and named partner in 2008. John has played the lead role in obtaining over $15,000,000 of recoveries on behalf of clients in wrongful death and personal injury cases, as well as business and commercial litigation cases, at Gardiner Koch Weisberg & Wrona.
John is active in many bar associations, and has given three presentations at Illinois State Bar Association continuing legal education seminars in 2004, 2005 and 2007. John has been appointed Adjunct Professor of Law in Trial Advocacy for the 2007-2009 academic years at Northwestern University School of Law, and was a guest instructor in 2006. He is a 1997 graduate of the IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law, and 1991 graduate of the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana.
Career Highlights
Notable accomplishments on behalf of clients
In 2009 has settled a production liability case involving burn injuries suffered by an electrician for $2,075,000 in cash and in addition to waiver of $455,000 of a workers compensation lien.
In 2008, settled an automobile accident collision involving a bicyclist who suffered a fractured jaw and teeth for $300,000, and settled a trucking negligence case involving a collision between a semi and a car for $350,000.
Also, in 2008, John served as Co-Executive Director of the Naperville Jaycees 2008 Last Fling Labor Day Festival, which raised over $200,000 for local charities.
In 2007, settled a medical malpractice case involving an untreated ankle fracture for $400,000 and a premises liability case involving a fall at a school which resulted in a fractured arm for $300,000.
Also, in 2007, settled a battery case involving a fractured facial bone for $75,000. Settled a wrongful death medical malpractice case involving a failure to diagnose and timely treat colon cancer for $300,000.
In 2006, settled a hospital and nursing home neglect case involving pressure ulcers and infection in a 73 year old postoperative patient for $750,000. Also settled for $250,000 a case involving an improperly performed plastic surgery against a Chicago hospital.
Also, in 2006, John was selected as a Member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, which is limited to trial lawyers who have demonstrated exceptional skill experience and excellence in advocacy by achieving a trial verdict, award or settlement in the amount of $1 million or more.
In 2005, settled a construction negligence case involving severe foot and ankle fractures suffered by an electrician due to a work site fall for $2,325,000, in cash, and in addition to the waiver of a $400,000 workers compensation lien. Obtained a $700,000 verdict against a Chicago hospital for a patient with severe osteoporosis whose fall precautions were not followed. Settled a wrongful death case involving the death of a home health worker in a house fire for $400,000.
In 2004, settled a product liability case where a steel worker suffered third degree burns over 40% of his body resulting from an industrial tractor explosion for $1,315,000. Settled an automobile collision case where a mechanic was broadsided by a drunk driver for $95,000. Successfully defended a business and its owners in an arbitration where the plaintiff sought $6,000,000.
In 2003, settled a stillbirth case that involved the failure to appreciate signs of fetal distress for $1,500,000, which at that time was a record recovery for a stillbirth in the State of Illinois. Settled a wrongful death case involving negligent pre- and postoperative care for a patient undergoing an amputation for $550,000 against a Chicago hospital. Settled a product liability case involving multiple fractures suffered by a steel worker as a result of a malfunctioning crane for $400,000. Successfully defended an entrepreneur against breach of contract and fraud allegations in a trial that took place several months.
In 2002, settled a civil rights case against the City of Chicago for excessive force during an arrest for $75,000.
In 2000, settled a medical malpractice case involving the failure to timely diagnose and treat a cardiac condition which led to leg amputations, against a major Chicago hospital, for $1,000,000. Settled an automobile collision case involving back and neck injuries for $72,500.
Community Involvement
John has been a member of the Naperville Jaycees since 2002, served on its Board of Directors from 2005-2007 and 2008-2009, served on the Executive Committee for its Last Fling Labor Day festival 2004-2007, and served as the Co-Executive Director of the 2008 Last Fling Labor Day Festival.
Presentations
Illinois State Bar Association, Tort Law Committee
May 2004-Automobile Collisions
June 2005- Civil Practice, Products Liability Update
March 2007- Trial, Closing Arguments
Teaching
Adjunct Professor of Law, Trial Advocacy, Northwestern University School of Law, 2007-2009
Guest instructor, Northwestern University School of Law, Trial Advocacy Class 2006
Judge Miner Moot Court Competition, Fall 2005
