Geo Bellas

Litigation Attorney at Park Ridge, IL

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HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Genuine

About Geo

Learn Geo’s areas of practice.

Practice areas

Litigation

60%

Geo has been involved in complex business lawsuits for years and is a strong advocate for the interests of clients. Geo utilizes technology to help keep litigation costs down. He has been recognized as one of the top trial lawyers in the State.
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50 years
Business

40%

Coming from a family of entrepreneurs, Geo understands the many problems that a small business faces on a regular basis which is why he has developed the Corporate Maintenance Plan to help clients avoid problems before they develop. Call him today.
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50 years

Geo has been involved with complex business cases for over 40 years. His cases have involved not only business issues such as restrictive covenants and shareholder disputes, but he has also represented business owners who were involved in complex international agreements as well as large numbers of plaintiffs who have been victimized by fraud or have had their civil liberties stripped away from them.

George was the recipient of the American Association for Justice's highest award for his consumer safety work and has lectured nationally on the use of technology in litigation. George has served as a panelist for the Sedona Conference and currently serves on the 7th Circuit e-Discovery Pilot Project.

His knowledge of technology has been utilized in developing effective techniques to facilitate discovery and to insure full disclosure. George brings a high level of intensity, creativity, technology and skill to complex cases.

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Licensed for 49 years

State IL

Status Active and Authorized to Practice Law

Acquired 1973

Updated 01/06/2023

We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.

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Reviews

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5.0 / 5.0

11 customer reviews

5 Star

100%

4 Star

3 Star

2 Star

1 Star

Posted by Dean | September 20, 2018

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

George helped me with a very complicated business matter. His attention to detail is unmatched and he has a keen legal mind. I HIGHLY recommend George and his staff for any legal needs.

Posted by Tom | December 11, 2017

Genuine

Great lawyer with legal knowledge in many areas of business as well as personal. I've worked with George for both and he is a great lawyer to consult with and/or hire.

Posted by Cindy | October 30, 2017

Super Lawyer

My husband and I owned a small business. As our business grew, George and his firm represented and protected us in all areas businesses encounter. We are thankful for his dedication to us and grateful for all the many services provided to us. George and his team was also successful in the sale of our business. We highly recommend George for any personal or business legal matters.

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Posted by John | July 24, 2017

Finds unique solutions to complicated legal problems

George was able to suggest to my Errors and Omissions law firm to go to mediation rather than a trial. We were able to come to a favorable agreement in one day rather than drag a court case out for months. He will tell you whether or not to pursue legal action even if it means not getting a non winnable case.

Posted by Bobby | May 30, 2017

Excellent in every way

Very professional and helpful. I wouldn't go anywhere else. He gave me all the information I needed along with the answers that made sense. If you are looking for someone to lead you in the right direction, or just get things done this is the office for you.

Posted by Liz | May 2, 2015

A Top Notch Lawyer

George is a top notch lawyer who is trustworthy and exudes class. For over 15 years he represented my father's litigating my father's business. He has represented our family in other matters. George is very trustworthy , resourceful and knowledgeable.

Posted by Mark | July 28, 2014

A Currently Active and Long Time Client of George Bellas

Yes, George Bellas is an excellent attorney. George has worked with me for over 20 years. He has handled my general business needs, business litigation cases and my personal legal needs, all with successful outcomes. If you walk into a court room with George, you will really understand what he stands for. You will see a person with a presence in a court room that commands respect and thus, you as his client get exceptional respect. Anyone who has been in any kind of litigation knows how important this intangible asset is. All aspects of business and personal lives have ups and downs. George is the lawyer you want with you for both.

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Posted by anonymous | July 28, 2014

Guidance on business to business debt collection

George kept me well informed during the process and gave solid guidance in an area I had little experience with. I felt his fee was reasonable and he delivered on exactly what he said he would. George is an experienced Lawyer who helped me solve a problem I could not solve.

Posted by Jerry | October 24, 2011

George Bellas

George is the kind of lawyer that instantly makes you feel comfortable. You feel like he understands your case is ready and able to fight for you. He has an outstanding presence in the court room. He is in charge and confident in his position. He makes you feel the same way.

Posted by anonymous | June 25, 2007

President & CVO

I have done business with George Bellas for over thirty years. The scope of practice has included estate planning with wills and trusts, dozens of real estate closings both residential and commercial, Incorporating at least a dozen businesses, drafting buy-sell/key-man and phantom stock option plans as well as the best non-competition contract ever written, authored emploee manuals along with severance package agreements and finally a mutually acceptable pre-nup agreement that worked for both business partners and spouse. His firm has also drafted six purchase agreements for other companies and has seen all six purchases through to completion.

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Posted by anonymous | June 24, 2007

attorney

top notch and practical

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Cost

Resume

AVVO RATING 10.0 (Superb)

Work Experience

Partner
Bellas & Wachowski Attorneys at Law
1992 - Present

Of Counsel
Clifford Law Offices (Chicago, Illinois)
1999 - 2007

Special State's Attorney, Appointed
Will County, Illinois
1976 - 1978

Education

Loyola University Chicago School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1973

Loyola University Chicago
BS - Bachelor of Science
1971

Legal Cases

Breneisen v. Motorola, et al.
Reversed summary judgment order on FMLA claims.

Associations

Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce
Member
2001 - Present

Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce
Director
1996 - 2010

American Association for Justice
Member
1992 - 2010

Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
Member
1990 - 2010

Northwest Suburban Bar Association
Past President
1990 - 1990

American Bar Association
Member
1990 - 2017

Illinois State Bar Association
Member
1982 - 2017

Northwest Suburban Bar Association
Member
1976 - 2017

View all associations

Languages Spoken

Greek

Polish

Honors and Awards

Illinois Super Lawyer
Chicago Magazine
2017

7th Circuit E-Discovery Committee
7th Circuit Court of Appeals
2017

Steven Sharp Public Service Award
Association of Trial Lawyers of America
2001

Million Dollar Club
Million Dollar Advocates Forum
1998

Summation Litigator of the Month
CT Summation
1998

View all awards

Publications

ISBA Trail Briefs
Possession Custody and Control under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and the Illinois Rules of Civil Procedure
2017

Illinois Trial Briefs
The Amendments to the Federal Rules: E-Discovery is the Focus
2016

ISBA Trial Briefs
A defamation action under Rule 224 is not afforded First Amendment protections so long as the “necessity” requirement is met.
2015

ITLA Trial Journal
"Taking a Page out of the Defense Bar's Playbook: Sharing Provisions in Protective Orders"
2009

ITLA Trial Journal
"Electronic Discovery: Wave Goodbye to Paper"
2008

Colorado Trial Lawyer Association publication (CTLA)
"The New Frontier: The Amended Rules of e-Discovery"
2006

American Association of Justice
"Using Electronic Discovery as a Weapon in an Auto Products Liability Case"
2006

Utah Trial Lawyers Association
"A New Frontier: The Amended Rules of e-Discovery"
2005

American Association for Justice (AAJ)
"Practical Uses of Portable Litigation Support"
2005

Trial Magazine, Association of Trial Lawyers of America
"Portable Litigation Support"
2005

View all publications

Speaking Engagements

Kane County Bar Civil Litigation Committee
E-Discovery: Technical Competence in a Changing Pretrial Paradigm"
2017

American Bar Association Legal Tech
E-Signatures, Authentication and Contracts
2016

NWSBA Dinner Meeting
Practice Pointers under the new Illinois Rules for E-Discovery
2015

Illinois State Bar Association, Allerton Conference
e-Discovery: The Principles adopted by the 7th Circuit
2011

American Association of Justice Annual Meeting
"Taking Your Case to Trial Using Litigation Support Software"
2006

American Association of Justice Annual Meeting
"The Ford Explorer, More Than Just the Tires"
2001

View all speaking engagements

Attorney endorsements

Received (5)

Given (14)

Endorse Geo

Steven Kozicki

Litigation Attorney | May 14
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer because George is the consummate advocate. He is a lawyer's lawyer, the type of lawyer others go to for advice. When you hire George, you know that you have the home team. I would recommend him to my mother, and have."

Robert Hanaford

Litigation Attorney | May 02
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"George Bellas has been on the forefront of finding innovative ways to reduce the cost of complex litigation. He is considered an expert in the area of managing, reviewing and producing electronically stored data in litigation."

Woodson Barnhart

Commercial real estate Attorney | Sep 22
Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. George is one of the most forward-thinking lawyers I know. He cares deeply for his clients and is constantly seeking ways to assist them. I heartily endorse George. Randy Barnhart"

Robert Palmer

Litigation Attorney | Jul 31
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Geo is one of the outstanding lawyers in the country and especially in the Chicago area. I would recommend him to anyone who needs top notch representation in a matter that might involve litigation."

Nick Kulagin

Litigation Attorney | Dec 08
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"George is one of the hardest working smartest lawyers I know. I would highly recommend him for any matter, including my own."