Steven A. Berman

Steve Berman has over 30 years of experience in the area of personal injury litigation, including trying, as first chair attorney, over 60 personal injury jury trials throughout the state of Illinois, including Cook, DuPage, DeKalb, Federal District Court Northern District of Illinois, Lake, LaSalle, McHenry, McLean, Winnebago, and Whiteside counties. Three of these trials resulted in jury verdicts in excess of insurance policy limits when insurers refused to settle prior to trial. With Anesi Ozmon, Ltd. since 1998, he has also briefed and argued before the First, Second, and Third District Illinois Appellate Courts.

Steve has successfully appeared before the Appellate Court in the state of Illinois in a significant case, upholding the rights of all injured victims who slip and fall on ice. In the case of Russell v. the Village of Lake Villa, the trial court dismissed the Plaintiff’s case because it found that the Plaintiff’s injury was caused by ice that was considered to be a natural accumulation under previous case law. Steve appealed, and the Appellate Court reversed and found that where unsafe plowing procedures cause ice to form, that ice is not a natural accumulation, and a successful settlement was obtained. In a subsequent case, Steve successfully argued that the trial court was wrong to dismiss a construction negligence case where the proof established that the General Contractor controlled safety on the job site. In the case of Foley v. Builtech Construction Inc., the Appellate Court reversed and remanded the case. A successful settlement was ultimately achieved.

“I believe that all of my clients deserve to be treated with respect and professionalism at all times. Each client’s injury is unique to him or her, and I will do whatever it takes to obtain the maximum compensation possible on their behalf.”

Steve is a dedicated litigator who stops at nothing to achieve success and significant awards for his clients. He has been consistently named as one of the Leading Lawyers in Illinois for personal injury attorneys. In addition, Steve has given presentation lectures to members of ITLA (Illinois Trial Lawyers Association) and has served as a member of the Board of Managers of ITLA.