Yao O. Dinizulu

With almost 20 years of experience in serious injury, wrongful death, nursing home abuse and trucking accidents, Mr. Dinizulu has represented thousands of injury cases, many of which have resulted in verdicts and settlements of over millions of dollars.

Recognized both locally and nationally for advancing civil rights causes and championing social issues, Mr. Dinizulu is an innovator, always seeking to use cutting-edge technology to ensure that he achieves the greatest results for his clients. This includes incorporating visual media technologies while presenting evidence in courtrooms, using contact management software to keep clients up-to-date on their cases, as well as actively monitoring and staying ahead of any upcoming changes in legislation.

For excellence in legal expertise, he has been named a 2012 Rising Star in Super Lawyers’ national magazine, as well as one of the “12 People to Watch in 2012” by Chicago Now’s Glenn Murray. He was featured in March 2009 issue of Black Enterprise magazine, highlighting his firm’s use of leading technology to obtain optimal results for his clients. He was also featured in the Law Bulletin Publishing Company’s “40 under 40” in 2007.  

Mr. Dinizulu has represented individuals and corporations in many tort actions ranging from trucking/motor vehicle accidents, to wrongful deaths and nursing home negligence. As the founder and senior partner of the Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd., he often serves clients located in Cook County and neighboring counties, Mr. Dinizulu operates a regional practice that handles cases from state to state and federal courts. 

Demonstrating his compassion for his community, Mr. Dinizulu is actively engaged in numerous community activities involving civic and faith-based organizations. In addition, Mr. Dinizulu frequently makes several public appearances to address issues specifically affecting the African American community.

Bar and Court Admissions

        Supreme Court of Illinois

        U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois

        U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana

        U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois Federal Trial Bar

Education

        J.D., University of Illinois College of Law, 1997

        B.S., A&M University, Tallahassee, Florida. Magna cum laude, 1994

Professional Associations

• Cook County Bar Association

       Former Member, Board of Director

       Former Vice-Chair, Judicial Evaluations Committee

       Co-Chair, Tort Litigation Committee

       Former Member, YLS Committee Chicago Bar Association

       Member, Section on Tort Litigation

       Member, Minorities in the Profession

• Illinois Trial Lawyers Association

       Member, Civil Practice & Rules Committee

       Member, Civil Rights & Criminal Law Committee

•American Bar Association

       Member, Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section

       Member, Law Practice Management Section

Speaking Engagements

• Panelist – Perspective Talk Show, Recognizing Nursing Home Abuse and Negligence

• Repeat Guest on WVON’s The Cliff Kelley Show

• The Role of the ARDC Hearing Officer, John Marshall Law School

• Protecting Your Loved Ones in Nursing Homes, ABJ Services, August 2006

• Introduction to Nursing Home Abuse, Cook County Bar Association, April 2007

• The Multi-Level Nursing Home Corporate Structure: Transparency, Accountability and Common Sense, Yao O. Dinizulu, Esq., and Jennifer Matta, Esq. 2009

Awards & Recognition

• “2012 Rising Star,” Super Lawyers’ National Magazine, 2012

• “12 People to Watch,” Chicago Now, 2012

• Featured in Black Enterprise magazine, March 2009 

• “40 under 40,” Law Bulletin Publishing Company, 2007

Verdicts & Settlements

• Doe v. Municipality Case Sealed                                                    

  Settlement $3,000, Child Sexual Abuse

• Estate of Sheila Jones v. Advocate Health & Hospitals Corp. No.: 06 l 1924      

  Settlement $2,350, Wrongful Death - Medical Malpractice

• Lynnette Williams v. Bodine Electric Co.  Case No. 02 L 008231                    

  Verdict $1,779, Wrongful Termination

• Scarver v Durable Medical Equipment Company 2015                          

  Settlement $1,650, Wrongful Death 

• Doe v. Municipality                                                                    

  Settlement $1,450, Civil Rights Rape Kit Processing

• Eugene Taylor et al v. Total Facility Maintenance Inc. Case No.05 L 4681        

  Settlement  $1,000,. Premises Liability

• Pierre Milburn v Advantage                                                          

  Settlement $1,000, Van Accident

• The Estate of Doe vs. ABC Agency Case No. 02 L 003106                          

  Partial Settlement Trial Pending  $725, Wrongful Death 

• The Estate of Williams Wilson v Wilson Care Inc. Case No. 01 L 001162    

   Settlement $700, Nursing Home Negligence