Justia Legal Services & Lawyers Directory

Susan L. Novosad is a partner at Levin & Perconti and has practiced law since 1985. Susan concentrates primarily in the areas of nursing home litigation, medical malpractice, automobile and premises liability matters. Susan is a highly experienced trial attorney, having been counsel in numerous complex medical malpractice cases. Her most noted achievement in this arena is a $6.7 million verdict in a birth-related medical malpractice case. Most recently she obtained a $995,000 verdict for a 67-year-old single assisted living resident who choked and died after being given food prohibited by his diet. Susan also achieved a $1,000,000 settlement on behalf of her client in a nursing home case in Lake County, Illinois. The settlement resulted from a case against a Lake County owned home who failed to take proper fall precautions with regard to Susan’s client. This failure resulted in numerous falls and Susan’s client sustained a brain injury and hip and elbow fractures ultimately contributing to the death of the resident. This settlement represents the highest settlement in a Lake County nursing home case

Susan is renowned as a highly skilled negotiator with an exceptional ability to successfully bring opposing parties to resolutions and end disputes. These skills were utilized recently to achieve a $1.5 million resolution for an 87-year-old nursing home resident who suffered burns to her buttocks after being placed in a sitz bath; a $500,000 resolution in a case involving a woman who lived in two different nursing homes and developed multiple pressure sores complicated by numerous hospitalizations, and a $510,000 resolution in a premises liability case against a restaurant where the 88-year-old plaintiff fell down a flight of stairs claiming they were too close to the waiting area resulting in a hip and foot fracture. This ability to resolve cases has earned her the enduring respect of her peers on both sides of the courtroom as well as that of her partners and associates here at Levin & Perconti.

Susan prides herself on the comprehensive manner in which she addresses the needs of her client’s and their cases. She grew up in Evanston, Illinois, earned her J.D. Cum Laude from The John Marshall Law School in Chicago in 1986, and has been practicing for the benefit of her clients ever since. Levin & Perconti is extremely proud of Susan's distinguished accomplishments and commitment to her profession and her clients.

Steven M. Levin is the co-founder and senior partner of Levin & Perconti, and a trial lawyer with more than 25 years of litigation experience and success. Steve began his career as a private criminal defense attorney, during which time he gained extensive trial experience. In 1983 he founded Steven M. Levin and Associates, a firm dedicated to representing plaintiffs in substantial personal injury and wrongful death cases. In 1992, he and John Perconti founded Levin & Perconti, which has since grown into a twelve-lawyer plaintiff personal injury firm with more than 125 years of combined trial experience.

Steve has obtained an extraordinary number of multimillion dollar verdicts and settlements for his clients in a tremendous variety of personal injury and wrongful death cases, including birth injury, failure to timely diagnose cancer and workplace negligence. His most recent victories include a $7 million judgment for his client against a doctor who failed to diagnose postpartum bleeding, and a $6.7 million medical malpractice verdict against a hospital involving a birth injury case. Steve has appeared on ABC, NBC and CBS news programs for cases which have attracted both local and national attention.

Over the past eighteen years, Steve has established a reputation as one of the country's top litigators in the highly-specialized area of nursing home abuse and neglect. He has represented hundreds of nursing home residents and their families who have been victimized by improper care and treatment, achieving landmark victories and record-setting verdicts and settlements for his clients in these cases.

More importantly, Steve's vigilance in representing such victims has brought national attention to this rampant and unacceptable problem, sending a message that mistreatment of one of society's most vulnerable groups will not go unnoticed. His comments on nursing home litigation are frequently quoted in national news publications including The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.

Steve Levin has received an "AV" rating from the Martindale-Hubbell American Law Directory, indicating preeminent legal ability and very high ethical standards. Steven has been honored as an Illinois Super Lawyer by Chicago Magazine in 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008. He has also been named one of Illinois' top litigators by Leading Lawyers Network, a peer-recommended distinction.

Peter S Grain Esq represents an Attorney Network that concentrates in Creditor-Debtor Rights.

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Thank you for this opportunity to be of service.

Best Regards,

Peter S Grain Esq
PO Box 3517
Barrington IL 60011-3517
T 847-843-2920
F 847-843-3626
E iccgrain@aol.com

Licensed attorney in Illinois since 1984 with an active civil litigation practice relating to complex injuries, premises liability, insurance coverage, construction claims, scaffold, crane and work platform matters, commercial litigation, intellectual property and other legal concerns.

Past Chair of the Illinois State Bar Association's Civil Practice and Procedure Section Council. Past Chair of the Illinois State Bar Association's Standing Committee on Professional Conduct. Recipient of Chicago Volunteer Legal Services Foundation's Distinguished Service Award. Frequent lecturer and author.

At R.F. Wittmeyer, Ltd., we care about all of our clients. Along with our experienced and dedicated staff, Mr. Wittmeyer will personally handle your case from start to finish. Your case will not be shuffled off to a junior level attorney. We strongly recommend to injured parties that they retain competent legal representation early on, so a qualified attorney, such as Mr. Wittmeyer, can manage every aspect of their case, from the beginning. Our reputation has been built on the trust that we will professionally and aggressively prosecute every case we accept.

Mark Rouleau
5301 East State Street, 215D
Rockford, IL 61108
815/229-7246
Summary of qualifications

Mark Rouleau, attorney at law
Rockford, Illinois
Has been an Illinois attorney for a quarter of a century. For the last fourteen years he has been a sole practitioner after leaving the law firm of Crosby & Lambert. He was admitted to practice before the state of Illinois Supreme Court on November 9, 1983; the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois December 21, 1983 and the Supreme Court of the United States on Aug. 11, 1995.

Education
DePaul University College of Law
Chicago, Illinois
Graduated in the Class of 1983

Southern Illinois University
Carbondale, Illinois
President's Scholar Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics, 1980
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science, 1980

Professional experience
Has been engaged in the general practice of law in the Rockford community for more than 25 years. The principle focus of his practice has been in the area of civil litigation. He has appeared as a speaker on in Sky Radio's America's Premier Lawyers Hosted by Marc Holland; appellate cases include: People v. Joseph Spiezer, (2nd Dist. 2000), 316 Ill.App.3d 75, 735 N.E.2d 1017, 249 Ill.Dec. 192; Hills v. Bridgeview Little League Ass'n, (Ill.App. 1 Dist. 1999) 713 N.E.2d 616, 306 Ill.App.3d 13, (Amicus brief of counsel, for the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association); People v. Quigley, (Ill. 1998) 697 N.E.2d 735, 183 Ill.2d 1, (trial and appellate counsel); People v. Lavariega, (Ill. 1997) 676 N.E.2d 643, 175 Ill.2d 153, (trial and appellate counsel); City of Rockford v. Xayasouk, (Ill.App. 2 Dist. 1998) 705 N.E.2d 110, 301 Ill.App.3d 663, (trial and appellate counsel); Krivitskie v. Cramlett, (Ill.App. 2 Dist. 1998) 704 N.E.2d 957, 301 Ill.App.3d 705, (trial and appellate counsel); Shelton v. Gourley, Rule 23 opinion ($350K negligence verdict barroom stabbing case upheld versus tavern Ill.App 2d 87 L 17 & 18); People v. Crabbe, (Ill.App. 2 Dist. 1990) 552 N.E.2d 19, 195 Ill.App.3d 163, (trial and appellate counsel); Application of County Collector, (Ill.App. 2 Dist. 1988) 530 N.E.2d 598, 175 Ill.App.3d 985, (trial and appellate counsel).

Publications
Unreliability of the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus Test, 4 Am.Jur. Proof Facts 3d 439;
Wills v. Foster and the "Reasonable Value" Approach To The Collateral Source Rule, Vol. 54, No. 2 ISBA Trial Briefs (August 2008);
Contacting an Opponent's Employee and Former Employees, Vol. 53, No. 5, ISBA Trial Briefs (Dec. 2007);
Impact of Plea of guilty on civil proceedings, DCBA Brief, November 2001.
Impact of Plea of guilty on civil proceedings, Vol 44, No. 3, ISBA Criminal Justice Newsletter,
Compensation for the value of lost time and not lost wages, Vol. 36, No. 3, ISBA Tort Trends Newsletter;
Is Tort Liability in Illinois Joint or Several? Vol. 34, No. 1, ISBA Tort Trends Newsletter;
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Launches Assault on Trial Lawyers, Business Profile Magazine Aug/Sept 98;
Declaring Forfeitures on Contracts for Deed, Vol. 35, No. 1 ISBA YLD Newsletter;
A Case for Fall Civil Discovery and Statutory Summary Suspension Hearings, Vol. 36, No. 1 ISBA YLD Newsletter;
Supreme Court Adds Teeth To Arbitration Rules, Vol. 37, No. 4 ISBA YLD Newsletter;
Subpoena Duces Tecum, by and 38, No. 1, ISBA YLD Newsletter;
A Simple Solution for Obtaining Records Prior to Trial, Vol. 38, No. 3 ISBA YLD Newsletter;
Discovering Petrillo Violations, Vol. 39, No. 1, ISBA YLD Newsletter;
Is Loss of Enjoyment of Life Recoverable Under the Civil Justice Reform Amendments of 1995?, Vol. 31, No. 2, ISBA Tort Trends Newsletter;
Discharge of Attorney Employed by Contingency Fee Contract, Vol. 32, No. 5, ISBA Tort Trends Newsletter;
Hospital Liens, Vol. XLIV, No. 2, WCBA The Lawyer;
Are Your Real Estate Clients Insuring The Insurer?, Vol. XLIV, No. 7 WCBA The Lawyer.

Additional professional activities
Member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum
Member of the Editorial Advisory Board for James Publishing, Cross Publications and Ford Publications 1989.
ITLA Board of Managers Member (1997-1998)
ITLA Amicus Committee & Supreme Court Rules Committee
ISBA Civil Practice and Procedure Section Council Member (2005- )
ISBA Continuing Legal Education Section Council Member (2005- )
ISBA assembly 1998-2000
ISBA Tort Section Council Chair (2000-2001)
ISBA Tort Section Council Vice-chair (1999-2000)
ISBA Tort Section Council Secretary (1998-1999)
ISBA Tort Section Council Member (1996-2002)
ISBA Task Force on Allocation of Judges (1998-1999)
ISBA Task Force on Certification (1997)
Illinois Legal Education Conclave (Oct. 19-20, 1995)
ISBA Organized Bar Leadership Conference (June 1994)
Chair of the YLD Section of the ISBA (1994-1995)
Editor of the ISBA YLD Newsletter (1991-1994)
ISBA delegate to the 1994 & 1995 ABA - YLD conventions

Presentations
Basic Skills: The New Attorney's Introduction to the Effective Practice of Law, "Pleading From A Plaintiff's View" ISBA Law Ed Series December 4-6, 2007 (Chicago).
Tort Law Update 2005, "Liens" ISBA Tort and Insurance Law sections, Law Ed Series, June 17, 2005 (ISBA Annual meeting, Lake Geneva Wisc.).
The Anatomy of an Automobile Case, "Liens & Reimbursement" ISBA Tort and Insurance Law sections, Law Ed Series, May 10, 2004 (Chicago).
Potpourri of Civil Practice, Tort and Insurance Law, "Adjudicating Medicaid Liens" ISBA Civil Practice & Procedure, Tort and Insurance Law sections, Law Ed Series, June 20, 2003 (ISBA Annual meeting, Lake Geneva Wisc.).
Motor Vehicle Cases A to Z, "Adjudicating Medicaid and Medicare Liens" ISBA Tort Law Section, Law Emergency department Series, May 22, 2003 (Chicago, Ill.)
Illinois Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Benefits, a Study and Analysis, "Who is covered?" ISBA Tort Law Section, Law Ed Series, May 9, 2002 (Bloomington, Ill.).
Illinois Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Benefits, a Study and Analysis, "Who is covered?" ISBA Tort Law Section, Law Ed Series, May 30, 2002 (Chicago, Ill.).
An Update for Tort Practitioners, "Responding to 213 (f) & (g) Interrogatories," ISBA Tort Law Section, Insurance Law Section, and Special Committee of Appellate Practice, Law Ed Series, June 22, 2001 (ISBA Annual meeting, Lake Geneva Wisc.
Insurance Coverage: An Update, "The Tort of Bad Faith: A Sleeping Giant" ISBA Insurance Law Section, Law Ed Series, April 19, 2001
Supreme Court Rule 213 and its Impact in Tort Litigation, "What is opinion Testimony?" ISBA Tort Law Section, Law Ed Series, October 9, 2000
Issues and Techniques for the Settlement of Personal Injury Cases, Moderator, ISBA Insurance Law and Tort Sections, Law Ed Series, ISBA Annual Meeting June 23, 2000
An Update for Tort and Insurance Litigators, "Responding to Rule 213 (f) & (g) Interrogatories," ISBA Insurance Law and Tort Sections, Law Ed Series, May 18, 2000
Litigating Tort Cases Without Going Bankrupt, Moderator, ISBA Tort Section, Law Ed Series, October 11, 1999
Hot Tips for Trials, Getting Witnesses to the Courthouse, Winnebago County Bar Association Seminar, Oct. 1, 1998
What's Up; A Tort, Insurance and Civil Practice Update, ISBA Civil Practice, Insurance Law and Tort Law Sections, ISBA midyear meeting December 13, 1996
Trial Techniques-Getting a Case Ready; Getting a Verdict (Pretrial Discovery) ISBA Tort Section Law Ed Series, Nov. 20 1995
Tort Reform: Day-To-Day Issues (Failure To Warn)-ISBA Tort Reform Law Ed Program, Nov. 1995
Building A Well-Balanced Life In The Law, ISBA YLD Law Ed Series, ISBA Annual Meeting June, 1995
How To Open A Small Law Office - ISBA Bridge the Gap Program, December, 1994

Professional memberships
American Association for Justice, Illinois State Bar Association, and Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, past member of the Winnebago County Bar Association

Community activities
Habitat for Humanity, Boy Scouting (Eagle Scout - past assistant Scout Master), Blackhawk Presbytery Commissioner to the PC(USA) General Assembly, June 2004; Blackhawk Presbytery PC(USA) Committee on Ministry (2005 - present); Westminster Presbyterian Church (Active Elder 2001-2003), Pastoral Nominating Committee (2004), Christian Education Commission (2001-2003), and Witness Commission (1999-2000), Habitat for Humanity local congregation liaison (1998-99)