Christopher M. Norem
Top rated Personal Injury attorney in Chicago, Illinois
Law Offices of Parente & Norem, P.C.
Practice areas: Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice, Products Liability; view more
Licensed in Illinois since: 1996
Education: Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology
Call today:
312-971-4146
Law Offices of Parente & Norem, P.C.
221 North LaSalle StreetSuite 1750
Chicago, IL 60601 Visit website
Christopher M. Norem is a partner and seasoned trial attorney at the Law Offices of Parente & Norem, P.C., where his practice is devoted exclusively to the litigation and trial of serious personal injury, birth injury, wrongful death, and medical negligence cases. With a steadfast commitment to advocating for the injured and their families, Mr. Norem finds deep personal and professional satisfaction in making a meaningful difference in the lives of those affected by tragedy.
The Law Offices of Parente & Norem have secured more than $600 million in compensation for their clients, including over $100 million in jury verdicts in highly complex cases involving transportation disasters, construction site accidents, unsafe premises, medical malpractice, and defective products. Mr. Norem has achieved ten jury verdicts exceeding $1 million, including five over $5 million, and four over $10 million. Notable verdicts include a record-setting $30 million wrongful death case against Altec, Inc., and a $19.2 million medical negligence verdict on behalf of a 37-year-old woman.
Mr. Norem’s background in biology and chemistry enables him to effectively challenge medical experts in court and present compelling evidence of causation and damages. His courtroom victories have not only delivered justice for clients but have also driven systemic safety improvements; most notably in the landmark case Tellez v. Canadian National Railway, which led to permanent operational changes within the national rail system. A recognized leader in personal injury law, Mr. Norem has been named a Leading Lawyer by Sullivan’s Law Directory, an honor awarded to only the top five percent of attorneys in Illinois, and has been selected for inclusion in Super Lawyers® by Thomson-Reuters for over twelve years. He is also a sought-after speaker on trial practice and personal injury law for both legal and medical professional organizations.
Mr. Norem is an active member of several prestigious legal associations, including the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), the International Society of Barristers, the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, and the Society of Trial Lawyers, among others. He serves as a Fellow and Officer of the Illinois Chapter of ABOTA and contributes to the Illinois State University Attorneys Advisory Council.
At Parente & Norem, Mr. Norem is deeply committed to personal client service. The firm maintains intentionally low caseloads to ensure direct attorney involvement and regular communication throughout every stage of litigation. From initial consultation through trial and appeal, clients can expect a team that spares no resource in building the strongest possible case backed by top-tier medical, economic, and safety experts and cutting-edge demonstrative evidence.
For those seeking an attorney who combines relentless advocacy with compassionate client care, Christopher M. Norem is a trusted ally and tenacious litigator dedicated to securing justice and life-changing results.
Practice areas
Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff, Personal Injury - Medical Malpractice: Plaintiff, Personal Injury - Products: PlaintiffFocus areas
Animal Bites, Assault, Birth Injury, Brain Injury, Construction Accident, Delayed or Incorrect Diagnosis, Dental Malpractice, Dram Shop Laws, Informed Consent, Medical Devices, Medical Malpractice, Motor Vehicle Accidents, Motor Vehicle Defects, Personal Injury - Plaintiff, Pharmaceutical, Premises Liability - Plaintiff, Sexual Abuse - Plaintiff, Slip and Fall, Toxic Mold, Trucking Accidents, Wrongful Death
- 70% Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff
- 20% Personal Injury - Medical Malpractice: Plaintiff
- 10% Personal Injury - Products: Plaintiff
First Admitted: 1996, Illinois
Professional Webpage: https://www.pninjurylaw.com/attorney/christopher-m-norem/
Bar / Professional Activity
- United States District Court for Northern District of Indiana
- United States District Court for Eastern District of Wisconsin
- The Society of Trial Lawyers
- The National Trial Lawyers
- International Society of Barristers
- American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)
- Illinois State Bar Association, Member
- American Association for Justice, Member
- Board of Advocates for the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
- Executive Board of the Illinois State University Attorneys Advisory Council
- United States District Court for Western District of Wisconsin
- United States District Court for Northern District of Illinois
- Illinois State Bar
- Federal Trial Bar
Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)
- I have personally obtained verdicts and settlements for my seriously injured clients in excess of $175M arising out of construction accidents, transportation accidents, medical negligence, premises liability, industrial accidents, and related events. This includes a recent $18.6M jury verdict against C.H. Robinson Worldwide for the wrongful death of a 54-year-old Canadian truck driver.
- $2.3M vs. First Student, Inc. – bus accident
- $2.4M vs. Knight Transportation – parking lot injury
- $3M jury verdict for medical negligence against an ER Physician and downstate hospital
- $4.7M jury verdict for trucking injuries against refinery hauling company
- $6.65M vs. Chicago Transit Authority – O’Hare derailment
- $9.0M vs. Union Pacific Railroad – FELA/work injury
- $12.95M vs. Canadian National Railway – derailment burns/death
- $18.6M vs. C.H. Robinson Worldwide – wrongful death/trucking
- $19.2M jury verdict for a 37 year-old woman who died as a result of medical negligence
- $30M vs. Altec, Inc. and their auction subsidiary J.J. Kane Associates, Inc. – record wrongful death verdict for the county
Honors
- Voted Top 100 consumer lawyers in the state by Leading Lawyers, 2019
- Named among the nation’s top one percent of practicing attorneys by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel
- Leading Lawyers Network Member selected by peers in Personal Injury Law: General
- Illinois Super Lawyer®
- 2023 JVR Awards for Trial Attorney Excellence – Highest Reported Will County Work Injury Verdict or Settlement
- 2024 JVR Plaintiff Attorney Achievement Award
- Named among the nation’s top one percent of practicing attorneys by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel, Nation's Top One Percent of Practicing Attorneys, https://www.distinguishedcounsel.org/members/christopher-norem/22593/, 2019
- The National Trial Lawyers: Top 100 Trial Lawyers, 2019
- I was a member of the Moot Court Honor Society while attending IIT-Chicago-Kent Law School.
- America’s Top 100 Personal Injury Attorneys, https://www.top100personalinjuryattorneys.com/listing/christopher-m-norem/, 2019
Educational Background
- Illinois State University, B.S., biology, minor in chemistry with Dean’s list; Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society, Phi Sigma Society and Sigma Tau Gamma Scholar, 1993
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- I have lectured to bar groups and professional medical groups regarding issues related to personal injury civil practice and medical negligence.
- Dealing with the Unreasonable Workers’ Compensation Lien Holder Where a Contribution Case Exists or Can Exist Against the Employer
- Life after Voykin v. Estate of DeBoer, a plaintiff’s perspective
- Life after Carney v. Union Pacific RR Co. for Construction Injuries in Illinois
Office location for Christopher M. Norem
221 North LaSalle Street
Suite 1750
Chicago, IL 60601
Phone: 312-971-4146
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2013 - 2026