We strive to obtain complete and swift justice for our clients. We limit our practice to people and their families who have suffered serious injuries or death due to the wrongful conduct of individuals, corporations or governmental agencies. There is no charge for consulting our office, and for meritorious cases, we represent clients on a contingent fee basis. For further information about our successes for other clients, please see our site, www.pfaffgill.com
Practice areas
Products that we have proved unsafe include Ford Explorers, Ford Escorts, Chevrolet Cavaliers, and other vehicles; punch presses; grinding machines; garage door operators; and many other industrial and consumer products.
43 years, 300 cases
Of the hundreds of medical negligence cases I have prosecuted, most are in these areas of medicine: obstetrics, gynecology, anesthesia, and infectious diseases. Birth injury and brain damage cases are areas of concentration for me.
43 years, 500 cases
My work in general personal injury cases includes automotive negligence; premises liability; sexual assault; and all other forms of negligence cases.
43 years, 500 cases
My wrongful death verdicts include a state record for loss of society damages ($25M out of a total verdict of $27M) and two verdicts exceeding $9M.
43 years, 200 cases
Languages spoken
English
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
IL | Active And Authorized To Practice Law | 1984 | 03/03/2022 |
CA | Resigned | 1979 | 02/06/2022 |
Legal answers | 17 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
Top 10, Illinois Super Lawyers award | Chicago magazine | 2011 |
"AV" rating | Martindale Hubbell | 2011 |
Chicago Product Liability lawyer of the year | Best lawyers | 2011 |
Product liability, personal injury and medical malpractice | Best Lawyers in America | 2010 |
President's Award | Illinois Trial Lawyers Association | 2000 |
Finalist, Trial Lawyer of the Year | Trial Lawyers for Public Justice | 1998 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
President, Founding Partner | Pfaff, Gill & Ports, Ltd. | 1991 - Present |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Illinois State Bar Association | Legislation committee | 2002 - Present |
Illinois Trial Lawyers Association | Chair, Amicus Curiae Committee | 1994 - Present |
Supreme Court Special Committee on E-Business | Chair | 2011 - 2011 |
American Board of Trial Advocates | National Board Member | 2001 - 2007 |
Illinois Pattern Instructions committee | Member | 1999 - 2010 |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Chicago Bar Assocation Record | The [Jurors] Right to Submit Questions | 2009 |
ITLA's Medical Negligence Notebook | Update for Medical Negligence Notebook, “Res Ipsa Loquitor,” | 2007 |
ITLA Journal | Enforcing Darling Liabilities | 2005 |
Voir Dire magazine (American Board of Trial Advocates) | Jury Trials in Complex Cases Survive Iowa Fight | 2004 |
Voir Dire magazine | Too Complex for a Jury? | 2003 |
Chicago Daily Law Bulletin | Texts Should Have Vital Role in Litigation | 2001 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
University of California, Hastings College of the Law | JD - Juris Doctor | 1979 |
Dartmouth College | A.B. | 1976 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Technology to Know Now in Tort Litigation | "Presenting the Case to a Jury" | 2012 |
AAJ (American Association for Justice) Annual Convention | Consumer Expectations and Risk-Utility in Strict Products Liability | 2009 |
Settlement Workshop | Settlement Approaches: Plaintiff's Perspective | 2008 |
Trial Practice | Opening Statements | 2007 |
Product Liability Cases | Crashworthiness Cases | 2007 |
Masters in Trial: Crashworthiness case | Expert witness examination | 2007 |
ITLA update and review | Use of Literature | 2007 |
ITLA update and review | Product Liability: Evidence and Jury Instructions | 2007 |
AIEG Spring Conference | Automotive Seat Defect cases | 2007 |
ATLA Midwinter Convention | Investigating and Proving Crashworthiness Cases | 2006 |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
J.P. v. Central Illinois manufacturer | $7,500,000 settlement |
Bryant v. Kim | $30,000,000 verdict |
Okaro v. Edgewater Medical Center | $9,346,663 verdict |
Doris Burger v. Advocate Lutheran General Medical Group | $10,500,000 jury verdict |
Carrillo v. Ford Motor Co. | $14,500,000 verdict, affirmed on appeal |
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April 30, 2017
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February 24, 2017
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February 16, 2017
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January 29, 2016
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August 25, 2013
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August 15, 2013
Leslie McPadden, Medical malpractice Attorney on Oct 11, 2015
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I endorse this lawyer. I have the privilege representing a family with Bruce. In 20 years of practice, representing clients in my home state in Connecticut and several other states, I have never known someone as direct and effective as Bruce. His clarity, confidence and instincts are unmatched. He is completely fearless and the best advocate in the United States.
Judson Graham, Defective and dangerous products Attorney on Jun 30, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Mr. Pfaff is one of the best in Chicago. He has consistently taken on challenging cases, and has achieved phenomenal outcomes for his clients. I have had the pleasure of sitting at Daley Center and watching him work a case through a jury trial, and he is meticulous, passionate, and extremely knowledgeable. For product liability cases, there are few on par with Mr. Pfaff.
Leslie McPadden, Medical malpractice Attorney on Oct 11, 2015
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I endorse this lawyer. I have the privilege representing a family with Bruce. In 20 years of practice, representing clients in my home state in Connecticut and several other states, I have never known someone as direct and effective as Bruce. His clarity, confidence and instincts are unmatched. He is completely fearless and the best advocate in the United States.
Judson Graham, Defective and dangerous products Attorney on Jun 30, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Mr. Pfaff is one of the best in Chicago. He has consistently taken on challenging cases, and has achieved phenomenal outcomes for his clients. I have had the pleasure of sitting at Daley Center and watching him work a case through a jury trial, and he is meticulous, passionate, and extremely knowledgeable. For product liability cases, there are few on par with Mr. Pfaff.
Michael Waddington, Personal injury Attorney on May 21, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse Bruce. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community.
Frank Difranco, Personal injury Attorney on May 6, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Bruce is the BEST! Meticulous and relentless, you want this guy on your side.
Michael Carter, Personal injury Attorney on Jul 2, 2009
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer's work. He is widely recognized as an excellent trial and appellate lawyer. I have not worked with or for him. Nor is he a personal friend. However, I, and many others have appreciated and benefited from the work he has done.
Matthew Ports, Personal injury Attorney on Jan 31, 2008
Relationship: Co-worker
Bruce is an outstanding attorney and the best trial lawyer I have ever met. His work ethic is unmatched, and I can only hope to emulate his devotion to the protection of individuals from big corporations and insurance companies. It is my privilege to call him my friend and mentor.
Jerry Latherow, Wrongful death Attorney on Jan 18, 2008
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer's work. I worked with Bruce in the same firm over 20 years ago, and still have contact with him through the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association. I am aware of various cases in which he has been, or is, involved. I consider him among the finest plaintiffs lawyers in Illinois.