The IBF’s mission is to ensure that low-income families have access to the justice system and offer aid to attorneys and their families during times of crisis. In 2024, the Foundation will distribute approximately $900,000 from its fundraising efforts to promote equal access to justice and support attorneys across the state.

Jay Edelson, founder and CEO of Edelson PC, was the 2024 Distinguished Award for Excellence honoree. His leadership in Illinois’s legal and philanthropic communities and his work in plaintiffs’ class and mass actions make him a shining star of the plaintiffs’ bar.

The event took place on October 18th at Chicago’s Old Post Office, 433 W. Van Buren, Chicago. The black-tie event featured a raffle and auction prizes.

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Paul Cassell, attorney for the families in this federal case and professor of the S.J. Quinney College of Law at the University of Utah, heads the team representing the victims of families killed in two Boeing crashes, with counsel from Clifford Law Offices of Chicago, Burns Charest of Dallas; Kreindler & Kreindler of New York; and Podhurst Orseck of Miami.

The team received a favorable result in their appeal against a U.S. judge’s decision not to reopen Boeing’s deferred prosecution agreement. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit affirmed the families’ status as crime victims and said their statutory rights must be upheld “at every stage of the court’s criminal proceedings.”

Various firms in several categories will also be honored for their work on November 14 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Washington, D.C. To view the entire list, click here.

GIR is an internationally trusted source of worldwide news, analysis, and data on the law and practice of cross-border investigations.

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 “I’m honored to be receiving this award from my alma mater,” Clifford said. “I remember those days well, and the education and disciplined training I received there have carried me throughout my life.”

Alumni awards will be presented at the school’s second annual fundraising event, A Night of Honor, Glory & Fame, held at 5:30 p.m. on December 7 at the Larry Tucker Marist Sportsplex, 12221 S. Ridgeland, Chicago. Proceeds from the event will support student financial aid.

The dinner dance will feature a silent auction, live auction, and paddle raising. For ticket and sponsorship information, contact Allie Bowles at 773-881-5311 or Bowles.allie@marist.net.

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Keith Hebeisen is a celebrated trial lawyer with forty years of experience in medical malpractice, product liability, transportation, and toxic tort cases. He became interested in being a lawyer “kind of late in the game,” he said, sharing his experience:

“When I graduated from college, I had no intention of going back to school. I had taken the LSAT and actually had a really good score on it, but I spent four years in the concrete construction business after I got out of college …in the early 1980s, when the economy was messed up, and construction dropped, I needed to figure out something else to do, and I ended up applying to law school….But early on, I really got torts into my system. I found it interesting learning about theories of liability and people receiving compensation when somebody harmed them through negligence. Then getting into how to prove these things with the rules of evidence, I really liked that.”

In his second year of law school at DePaul University, his professor introduced him to Bob Clifford, an associate at the Offices of Philip Corboy at the time, and ended up working with him as a law clerk. Under the mentorship of Clifford, along with other prominent attorneys such as Philip Corboy and Al Hofeld, Keith was exposed to different styles and was taught the value of working hard and always being prepared.

Keith has been with Clifford Law Offices since its inception in 1984. He shared that even after 40 years of medical malpractice representation, he learns something new about medicine in every case. Witnessing his work’s positive impact on people’s lives, he remains dedicated to his profession and always focused on the goal.

“I’d say there’s a common denominator in all my cases, which is that I do really care about what happens to my clients, and I try to do what’s right for them, even though sometimes it’s not what I would want to do for my ego. I try my hardest to tune out the noise and focus on the goal. I’m trying to accomplish the best I can for this client, no matter what.”
-Keith A. Hebeisen, Partner at Clifford Law Offices

As an active member and past president of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, Keith helps advocate for and against proposed legislation at the state capital in order to improve laws and policy. He stresses that we can’t take laws for granted and how important it is to stay involved and fight for our rights before they are stripped from us. Also serving on the Board of Governors of The American Association for Justice, he sees a direct relationship between state tort laws where trial bars are active and those that are not.

“You really can’t take this stuff for granted; politics are involved. If you’re not involved, things will come up out of nowhere and blindside you, and all of a sudden, you’ve got a big problem with the laws in your state. Rights get taken away, and then it’s really hard to get them back.”
-Keith A. Hebeisen, Partner at Clifford Law Offices

Keith also discussed trends affecting his practice, including how jurors are more open-minded in medical malpractice cases, citing the COVID-19 pandemic as an influence, saying how the pandemic led people to look at life differently, resulting in a greater willingness to hold more healthcare providers and institutions responsible.

Lawdragon’s Lawyer Limelights interviews highlight the careers of exceptional attorneys, providing a unique forum for the ultimate series for lawyer conversation.

Read Keith Hebeisen’s full interview on Lawdragon here.

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John V. Kalantzis, partner at Clifford Law Offices, has been appointed to the National Hellenic Museum’s Board of Trustees.

Born and raised in the Chicagoland area, John Kalantzis is a first-generation Greek-American active in the community through his volunteer work for his church and other Greek-American organizations. Growing up working in his family’s restaurant, Kalantzis experienced firsthand the challenges and cultural bias his family faced as immigrants assimilating to life in the U.S. These experiences highlighted for him the importance of community and inspired pride in his heritage.

“Greek civilization has profoundly influenced nearly every aspect of modern life. I take pride in representing my heritage in partnership with the National Hellenic Museum to educate the next generation, celebrating the cultural and historical contributions of Greek culture.” – John V. Kalantzis, partner, Clifford Law Offices

In addition to his continued support of the National Hellenic Museum over the years, Kalantzis is a leader in numerous professional organizations, including the Hellenic Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and the American Association for Justice. He is a member of the Assembly for the Illinois State Bar Association, serving on the Tort Law Section Council and the Bar Elections Supervision Committee. He also serves on the Judicial Evaluation Committee of the Chicago Bar Association.

At Clifford Law Offices, Kalantzis is involved in many complex personal injury and wrongful death cases including the pending litigation in federal district court against Boeing in the crash of a 737 MAX8 in Ethiopia that killed all 157 on board from 35 countries. He is known for the care and compassion he shows to every client while forcefully advocating for their needs and compensation.

“We are proud of John’s accomplishments over the years. His legal skills and insights are a testament to his dedication to his clients and to the profession.”
– Robert A. Clifford, founder and senior partner, Clifford Law Offices

Congratulations John, on your recent appointment!

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This recognition honors young lawyers who are passionate about helping others, seeking justice, and demonstrating a willingness to work hard to achieve their goals. TJ will be featured alongside his peers in the 25th annual edition of the 40 Under Forty Illinois Attorneys to Watch publication.

A highly selective honor, Law Bulletin Publishing Company received over 1,100 nominations in 2024 from attorneys across Illinois. The top 40 talented young attorneys were selected based on a thorough analysis of peer nomination, proven legal work, and demonstrated commitment to the legal profession.

“T.J. is a highly experienced, hard-working attorney who always puts his clients first. We are fortunate to have T.J. working on behalf of plaintiffs’ rights and obtaining them the justice they deserve when they become victims of wrongful conduct.”
-Robert A. Clifford, founder and senior partner at Clifford Law Offices

TJ holds nearly a decade of experience successfully trying complex medical malpractice cases and mediating catastrophic injury claims with a reputation for compassionate advocacy and commitment to seeking justice for those wronged. Having grown up in Chicago and obtained his J.D. at DePaul University College of Law, TJ understands the legal challenges many local families face and volunteers with the Public Interest Law Initiative to provide pro bono legal assistance across the state.

Congratulations, TJ!

The post TJ Tomasik Selected to 2024 40 Under Forty List in Illinois appeared first on Clifford Law Offices.

A special editorial feature within Crain’s September issue, Crain’s 2024 Notable Leaders in Accounting Consulting & Law profiles top accountants, consultants, and attorneys in Chicago. Selection for this competitive distinction is based on peer nomination and review and requires attorneys to possess and demonstrate a high level of skill and leadership within their workplace including:

Showing the ability or power to effect change in their role and/or area of practice at a firm.
Serving as a role model or mentor to other accountants, consultants, or attorneys and promoting inclusive practices in the workplace.
Assuming a leadership position outside of the candidates’ own organization or company including professional organizations and civic/community service initiatives.

Bob Clifford is widely recognized as a global leader in aviation litigation and an acclaimed personal injury attorney. Named one of America’s Top 200 Lawyers in Forbes’ inaugural list of 2024, Clifford is among only eight personal injury attorneys in the nation selected to the list and the only personal injury attorney selected from Illinois. Mr. Clifford has the distinction of being selected by Super Lawyers®, a peer-review organization, as the number one lawyer in Illinois in 2023-2024, and has been included in the Top 10 list for Illinois Super Lawyers since 2005. From representing those injured or killed in every major commercial airline crash in the U.S. in the last four decades to his investment in the Chicago legal community and beyond, Bob’s leadership throughout the profession is unparalleled. His success as an attorney is a reflection of his values in law, ethics, and civic responsibility.

As an attorney, Erin Clifford, JD, MA, has a deep understanding of the unique challenges lawyers face in maintaining a balanced lifestyle within the legal profession. She is passionate about educating and empowering law professionals with wellness tools and solutions that produce real and lasting results. Erin’s comprehensive wellness program emphasizes building holistic habits surrounding nutrition, physical activity, lifestyle management, mindfulness, and mental well-being. In addition to her marketing and business development role at the firm, Erin leverages her unique blend of legal expertise, wellness knowledge, and teaching skills to provide guidance and support to staff and attorneys across the Chicago area. Read Erin’s Notable Spotlight interview here.

Congratulations, Bob and Erin!

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Presented annually to a member of the Fenwick community who has distinguished themself in the legal profession, the Fenwick High School Accipiter Award is named in honor of Fr. Joseph Hren, O.P., longtime teacher of Latin at Fenwick High School, who was known among students as “The Hawk” for his devotion to detail and accuracy and his love for Latin, the language of the Law. “Accipiter” is a Latin word meaning “hawk.” Kevin P. Durkin, partner at the firm and Fenwick High School Class of 1973, is a past recipient of the award.

Bob Walsh, Fenwick High School Class of 1977, is an established Chicago personal injury attorney who handles a range of casework involving catastrophic car and truck accidents as well as insurance law. With nearly four decades of experience handling complex claims and litigation across Illinois, Bob is considered one of Chicago’s top accident attorneys.

“To be recognized by the institution that helped shape me and my family with an award that has been presented to many great political and judicial leaders is deeply humbling. I am proud to call Fenwick my alma mater, and I will continue to strive for excellence in service to this community and the legal profession.”
-Robert P. Walsh, partner at Clifford Law Offices

Since his graduation, Bob has remained an active member of the Fenwick community. He is the Co-Founder of The Fenwick Bar Association and has served as Past President and Past Treasurer. Additionally, Bob is one of the founding fathers and current Vice President of the Fenwick Friars Rugby Football Club, established in 2011.

Congratulations, Bob!

The post Robert P. Walsh Receives Fenwick High School’s Accipiter Award appeared first on Clifford Law Offices.

Shannon McNulty‘s path began at the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, where she managed the Chicago Homicide Dataset. Her work focused on using data from violent crimes to predict and prevent future incidents, emphasizing advocacy and community betterment over punitive measures.

With a strong family background in law enforcement, Shannon joined the Chicago Police Department as a civilian and served as the Director of Administration in the Bureau of Operational Services and Chief of Staff to the First Deputy Superintendent. Her path took a pivotal turn during her time here when her police captain, a respected mentor and lawyer himself, encouraged her to attend law school. Recognizing her problem-solving skills and intellectual abilities, he believed that a legal career would provide her with more opportunities to contribute to the community and effect change within large organizations. With his guidance, Shannon took the LSAT and enrolled in law school at DePaul University, where she was drawn to tort law as a means to create broad-scale change.

“Seeing the common denominator of enforcing the law and finding solutions and improving standards of living caused me to gravitate toward practicing in areas of tort law.”
Shannon M. McNulty, partner at Clifford Law Offices

For the past 20 years, Shannon has led Clifford Law Offices’ mass tort, fraud, whistleblower/qui tam matters, and class actions. Her work includes securing significant verdicts and settlements, such as a $34.75 million result in a class action against Proline Casement windows and her role as liaison counsel in the $92 million data privacy suit against TikTok. Shannon has also been instrumental in the landmark opioid litigation, including her co-lead counsel role in the Purdue Pharma bankruptcy proceedings, which resulted in a $250 million settlement.

“I really believe in active, empathetic listening to restore the client to their strongest position, not only in their case but in their life.”
Shannon M. McNulty, partner at Clifford Law Offices

Beyond these high-profile cases, Shannon believes in the power of litigation as a tool for change. She emphasizes the importance of helping clients find their voices and achieve a sense of justice and confidence after tragedy. Through active, empathetic listening, she strives to restore her clients to their strongest positions, both in their cases and in their lives.

Lawdragon’s Lawyer Limelights interviews highlight the careers of exceptional attorneys, providing a unique forum for the ultimate series for lawyer conversation. Read the full article on Lawdragon here.

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The following lawyers were named to the 2025 The Best Lawyers in America list:

• Robert A. Clifford, Founder and Senior Partner (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 1993)
  Aviation Law
  Bet-the-Company Litigation
  Commercial Litigation
  Mass Tort Litigation/ Class Actions – Plaintiffs
  Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs
  Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
  Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs
  Qui Tam Law
  Railroad Law
  Transportation Law
• Tracy A. Brammeier, Partner (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2021)
  Aviation Law
  Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
  Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs
• Richard F. Burke, Jr., Partner (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2015)
  Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
• Susan A. Capra, Partner (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2021)
  Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs
  Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
  Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs
• Bradley M. Cosgrove, Partner (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2019)
  Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs
  Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
  Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs
  Professional Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs
  Transportation Law
• Marta K. Davidson, Associate (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2024)
  Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
  Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs
• Kevin P. Durkin, Partner (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2011)
  Aviation Law
  Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
  Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs
  Railroad Law
  Transportation Law
• Charles R. Haskins, Partner (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2021)
  Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs
  Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
  Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs
• Keith A. Hebeisen, Partner (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2011)
  Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs
  Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
  Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs
• John V. Kalantzis, Partner (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2022)
  Aviation Law
  Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
• Sarah F. King, Partner (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2021)
  Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs
  Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
  Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs
• Yvette Loizon, Partner (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2023)
  Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
• Shannon M. McNulty, Partner (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2015)
  Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions – Plaintiffs
  Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
  Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs
• Nicholas T. Motherway, Associate (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2024)
  Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
• Joseph Murphy, Partner (First year of recognition)
  Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
• James C. Pullos, Partner (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2020)
  Commercial Litigation
  Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Plaintiffs
  Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs
  Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
  Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs
• Kristofer S. Riddle, Partner (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2024)
  Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
  Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs
  Qui Tam Law
• Hon. Henry R. Simmons (Ret.), Managing Partner (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2019)
  Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
• Craig J. Squillace, Partner (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2022)
  Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
  Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs
• Robert P. Walsh, Partner (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2018)
  Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs

Congratulations to all twenty lawyers for their selection to this prestigious list!

About Clifford Law Offices

Clifford Law Offices is dedicated to serving the needs of families and individuals in the Chicago area and throughout the nation. With nearly four decades of experience in personal injury litigation, the firm has recovered over $5 billion for its clients setting the gold standard for dedication to finding justice, impacting change in public policy, and recovering maximum compensation across a broad range of practice areas including aviation, transportation, medical malpractice, wrongful death, and product liability law. https://www.cliffordlaw.com

About Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers is the oldest and most respected lawyer ranking service in the world. Universally regarded as a definitive guide to legal excellence, Best Lawyers provides lists of high-caliber attorneys and firms in more than 75 countries. Lawyers included on The Best Lawyers in America list are separated and evaluated by geographic region and practice area. Nominations are reviewed by peers based on professional expertise and undergo an authentication process to ensure they are in current practice and in good standing. The methodology involves a rigorous peer-review survey comprising more than 13 million confidential evaluations by top attorneys. https://www.bestlawyers.com/

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