Dennis VanDerGinst

Dennis VanDerGinst is the President/CEO of VanDerGinst Law, one of the most successful personal injury law firms in the country. He has been a tireless advocate for his clients and a stalwart ambassador for his profession. As a result, he has been recognized as one of the best in the country by clients, peers, and other professionals.

Dennis received his law degree from DePaul University in Chicago. He is licensed to practice in Illinois, Iowa, Washington D.C., and the federal courts. During his career he has represented clients in almost every state of the country. The focus of his practice has been on helping injured people. The law firm which bears his name has represented over 50,000 injury victims during his career, in all areas of personal injury law including but not limited to: motor vehicle accidents, product liability, premises liability, medical malpractice, nursing home abuse and neglect, worker’s compensation, mass and class actions, and all types of negligence cases.

His dedication to his clients has earned Dennis and his firm the prestigious Torch Award for Ethics, awarded by the Better Business Bureau, marking the first time this honor was ever bestowed upon a lawyer or law firm in the region. Dennis has also been awarded the Client’s Choice Award from AVVO Lawyer Rating Service and Client Champion recognition from Martindale-Hubbell, the most established attorney rating service in the profession. In In 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 Dennis was voted as the Best Attorney in Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois in a survey conducted by the Quad-City Times. He was runner-up for that honor in 2019.

Dennis’s accomplishments and expertise within the profession have also won him accolades from his peers. He is rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell Attorney Rating Service (the highest available rating) He has been designated a Super Lawyer by Thomson Reuters, a staple in the legal profession, and has been rated Superb with a 10/10 rating from AVVO Lawyer Rating Service. Chicago Lawyer magazine has recognized Dennis as one of the Top Injury Lawyers in Illinois and the Iowa Association for Justice has featured him in an article in IAJ’s magazine, Iowa Trial Lawyer.

Dennis has been recognized as a “Top 100 Trial Lawyer”, by the National Trial Lawyers, an exclusive organization composed of the premier trial lawyers from across the country. Similarly, he has been selected for the following Specialty Recognitions of the NTL:

Top 25 Brain Injury Trial Lawyer

Top 10 Asbestos/Mesothelioma Trial Lawyer

Top 25 Medical Malpractice Trial Lawyer

Top 25 Motor Vehicle Accident Trial Lawyer

Top 10 Nursing Home Trial Lawyer

Top 25 Product Liability Trial Lawyer

Top 10 Trucking Trial Lawyer

He has likewise been selected as one of the top attorneys in the nation by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel, the American Trial Lawyers Association, Premier Lawyers of America, and the American Society of Legal Advocates, among others.

His success in the field of personal injury law is illustrated by his inclusion in the Multi-Million-Dollar Advocates Forum, whose membership is limited to those attorneys who have secured multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements, which he has done dozens of times in his career.

His expertise has made him a reliable source of law-related information for numerous media outlets. He is often called upon to speak about legal and consumer issues in the news. He has been featured on the National Public Radio program, America’s Premier Lawyers, as well as on numerous regional and national radio and television programs and podcasts. In fact, he is the host of a very popular podcast, Legal Squeaks, which addresses legal and consumer issues which may impact ordinary people in their everyday lives.

He has been profiled in Fortune magazine, and numerous news and/or law-related publications. Similarly, he has authored numerous legal articles in professional journals and magazines and has been an active speaker/lecturer at regional and national conferences, conventions, seminars, and webinars that focus on the importance of personal injury law. In addition, Dennis has taught Torts and Insurance law as an adjunct professor.

He has been an extremely active member of several professional organizations such as the American Bar Association, the American Association for Justice, the Illinois and Iowa State Bar Associations, the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, and the Iowa Association for Justice.

Dennis has served on the Board of Managers for the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, the Board of Governors for the Iowa Association for Justice, and the Board of Trustees for the Pound Civil Justice Institute. He has also served as the State Delegate to AAJ for both Illinois and Iowa – the only person to ever serve in that capacity for both of those states. Additionally, he has served on the National Advisory Board for the National Crime Victims Bar Association and for the Association of Plaintiff Interstate Trucking Lawyers of America.

His career accomplishments have earned him the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award from Who’s Who, the Lifetime Achievement Award from Premier Lawyers of America, and the Best Attorney-Lifetime Charter Membership from Rue Ratings’ Best Attorneys of America.

Through his stewardship VanDerGinst Law became one of the first law firms in the country to embrace the powerful potential of the internet. The firm’s award-winning website, www.VLaw.com, has become a legal resource for other law firms, law students and lay people across the country. The VanDerGinst Law Facebook page is one of the most “liked” attorney Facebook pages in the world.

In addition to consumer and legal news, the firm often uses their online platforms to present cases and legal issues to focus groups and online mock juries.

Perhaps most important, Dennis has created a corporate culture at VanDerGinst Law which embraces the firm’s responsibilities as ambassadors of the profession and leaders in the community.

The Mission of VanDerGinst Law, as authored by Dennis, is:

To help people both in and out of the courtroom. In the courtroom the firm’s focus is on assisting those who have become injured or infirm on the job or due to the wrongdoing of others. Outside of the courtroom the firm’s focus is on helping those least able to help themselves, including the injured and infirm, the elderly and children. Additionally, the firm focuses on giving back to those to whom we all owe a debt of gratitude including first responders, veterans and active military, teachers, and front-line health care workers.

To that end, his law firm has donated millions of dollars and countless hours to the organizations that support these initiatives and advance growth and prosperity in their communities. In recognition of his character and philanthropic efforts, Dennis was recognized by GQ’s “Better Men, Better World” campaign.

In addition to his management responsibilities to the firm, Dennis oversees all injury cases and maintains an active caseload himself. He divides his time between each office and conducts Zoom meetings with all attorneys and staff each morning.

Bar Admissions

State of Illinois 1989
State of Iowa 1994
State of Wisconsin 1996-2013
United States District Court for Northern District of Illinois 1989
United States District Court for Central District of Illinois 1992
United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Federal Circuit 1990
United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa 2017
United States Court of Federal Claims 2020

Professional Associations & Committees

ASSOCIATIONS

American Bar Association 1989-present
American Association for Justice 1994-present
Illinois State Bar Association 1992-present
Illinois Trial Lawyers Association 1992-present
Iowa State Bar Association 1994-present
Iowa Association for Justice 1994-present
Association of Plaintiff Interstate Trucking Lawyers of America (National Advisory Board)
Wisconsin Academy of Trial Lawyers 1996-1999
Chicago Bar Association 1989-1992, 1997-current
Cook County Bar Association 1989-1992
DuPage County Bar Association 1991-1993
Rock Island County Bar Association 1992-present
Scott County Bar Association 1994-present
Winnebago County Bar Association 1996-1998
Brain Injury Association 1996-present
Illinois Brain Injury Association 1996-present
Trial Lawyers for Public Justice 1998-present
Pound Civil Justice Institute 2004-present
Academy of Trial Professionals 2004-2005
National Crime Victim Bar Association (former National Board of Directors member)
Association of Plaintiff Interstate Trucking Lawyers of America National Advisory Board 2020
American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys 2019

COMMITTEES

AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION

Medicine & Law Committee 1996-present
Products, General Liability & Consumer Law Committee 1993-present
Automobile Law Committee 1993-present
Litigation Section 1993-present
Tort Law & Insurance Section 1993-present

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR JUSTICE

Former AAJ State Delegate-Iowa
Former AAJ State Delegate-Illinois
Former Chairman – Committee on Internet Marketing and Client Services
Leader’s Forum
President’s Club
Eagle PAC member
Interstate Trucking Litigation Group 1994-present
Birth Trauma Litigation Group 2000-present
Nursing Home Litigation Group 2000-present
Birth Injuries Litigation Group 2000-present
Attorney Information Exchange Group 2000-present
Motor Vehicle Collision, Highway & Premises Liability Section 1994-present
Insurance Section 1994-present
Railroad Law Section 1999-present
Professional Negligence Section 1999-present
Product Liability Section 1999-present
Small Office Practice Section 1999-present
Toxic, Environmental & Pharmaceutical Torts Section 1999-present
Committee on Lawyer Marketing and Client Services 1999-present

ILLINOIS STATE BAR ASSOCIATION

Civil Practice & Procedure Section 1993-present
Insurance Law Section 1993-present
Tort Law Section 1993-present
Elder Law Section 1996-present

ILLINOIS TRIAL LAWYERS ASSOCIATION

Board of Managers
Board of Advocates 2000-2002
Former Illinois State Delegate, ATLA
Medical Negligence Committee 1996-present
Legislative Committee 1995-present
Insurance Law Committee 1996-1999
Civil Practice & Rules Committee 1995-present
Membership Committee 1996-present
Product Liability Committee 1997-1999
Continuing Legal Education Committee 1997-1998
Publications Committee 1997-present
Young Lawyers Committee 1999-2002
Product Liability and Insurance Law Committee 1999-present

IOWA STATE BAR ASSOCIATION

Litigation Section 1994-present
Services to the Elderly Committee 1996-2000
Law Panels Committee 1994-1998

IOWA ASSOCIATION FOR JUSTICE

Board of Governors 2018-2022

ROCK ISLAND COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION

Board of Managers 1998-2000
Bar Assn. Liaison to Young Lawyers Committee 1998-2000

WINNEBAGO COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION

Professional Responsibility Committee 1996-1998
Continuing Legal Education Committee 1996-1998
Legal/Medical Committee 1996-1998
Editorial Board 1996-1998
Trial Section 1996-1998

CHICAGO BAR ASSOCIATION

Class Litigation Committee 1998-2004
Insurance Law Committee 1998-2004
Tort Litigation Committee 1998-2004

POUND CIVIL JUSTICE INSTITUTE

Board of Trustees 2004-2006

Education

EDUCATION

DePaul University – College of Law
Chicago, Illinois
Juris Doctor, Spring, 1989.
Northern Illinois University
DeKalb, Illinois
Bachelor of Arts, Fall, 1985
Black Hawk College
Moline, Illinois
Fall, 1980 – Spring, 1982

CONTINUING EDUCATION

April 11, 1992 – Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
Insurance Liens, Set-off & Subrogation
St. Louis, Missouri
May 7, 1992 – Continental Casualty Company
Professional Lawyers Liability Program
Peoria, Illinois
September 12, 1992 – Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
Update & Review Seminar
Chicago, Illinois
February 15, 1993 – Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
Shotgun Seminar
Chicago, Illinois
April 24, 1993 – Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
Current Topics in Injury Victim Advocacy Seminar
St. Louis, Missouri
August 20, 1993 – Iowa Trial Lawyers Association
Pleadings & Practice
Dubuque, Iowa
October 11, 1993 – Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
Point/Counterpoint
Chicago, Illinois
February 18, 1994 – Illinois State Bar Association
Overview of New Developments in Civil Practice
& Procedure from Jurisdiction to Appeals,
Rock Island, Illinois
March 1, 1994 – Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education
Winning Depositions: Discovery, Techniques & Practice,
Chicago, Illinois
April 12, 1994 – Quad City Claims Association
Spring Seminar, Civil Practice Update
Davenport, Iowa
May 7, 1994 – Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
Evidence
Chicago, Illinois
September 17, 1994 – Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
Update & Review Seminar
Chicago, Illinois
December 3, 1994 – Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
Medical Malpractice
Chicago, Illinois
January 14, 1995 – Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
Product Liability Litigation
Chicago, Illinois
February 18, 1995 – Illinois State Bar Association
Civil Practice Update
Rock Island, Illinois
April 11, 1995 – Quad City Claims Association
Spring Seminar, Civil Practice Update
Davenport, Iowa
May 6, 1995 – Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
Life Before & After House Bill 20
Chicago, Illinois
June 30, 1995 – Rock Island County Bar Association
Tort Reform
Rock Island, Illinois
October 12-14, 1995 – American Law Institute-American Bar Association
Litigating Medical Malpractice Claims,
Charleston, South Carolina
January 13, 1996 – Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
Product Liability Litigation
Chicago, Illinois
April 12, 1996 – Quad City Claims Association
Spring Seminar, Civil Practice Update
Davenport, Iowa
April 13-14, 1996 – Gonstead Methodology Institute
Personal Injury
Parkview, Iowa
April 20, 1996 – Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
Trial Practice, Law Tactics and Techniques
St. Louis, Missouri
June 7, 1996 – Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education
Successful Techniques in Winning Vehicle Accident Cases
Chicago, Illinois
September 7, 1996 – Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
It’s a Whole New World, Civil Practice Update & Review
Chicago, Illinois
September 6, 1997 – Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
Issues, Answers and Legal Trends
Chicago, Illinois
September 22-24, 1997 – Medical Intelligence Corporation
Emergency Medicine and the Law
Las Vegas, Nevada
December 5, 1997 – Scott County Bar Association
1997 Winter CLE Seminar, Seeing the Forest for the Trees
Davenport, Iowa
January 3-7, 1998 – Boston University School of Medicine and
The Center for Human Genetics
14th Annual Conference on Obstetrics, Gynecology,
Perinatal Medicine, Neonatology and the Law
Maui, Hawaii
March 16-17, 1998 – The National Law Journal and the New York Law
Journal
Fen-Phen, Medical Aspects & Potential Liability
New York, New York
September 12, 1998 – Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
New Law – New Developments
Chicago, Illinois
December 2, 1998 – Wisconsin State Bar Association
Resolving Ethical Issues in Everyday Practice `98
Madison, Wisconsin
March 26, 1999 – Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education
Modern Medical Malpractice Litigation
Peoria, Illinois
September 18, 1999 – Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
What’s New in Tort & Trial, Civil Practice Update & Review
Chicago, Illinois
December 1, 1999 – Association of Trial Lawyers of America – National
College of Advocacy
Taking the Driver’s Seat Against Allstate, State Farm, and Others When You’ve
Been “Dolfed” Via Telephone
December 9, 1999 – The Law Firm Development Group, Inc.
Just Think About Your Future as a Lawyer
Chicago, Illinois
December 11, 1999 – Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
Medical Negligence Seminar
Chicago, Illinois
February 5, 2000 – Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
General Tort Litigation – Including Medical Issues
Peoria, Illinois
February 21, 2000 – Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
Product Liability – Premises Liability
Chicago, Illinois
February 25-26, 2000 – Association of Trial Lawyers of America – National
College of Advocacy
Litigating Catastrophically Injured Infant Cases
Atlanta, Georgia
July 29-August 2, 2000 – Association of Trial Lawyers of America
2000 Summer Convention
Traumatic Brain Injuries Litigation Group
Ethical Considerations in Handling a Closed Head Injury Case from Interview
Through Trial
Construction Site Accident Litigation Group
Chicago, Illinois
November 16-18, 2000 – Association of Trial Lawyers of America
2000 Fall Board of Governors Meeting
Nursing Home Litigation Group
Washington, D.C.
December 1, 2000 – Scott County Bar Association
Last Chance Seminar – Bar Relations and Ethics
Davenport, Iowa
December 9-10, 2000 – Association of Trial Lawyers of America – National
College of Advocacy
Weekend with the Stars – Trial Strategies, Techniques to Master, and Taking
Cases That Count
New York City, New York
December 22, 2000 – TRT Inc., The Right Thing
Advertising and Solicitation Updates
Live Telephone Teleconference Seminar
February 9-15, 2001 – Association of Trial Lawyers of America – National
College of Advocacy
Litigating Catastrophically Injured Infant Cases
Atlanta, Georgia
March 23-24, 2001 – Association of Trial Lawyers of America Winter
Convention
Nursing Home
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Railroad Law
New Orleans, Louisiana
April 20-21, 2001 – Association of Trial Lawyers of America – National
College
of Advocacy
Litigating Nursing Home Cases
Houston, Texas
April 26-28, 2001 – M & L Legal Management
Legal Forum 2001
Miami, Florida
July 13-18, 2001 – Association of Trial Lawyers of America
Summer Convention
Motor Vehicle Collision, Highway, and Premises
Liability
Insurance Law
Products Liability
Montreal, Canada
August 2-5, 2001 – American Bar Association
Annual Convention
Chicago, Illinois
September 15, 2001 – Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
What’s New in Tort and Trial
Chicago, Illinois
September 21-23, 2001 – American Bar Association/Legal Tech
Legal Technology Seminar
New York City, New York
January 15-19, 2002 – M&L Legal Management
Law Firm Management Seminar
Key West, Florida
January 25-27, 2002 – Network Affiliates
Mass Torts
Nassau, Bahamas
February 9-13, 2002 – Association of Trial Lawyers of America Winter
Convention
Baycol
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Nursing Home
Miami, Florida
February 12 – 15, 2002 – Trial Lawyers Marketing
Round Table
Asset Protection
Accutane Litigation
Miami, Florida
March 13-14, 2002 – Mass Torts Made Perfect
New Orleans, Louisiana
June 26-30, 2002 – M&L Legal Management
Client Services
Aspen, Colorado
July 19-25, 2002 – Association of Trial Lawyers of America-Summer Convention
Products Liability
Traumatic Brain Injury
Nursing Home
Baycol Litigation
Motor Vehicle Collision, Highway and Premises Liability
Railroad Law
Atlanta, Georgia
July 24-26, 2002 – Trial Lawyers Marketing Roundtable
“Legal Services via the Internet”
Atlanta, Georgia
August 7-11, 2002 – Network Affiliates
Servicing Mass Tort Clients
Nassau, Bahamas
August 22, 2002 – Needles Case Management Systems
Case Management
Las Vegas, Nevada
September 11-15, 2002 – Mass Torts Made Perfect
Nassau, Bahamas
December 4-8, 2002 – Needles Case Management Systems
Mass Torts
Nassau, Bahamas
March 26-30, 2003 – Law Office Comparison Group
Management and Legal Ethics
New Orleans, LA
April 23-24, 2003 – Mass Torts
Made Perfect
Atlanta, Georgia
April 30-May 4, 2003 – Masters Marketing Group
Cyberspace, the Final Frontier
Dallas, Texas
June 19-20, 2003 – Mass Torts
Made Perfect
Securities, Drug, & Environmental Litigation
Chicago, IL
June 25-29, 2003 – M&L Marketing and Management Seminar
Ethical Case File Management Systems
Santa Fe, New Mexico
July 19-23, 2003 – Association of Trial Lawyers of America- Summer Convention
Confronting Juror Bias
Computers and Law Office Technology
Nursing Home Litigation
Psychology of Persuasion
Toxic Mold Litigation
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Medical Negligence
Bad Faith Insurance Litigation
Pharmaceutical Torts
San Francisco, CA
July 22-25, 2003 – Trial Lawyers Marketing Roundtable
Securities Fraud
San Francisco, CA
August 7-10, 2003 – Network Affiliates
Serving Hispanic Clients
Vail, Colorado
November 6-9, 2003 – Masters’ Marketing Group
Legal Services Via the Internet
Phoenix, Arizona
February 12-18, 2004 – Association of Trial Lawyers of America-Winter Convention
Nursing Home Fraud
Damages for Elderly Clients
Sick Building Syndrome
July Selection
Non-Catastrophic Injury Cases
Orlando, Florida
February 17-19, 2004
Trial Lawyers Roundtable
Latest in Mass Torts
Orlando, Florida
April 25-27, 2004 – Masters’ Marketing Group
Public Relations
Internet Legal Services
Washington, D.C.
July 3-7, 2004 – Association of Trial Lawyers of America – Summer Convention
Nursing Home Litigation
Hormone Replacement Therapy Litigation
Ephedra Litigation
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Boston, Massachusetts
July 6-8, 2004 – Trial Lawyers Marketing Roundtable
Product Liability Litigation
Pharmaceutical Litigation
Boston, Massachusetts
January 9, 2005 – Attorney Website Boot Camp
San Diego, CA
January 29 – February 2, 2005 – Association of Trial Lawyers of America
– Winter Convention
Working with Experts, Low Impact/Biomechanical Engineer, Economic Damages,
Chronic Pain, Elder Plaintiffs, Non-Economic Damages, Female Plaintiff, Insurers
Use of Computer Software, Cross Examination, Catastrophically Injured Infants,
Focus Groups, Voir Dire, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Causation
Palm Springs, CA
July 23-27, 2005 – Association of Trial Lawyers of America – Summer Convention
Bad Faith Insurance, Admiralty Law, Nursing Home Litigation, Complex Regional
Pain Syndrome, Qui Tam Litigation, School Litigation, Demonstrative Evidence,
Product Liability, Daubert/Experts
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
November 11-15, 2005 – Masters’ Marketing Group
Mass Torts for the Masses
Las Vegas, Nevada
April 1, 2006 – Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
President’s Seminar
Chicago, Illinois
May 3-5, 2006 – Masters’ Marketing Group
Legal Ethics
New York, New York
July 14-19, 2006 – Association of Trial Lawyers of America-Summer Convention
Persuasion and Jury Selection, Opening and Direct and Cross-Examination, Complex
Regional Pain Syndrome, Motor Vehicle Collision, Highway and Premises Liability,
Use of Technology at Mediation, Closing Arguments
Seattle, WA
June 22-23, 2007- Professionally Speaking
Peanut Butter, Salmonella cases, Zelnorm litigation, Mass Torts
St. Louis, Mo
July 14-18, 2007- American Association for Justice-Summer Convention
Mass Tort Litigation, Medical Malpractice, Nursing Home Abuse and Negligence Cases
Chicago, IL
October 8, 2007- Scott County Bar Association
Continuing Education Seminar
Davenport, IA
May 2, 2008- Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
Current Issues in Professional Responsibility
Oak Brook, IL
May 16-17, 2008- Professionally Speaking
Pharmaceutical Litigation
New Orleans, LA
May 30-June 1, 2008- Association of Interstate Trucking Lawyers of America
Putting the Brakes On Unsafe Trucking Companies
St. Louis, MO
June 19, 2008- Beasley/Allen Co Counsel Retreat
Montgomery, AL
July 9-11, 2008- M&L Marketing and Management Seminar
Mass Tort Litigation, Use of the Internet to Deliver Legal Services
Coeur d’ Laine, ID
July 12-16, 2008- American Association for Justice -Annual Convention
Nursing Home Litigation, Vehicular Crash Litigation, Civility in the Courtroom, Reengineering Your Practice, Using Technology in the Practice, Surgical Malpractice
Philadelphia, PA
October 10, 2008- Rock Island County Bar Association
Federal Practice Seminar
Rock Island, IL
January 30, 2009- National Crime Victims Bar Association
Monetary Compensation for Victims of Crime
Davenport, IA
February 7-11, 2009- American Association for Justice-Winter Convention
Current Perspectives in Professionalism, Avoiding Malpractice, Cross Examination of Defense Experts, Allstate Bad Faith, ERISA Subrogation, Fundamentals of Accident Reconstruction, Brain Injury Litigation, How Trucking Cases Differ From Motor Vehicle Cases, Maximizing Recoveries, Focus Groups/Voir Dire, Complete Immunity Preemption, Effective Life Care Plans, Medical Negligence.
New Orleans, LA
February 15, 2011- Legal Malpractice/Risk Management
Chicago, IL
July 11, 2011- Developments In Real Estate Law- Real Estate Institute
Chicago, IL
July 20-13, 2013 – American Association for Justice -Annual Convention
Combining Science, Intuition and Experience, Ethical Pitfalls, Technology Tools for Today’s Lawyer, Anatomy of an Injury Lawsuit, Bad Faith Insurance Litigation, Toxic and Environmental Torts, Updates in Medical Negligence Cases
San Francisco, CA
September 8, 2015- Illinois Institute for Continuing Education
The Latest, Hottest and Weirdest Ethics Cases
September 25, 2015 Syngenta GMO Corn Litigation
Litigation Update
Champaign, IL
December 21, 2015- Legal Ethics Top Ten Challenges- Illinois Institute for Continuing Education
March 14, 2017-Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Email and Smartphone Evidence-The Ultimate Guide-National Business Institute
March 16, 2017- Negotiating and Reducing Subrogation Liens in Personal Injury Settlements – National Business Institute
March 20, 2017- Attorney-Client Privilege in Email- National Business Institute
March 22, 2017- “May it Please the Court”-Effective Presentation at Trial-National Business Institute
April 5, 2017- Slip, Trip and Fall Cases from Start to Finish- National Business Institute
April 6, 2017- CGL Policy Occurrences, Exclusions and Exceptions- Complex Issues- National Business Institute
April 11, 2017- Legal Ethics of Attorney Diligence- National Business Institute
April 20, 2017- Handling Nursing Home of Hospital Fall Down Claims- National Business Institute
April 27, 2017- Advanced Personal Injury
May 2, 2017- Attorney’s Guide to Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage- National Business Institute
June 1, 2017- Trucking and Transportation Law: FMCSA and DOT Compliance and More- National Business Institute
May 18-21, 2018- – Four Days to Mass Tort Success – Mass Tort Nexus- Fort Lauderdale, FL
March 5, 2019 – The World of VA – Basic Umbrella of VA Benefits – Veterans Advocates Group of America LLC, Orlando, FL
March 6-8, 2019 – The World of VA – Veterans Benefits Training Conference – Veterans Advocates Group of America LLC, Orlando, FL
March 8-11, 2019 – Four Days to Mass Tort Success – Mass Tort Nexus- Fort Lauderdale, FL
March 27, 2019 – Asbestos and Mesothelioma Claims Litigation- National Business Institute
March 28, 2019- Personal Injury From A to Z – National Business Institute
April 2, 2019- Personal Injury: Getting Your Evidence Admitted – National Business Institute
April 3, 2019 – Getting Medical Records and Bills Admitted Into Evidence – National Business Institute
June 19, 2019 – Legal Ethics: New Case Law and Changed Rules – National Business Institute
June 19, 2019 – Negotiating Injury Claims: Secrets and Insider Tips – National Business Institute
July 27-30, 2019 – American Association for Justice – Annual Convention Advocacy Track: Getting the Information You Need: Written Requests, Electronic Discovery, and Audit Trails, Trucking Litigation Group/Bus Litigation Group, Advocacy Track: Talking About Damages: Mediation Presentations, Anchoring, and Getting Jurors to Your Number, Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation Group, Advocacy Track: Lessons from the Courtroom: Demonstrations of Voir Dire, Opening, Closing, and Direct, Motor Vehicle Collision, Highway and Premises Liability Section/Bicycle Litigation Group/Distracted Driving Litigation Group/Ride Share Litigation Group
August 25, 2020 – Iowa Association for Justice – Evidence Videos: Seeing is believing
November 5-6,2020-Iowa Association for Justice-Building a Better Demand Letter, Evidence-Based Causation in Traffic Crash-Related Litigation: From Whiplash to Wrongful Death, Professional and Ethical Tips for Lawyers, Appealing to the “New” Iowa Supreme Court, Attorney Disciplinary Board Claims: A Clear-Eyed Analysis, Maximizing Your Damages From Complaint to Trial, How the Agency and District Courts are Interpreting the 2017 Workers’ Compensation Law Changes, Trials Update, Medical Aspects of TBI, Identifying With and Understanding Conservative Jurors, What to Do When Your Client Calls at 2:00am With a Criminal Law Problem, The Role of Foreseeability, Legal and Proof Aspects of TBI, Opening Statements, Effective Settlement Strategies and Negotiations from the Defense Perspective, Legislative Changes
February 2, 2021-Veterans Information Services: covered representation before the VA, claims procedures, basic eligibility for VA benefits, right to appeal, disability compensation including presumptive conditions and Nehmer claims, Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), non-service- connected pension, and additional information related to both VA and to DoD benefits
November 4-5, 2021-IAJ’s 48^th Annual Convention: Case Law Updates, Case Management Software Solutions for Your Practice, Legal Ethics: Through and Beyond the Pandemic, Discovering Body/Dash Cam Footage and 911 Calls, Open Records Requests: Finding the Hidden Gems that Can Make Your Case, Maximizing Consortium Damages in your Personal Injury or Wrongful Death Case, Applying Cost-Effective High End Litigation Tools and Concepts to Maximize Recovery in Smaller Cases, “Black Box” Crash data, Computer Animation and Cutting Edge Technology for Accident Reconstruction
December 22, 2021- Iowa State Bar Association: Attorney Wellness: Our Mental Health
June 1^st, 2022 – Senior Veterans Service Alliance: covered representation before the VA, claims procedures, basic eligibility for VA benefits, right to appeal, disability compensation including presumptive conditions and Nehmer claims, Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), & non-service- connected pension.
June, 2022 – PILMMA
October 12-14, 2022 – Mass Torts Made Perfect: Mass Torts 101: What You Need to Get Started, State vs. Federal Court – Where to File, Defense’s Mass Tort Bankruptcy Strategy, Managing an MDL Docket and SOL, Modern-Day Class Action Practice: RICO Claims are an Essential Part of Class Action Success, Preemption Battle: Making Sure We Have More Triumphs than Tragedies, Quick Case Update, Best Practice in Securing and Betting Class Representation, Settlement Approval and the Claims Rate Countdown, Getting the Most Out of Discovery: Prepping Hard and Pressing Past, Camp LeJeune: Let’s Find Justice for Veterans and their Families, Camp LeJeune: Building the Case, Infant Formula NEC Litigation Update, Paraquat Litigation Update: MDL and State, Class Actions in Insurance Claims, Philips CPAP Machines Litigation Update, Getting Organized for Trial, Tylenol and Autism Litigation, Zantac Litigation Update, Talc Bankruptcy Update, Bard Hernia Mesh Litigation Update, Ethics in Depositions, MDL Bankruptcy Escape Hatch:Why and How It’s Done and Preventing and Preparing for it.
November 2022 IAJ’s 49^th Annual Convention
January 23-26, 2023 – Legal Associations Management, Inc – 2023 Trial Lawyers Summit; Trial Skills: Nailing the Most Important Points in Your Opening and Closing. Impactful Education: Building the Million-Dollar Moment with Visual Storytelling. Dudley Disciplines for Scaling Your Firm, How to Leverage Your Strengths to Scale Your Law Firm. The Master Plan: Using Defense Witnesses to Win Your Trucking Case. Engineering Your Way into a Big Heavy Truck Case. Cracking the Code of Local SEO. Digital Intake & Conversion: How it is Different and How to Stop Losing Cases. Organic Social Media: Getting Your Name Out There Without Blowing the Budget. The Foundational Basics of Brain Injury Cases. TBI – A Survivor’s Story. Deposing the Defense Medical Examiner in Brain Injury Cases. The Secret to Success in Life and in Winning Every TBI Case. Neuroimaging Defenses – “That Lesion is not from a TBI”. Ad Agencies – How to Work with Them, How to Select Them & Pitfalls to Avoid. Building a Reputation of Trust and Transparency: 5 Things Your Clients Want to Know Upfront About Lawsuit Funding. Paid Social Media: 7 Do’s and Don’ts for Success. Strategic Branding – Create an Identity that Brings in the Cases You Want. Post-Covid Paradigm Shifts in Mock Trials & Focus Groups – New Innovative Approaches. How Defense Lawyers Negate Plaintiffs’ Arguments, Positions, & Theories – What to Know and Do About it. The Surgical Dissection of the Defense Medical Expert Report. Dangerous Trends & Ethical Issues on the Horizon. Special Ethical Considerations for Working with Victims Covered by the PACT Act. The Lawyer’s Toolbox: The Various Tools that Will Aid Lawyers in Teaching and Persuading Juries.
March 16-18, 2023 – Professionally Speaking; Mass Tort Immersion Course: Is your firm ready for Mass Tort, The key steps for picking the winners in the Mass Tort race, 4 key considerations when entering Co-Counsel agreements and referring clients, Client retention and working up the cases.
July 27-30, 2023 – Professionally Speaking; Personal Injury Law Immersion Bootcamp: Advantages of Traditional Marketing, Search Engine Marketing, Community Outreach, Social Media Marketing, Content Marketing, Client Intake, The Client Experience, Plaintiff Funding, Case Management Software, Case Investigation and Work Up, Life Care Plans and Vocational Experts, Settlement Concerns, Effective Mediation, Effective Discovery Strategy, Brain Rules, Launching the Trial, Closing Statement, Effective Settlement Demands, Mass Tort Intro and Update.
August 8, 2023 – District of Columbia Bar: Mandatory Course on the D.C. Rules of Professional Conduct and D.C. Practice 2022
January 17-20, 2024 – Legal Associations Management, Inc – 2024 Trial Lawyers Summit: Cultivating Connection and Driving Damages Awards with Effective Storytelling, Using Focus Groups in Preparing Your Trucking Case, Winning Truck Crash Cases, How to Consistently Get 8 & 9 Figure Settlements and Verdicts Through Cross-Examination and Re-Cross Examinations, Unlocking Potential: The Skill of Identifying Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Cases with Precision, Evidence Amplified: Proving Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries with Neuroimaging Precision, Expand Your Practice with Mass Torts: CPAP Machines, Camp Lejeune, PFAS Personal Injury, Insulin Pricing Litigation, Paraquat, Chemical Hair Relaxer, Ozempic, and Suboxone, Real Cases, Real Value – What Your Intake & Conversion Process is Missing, Cutting Through the Hype – Practical Applications of AI in Your Law Practice, Jury Selection, Innovations in Law Firm Management, The Current State of Law on Plaintiff Funding Across the US, Brave New World: Closing & Human Damages in AI Times, Visual Gestalt: Craft the Perfect Demonstrative, Tell Your Story in Opening; Drive it Home in the Final Five, Jury Selection: Authenticity, Gratitude & Strikes for Cause, How Community Marketing Levels the Playing Field.

Honors

Current

AV PREEMINENT Rating- Martindale-Hubbell
Super Lawyer-Thomson Reuters
Best Attorney/Law Firm-Eastern Iowa/Western Illinois 2018,2020,2021,2022 Reader’s Choice Awards
Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award
Top 100 Trial Lawyers-The National Trial Lawyers
Top 25 Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyers (Illinois and Iowa)- The National Trial Lawyers
Top 25 Brain Injury Lawyers (Illinois and Iowa)- The National Trial Lawyers
Top 25 Medical Malpractice Lawyers (Illinois and Iowa)- The National Trial Lawyers
Top 10 Nursing Home Lawyers (Illinois and Iowa)- The National Trial Lawyers
Top 10 Trucking Lawyers (Illinois and Iowa)- The National Trial Lawyers
Top 10 Asbestos/Mesothelioma Lawyers (Illinois and Iowa)- The National Trial Lawyers
Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
Best Attorneys of America, Rue Ratings
Client Champion- Martindale-Hubbell
Superb Rating (10/10)-AVVO Lawyer Rating Service
Client’s Choice Award- AVVO Lawyer Rating Service
Lifetime Honoree-Rue Ratings-Best Attorneys of America
Nation’s Top 1% Attorney-National Association of Distinguished Counsel
“Leading Lawyers” in Personal Injury Law
America’s Premier Lawyers
Million Dollar Advocates Forum
Top 100 Litigation Lawyers-American Society of Legal Advocates
Top 500 Attorneys in America- Law Dragon Publications
Life Member of the National Registry of Who’s Who
Who’s Who in American Law
Best Attorneys Network
Top 100 Trial Lawyers-American Trial Lawyers Association
“Lead Counsel”
International Who’s Who
Advocate – National College of Advocacy
Honoree-Academy of Trial Professionals
10 Best Attorneys, Illinois 2019

DePaul

Who’s Who Among American Law Students
DePaul Legal Clinic, Chairperson
Student Bar Association Barrister’s Ball

N.I.U.

Golden Key National Honor Society
The National Dean’s List
Student Association Senator
Students Organized for Safety
Student Tenant Union
Tower’s Magazine
Who’s Who Among American College Students

B.H.C.

Dean’s List
Student Representative Assembly
Sociology Teaching Assistant
Sports Editor of the college newspaper

Experience

VANDERGINST LAW, P.C. (04 -present)
President/CEO. Practice focused on all areas of injury law, including but not limited to medical malpractice, product liability litigation, nursing home negligence, class and mass tort actions and all areas of personal injury and wrongful death litigation.
VANDERGINST, ROCHE & WESTENSEE, LTD. (7/01-/04)
Managing Partner. Practice focused on all areas of injury law, including but not limited to medical malpractice, product liability litigation, nursing home negligence, class and mass tort actions and all areas of personal injury and wrongful death litigation.
BRAUD, WESTENSEE & VANDERGINST, LTD. (7/99 -7/01)
Managing Partner. Practice focused on all areas of injury law, including but not limited to medical malpractice, product liability litigation, nursing home negligence, class and mass tort actions and all areas of personal injury and wrongful death litigation.
BRAUD/WESTENSEE, LTD. (1/95 – 6/99)
Partner. Practice focused on all areas of injury law, including but not limited to medical malpractice, product liability litigation, nursing home negligence, class and mass tort actions and all areas of personal injury and wrongful death litigation.
BRAUD/WARNER, LTD. (1/92 – 12/94)
Senior Associate Attorney. Practice focused on all areas of injury law, including but not limited to medical malpractice, product liability litigation, nursing home negligence, class and mass tort actions and all areas of personal injury and wrongful death litigation.
BLACK HAWK COLLEGE (1/93 – 5/96)
Adjunct Professor of Torts and Insurance Law.
WYLIE, MULHERIN, REHFELDT & VARCHETTO, P.C. (2/91 – 1/92)
Associate Attorney. Trial and appellate practice focused on the fields of insurance defense and subrogation, plaintiff’s personal injury, worker’s compensation law, some exposure to general practice law.
LAW OFFICES OF DENNIS VANDERGINST (1/90 – 2/91)
Solo practice focused on general civil and criminal litigation and appellate work.
LAW OFFICES OF ELLIOT SAMUELS (11/89 – 1/90)
Associate Attorney. Focused on general civil and criminal litigation and appellate work.
LAW OFFICES OF ELLIOT SAMUELS (Spring, 1987 – Fall, 1989)
Law Clerk. Responsibilities included extensive legal research and memoranda writing in diverse areas of civil and criminal law.
DEPAUL LEGAL CLINIC (1988 – 1989 school year)
Student Attorney. Responsibilities included client interviews, research, motion, and trial practice in the areas of divorce, adoption, and bankruptcy.

Publications & Seminars Conducted

Publications

“Negligent Use of Self Defense – A Viable Cause of Action, But Is There Coverage?”
by James M. Roche & Dennis A. VanDerGinst
Trial Journal of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
Volume 3, Number 1 – Winter, 2001
“Tort “Reform” Versus Tort Fairness – A Call for Real Justice”
by Dennis A. VanDerGinst
“The Legal Profession Caught in the Net”
by Dennis A. VanDerGinst and James M. Roche
Trial Journal of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
Volume 5, Number 2 – Summer 2003
“Mass Tort Litigation: Is it For The Masses?”
by Dennis VanDerGinst
Trial Journal of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
Volume 8, Number 2, Summer 2006

SEMINARS CONDUCTED

2015-Present- “Ask The Expert” WOC Talk Radio
2012-2013- “Ask A Lawyer Anything” Weekly Program B-100
Fox Television
Weekly Legal FAQs Program
1996-2000 – WQAD Television (Quad Cities ABC affiliate)
Mid-day Call-In Program
January 1993 – Black Hawk College, Moline, Illinois
to May 1996 Adjunct Professor
Torts and Insurance Law
March 8, 1994 – University of Iowa, Pre-Law Society
Topic: Discussion Panel for Iowa State
Bar Association, Law Panels Committee
February 28, 1995 – University of Iowa, Pre-Law Society
Topic: Discussion Panel for Iowa State
Bar Association, Law Panels Committee
April 19, 1995 – St. Ambrose University, Physical Therapy Program
Topic: Dealing with the Legal System
and Patient Confidences
May 10, 1995 – Moline Orthopedic Associates
Topic: AIDS Confidentiality Issues and
Recent Tort Reform Legislation
November 14, 1995 – St. Ambrose University, Occupational Therapy Program
Topic: How to Effectively Treat/Serve Patients and Still
Insulate the Practitioner from Liability Exposure
April 4, 1996 – Association of Operating Room Nurses, Davenport
Topic: Medical Malpractice in the OR and Insurance for OR
and Recovery Room Nurses
April 17, 1996 – St. Ambrose University, Physical Therapy Program
Topic: How to Effectively Treat/Serve Patients and Still
Insulate the Practitioner from Liability Exposure
November 5, 1996 – United Township High School
Topic: Overview of Tort Law
November 15, 1996 – St. Ambrose University, Occupational Therapy Program
Topic: Litigation, Insurance Claims and How to Avoid
Malpractice
April 7, 1997 – St. Ambrose University, Physical Therapy Program
Topic: Practicing in Conjunction with the Legal System
April 11, 1997 – United Township High School
Topic: Tort Law and the Legal System
April 8, 1998 – St. Ambrose University, Physical Therapy Program
Topic: Risk Management and the Legal System
May 5, 1998 – United Township High School
Topic: Tort Law and Contract Law
November 12, 1998 – United Township High School
Topic: Tort Law and Contract Law
March 3, 1999 – St. Ambrose University, Physical Therapy Program
Topic: Risk Management and the Legal System
December 1, 2000 – Scott County Bar Association, Last Chance Seminar
Topic: Trial Preparation: The Expensive & Inexpensive Way
July 16, 2001 – Association of Trial Lawyers of America
Summer Convention, Montreal, Canada
Topic: Internet Usage for Law Firms
July 22, 2002 – Association of Trial Lawyers of America
Summer Convention, Atlanta, Georgia
Topic: Bates: Then and Now
July 24-26, 2002 – Trial Lawyers Marketing Roundtable
Atlanta, Georgia
Topic: Legal Services via the Internet
June 20, 2003 – Mass Torts Made Perfect
Chicago, Illinois
Topic: People Over Profits
July 22-25, 2003 – Trial Lawyers Marketing Roundtable
San Francisco, California
Topic: Public Relations and Community Events
April 11, 2004 – Quad Cities Chiropractic Consortium
Davenport, Iowa
Topic: How to Avoid Malpractice
July 8, 2006- Quad Cities Chiropractic Consortium
Milan, IL
Topic: Disc Decompression
July 15, 2006-Pound Civil Justice Institute
Seattle, WA
Topic: “The Whole Truth? Experts, Evidence, and the Blindfolding of the
Jury.”
June 22-23,2007-Professionally Speaking
St. Louis, MO
Topic: Peanut Butter/Salmonella Litigation, Agricultural Nuisance
October 8, 2007-Scott County Bar Association
Davenport, IA
Topic: Mass Tort Litigation
November 3, 2008- Risk Management and the Legal System-St. Ambrose University Physical Therapy Program
March 24, 2009- Practice in Conjunction with the Legal System- St. Ambrose University Physical Therapy Program
October 10, 2010- Liability Insulation for Treatment Providers- St. Ambrose University Physical Therapy Program
April 4, 2011-Dealing with Patient Confidences- St. Ambrose University Physical Therapy Program
October 15, 2012-Dealing with the Legal System- St. Ambrose University Physical Therapy Program
September 2013- Trial Preparation: Expensive or Inexpensive? – Iowa State Trial Lawyers Last Chance Seminar
July 2013- Mass Tort Litigation- M&L Management Conference
2014- People Over Profits- Mass Torts Made Perfect, Las Vegas, NV
July 24, 2015- Recent Tort Reform Legislation- Orthopedic Surgeons CME, Napa Valley, CA
October 2015- Current Issues in Professional Responsibility- Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
July 25, 2016- AIDS Confidentiality Issues- Orthopedic Surgeons CME, Napa Valley, CA
October 20, 2016-Litigation, Insurance Claims and How to Avoid Malpractice-St. Ambrose University Occupational Therapy Program
October 2016- Anatomy of a Mass Tort- Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
March 4, 2017-How to be Effective and Be Insulated Against Liability- St. Ambrose University Occupational Therapy Program
June 18, 2017- Monetary Compensation for Victims of Crime-National Crime Victim Bar Association, Davenport, IA
November 2017-Insurance Considerations for OR and Recovery Room Nurses- Association of Operating Room Nurses, Chicago, IL
April 2018- Medical Malpractice in the OR- Association of Operating Room Nurses, Chicago, IL
May 15, 2019- Insulating Yourself From Malpractice and Other Liability Exposure, Illinois Prairie State Chiropractic Association, Moline, IL
October 4, 2019 Sexual Harassment Prevention Training, Illinois Prairie State Chiropractic Association, East Peoria, IL
December 4, 2019-Investigation and Discovery of Auto Injury Claims, National Business Institute, Online Webinar
December 20, 2019-Demand Letters and Damage Calculations for Personal Injury, National Business Institute, Online Webinar
January 30, 2020-Sexual Harassment Prevention Training, Illinois Prairie State Chiropractic Association, Online Webinar
April 28, 2021-Pleadings, File and Client Management for The Complete Personal Injury Paralegal-National Business Institute, Online Webinar
November 17, 2021- The Personal Injury Paralegal: Plaintiff and Defense Strategies-National Business Institute, Online Webinar

Civic & Charitable Organizations

QCA Cares- Executive Director
Hard Headed Kids
Legally Speaking
Jaycees
Safe Kids Campaign
AARP Volunteer Legal Review Program

Dennis VanDerGinst