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.

Jordan S. Powell joined Levin & Perconti as a litigation associate in August, 2007. Prior to joining Levin & Perconti, he spent two years as a law clerk at a Chicago based personal injury firm, Kralovec, Jambois & Schwartz. There he gained experience working on Medical Malpractice, Automobile and 4th Amendment Claims, amongst other types of personal injury cases. Jordan is eager to use this prior knowledge in the field of plaintiff’s litigation and serving injured victims.

Mr. Powell was raised in West Bloomfield, Michigan and attended Bloomfield Hills Andover High School, where his ambition, competitiveness and scholastic achievement began. He was a three letter athlete and earned numerous scholar athlete honors.

In 2004, Jordan graduated from the University of Michigan where he was on the deans list and graduated with academic distinction. Jordan earned two degrees – a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Studies. During his time at the University of Michigan, Jordan was also asked to become a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, was President of the Organizational Studies Student Assembly (OSSA) and was a member of the school’s water ski team.

In order to fulfill his lifelong ambition of becoming a trial attorney, Mr. Powell attended law school at Chicago-Kent College of Law were he earned his Juris Doctorate in 2007. Jordan focused much of his studies on developing a well rounded litigation background earning high honors in both his trial advocacy courses as well as high scholastic achievement in a specialized Litigation Technology course aimed at meshing traditional trial law with the high tech era.

During his time in law school, Jordan maintained a leadership role as he was elected by his peers to be on Chicago-Kent’s Student Bar Association. Jordan also worked in the school’s criminal defense clinic where he obtained a 711 license and was able to assist in drafting briefs, arguing motions and trying cases. Further, Jordan has also sought to help the underprivileged and disadvantaged. In the Spring of 2007, he spent a week in the Gulf Coast region assisting the victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. There he was able to offer legal advice to those who needed guidance and helped with the rebuilding of homes. Jordan also annually volunteers at Lincoln Park’s “Spooky Zoo” handing out candy to less fortunate children.

Jordan is prepared to bring his diligence and drive to Levin & Perconti and looks forward to continuing to represent those who have suffered from tragic and catastrophic injuries. Jordan is an active member of the American Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association, and Illinois Trial Lawyers Association.

As a personal injury attorney, Steven J. Malman has dedicated his entire legal career to protecting the rights of injured persons and helping them obtain the largest financial recovery possible for their injuries. That is why he founded the Law Offices of Steven J. Malman and Associates, P.C. in Chicago, Illinois in 1994.

He is committed to fighting for the rights of injured victims and holding liable the negligent parties accountable for their actions. He does this by offering his personal injury and workers' compensation clients the best legal representation available and aggressively pursuing their claim to obtain the best result possible for each case. Steven established his law firm with these objectives in mind and has built a legal team and staff that have the tools, experience, talent, dedication, and resources to get the job done right.

Steven believes that all injured persons have a right to quality legal representation—regardless of whether they have the funds to pay for this kind of service. This is why he is such a big advocate of the contingency fee system. You will only pay for his services if he obtains a collection for you, with all payments coming from your collection amount and never from your own pocket. He believes that every person who is injured because of another party's negligence has a right to financial compensation so that he or she can recover from their injuries, pay their medical bills, and get on with their lives.

Steven considers personal injury law to be his true calling and the only career he has ever wanted to pursue. While working for a medium-sized Chicago firm after graduating from law school, he amassed so many personal injury clients that wanted his representation and protection that he founded the Law Offices of Steven J. Malman & Associates, P.C. so he could provide them with the kind of legal representation and client service that they deserved and needed. Read some of his law firm's success stories to see how Steven continues to fulfill these goals and objectives for his personal injury and workers' compensation clients.

He is licensed to practice in Illinois at both the state and federal levels and is a member of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, the Chicago Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and the American Trial Association.

Steven has represented over 5,000 injury clients in every kind of personal injury and workers' compensation cases that there is, including truck accidents, police brutality/civil rights violation cases, car accidents, wrongful death cases, nursing home neglect and abuse cases, dog bite accidents, construction accidents, medical malpractice claims, slip and fall accidents, cerebral palsy injuries, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, train accidents, and products liability cases.

His clients come from all over Illinois, including Chicago, Oak Park, Harvey, Maywood, Blue Island, Bellwood, Berwyn, Homewood, Cicero, Oak Lawn, Riverside, South Holland, Westchester, Hazel Crest, Chicago Heights, Sauk Village, Olympia Fields, Matteson, Dolton, and Lansing in Cook County. He also represents clients in Lake County, Will County, and DuPage County.

Steven genuinely loves his job. When he isn't too busy negotiating a settlement for one of his clients or strategizing with his legal team on how to successfully win an injury lawsuit in court, he is constantly thinking of ways he can make the world a better place through personal injury law. You can find out more about what Attorney Steven J. Malman is up to by reading his legal blog, which he updates regularly.

Married with two daughters, Steven spends most of his free time with his family. He is also an avid golfer.

To schedule a consultation with Attorney Steven J. Malman, call the Law Offices of Steven J. Malman & Associates, P.C., toll-free, at 1-888-MALMAN-LAW (625-6265). You can also reach Steven at (312) 629-0099 or by e-mail at info@malmanlaw.com.

Laura Childs has practiced law for 14 years. She is our senior Workers' Compensation attorney, focusing her practice on Workers' Compensation claims and appeals as well as plaintiffs' Personal Injury cases.

Ms. Childs aggressively negotiates with insurance companies and litigates Workers' Compensation and Personal Injury claims to help clients recover financial compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering resulting from accidents. A signification portion of her practice is devoted to helping clients with work-related injuries when benefits are denied or disputes arise about the nature and extent of injuries.

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)

30 years of trial experience concentrating in representing plaintiffs and their families who are victims of wrongful death, serious personal injury and work related injuries.

Mr. Passen is a personal injury attorney at Chicago-based Passen Law Group. Mr. Passen concentrates in all areas of personal injury, including truck accidents, brain and spinal cord injury, medical malpractice and wrongful death.

Prior to joining Passen Law Group, Mr. Passen was an attorney in the litigation department of Jenner & Block LLP.

Mr. Passen received his B.A. magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, in Economics from the University of Michigan in 2002.

Mr. Passen obtained his law degree, summa cum laude, from DePaul University College of Law in 2006, where he graduated Order of the Coif. During law school, Mr. Passen was as a member of the DePaul Law Review.

During the 2003-04 academic year, Mr. Passen clerked for the Honorable Ronald A. Guzman, United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. He also spent the following semester clerking at the United States Attorney's Office, Northern District of Illinois.

Mr. Passen is a member of the Illinois Bar. He is also a member of the Chicago Bar Association, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, Illinois State Bar Association, and the American Association for Justice. In addition, Mr. Passen volunteers to work with elementary teachers and students in Chicago-area public schools as part of the Constitutional Rights Foundation of Chicago's "Lawyers in the Classroom" program.

The Law Office of Jeffrey Friedman, P.C. concentrates in serious personal injury, medical malpractice, work injuries and employment discrimination, including sexual harassment. We offer a free consultation.