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About Dennis
Biography
After being in private practice for more than three decades, almost exclusively limited to litigation before the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission and appeals of their decisions in the circuit and appellate courts. I now serve as an arbitrator for the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission.
Practice Areas
1
Practice Area
Workers Compensation
100%
46 years
Fees and Rates
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Illinois for 47 years
State: Illinois
Acquired: 1978
No misconduct found
Location
Law Offices of Dennis Sean O'Brien
400 S. Ninth Street, Springfield, IL, 62701
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Dennis Sean O'Brien's Reviews
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Dennis Sean O'Brien's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer. In addition to being one of the finest lawyers in this community, he is one of the finest actors. You can count on him represent your interests to utmost."
"I endorse this lawyer."
W. Hanken
Criminal defense lawyer
Kenneth Werts
Workers compensation lawyer
Experience
Honors
2005
Who's Who in America, Marquis' Who's Who
2003
Who's Who in American Law, Marquis' Who's Who
1987
Who's Who of Emerging Leaders in America, Marquis' Who's Who
1986
Who's Who in the Midwest, Marquis' Who's Who
1975
Outstanding Young Men of America, Outstanding Young Americans
Work Experience
2019 - Present
Arbitrator, Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission
1980 - 2019
Vice-President & Secretary, Livingstone, Mueller, O'Brien & Davlin, P.C.
1978 - 1980
Assistant States Attorney - Felony Division, Lake County States Attorney
Associations
2022 - Present
Springfield Municipal OperaChairman, Board of Trustees
2018 - Present
Illinois State Bar Association, Worker's Compensation SectionMember
2011 - Present
Springfield Municipal OperaBoard of Trustees
1980 - Present
Sangamon County Bar AssociationMember
1978 - Present
Illinois State Bar AssociationMember
2010 - 2011
Springfield Municipal OperaPresident
2009 - 2010
Springfield Municipal OperaVice President
2008 - 2010
Sangamon Valley Youth SymphonyVice-President
2007 - 2008
Sangamon Valley Youth SymphonyPresident
2006 - 2014
Illinois Association of Defense Trial CounselMember
2005 - 2010
Sangamon Valley Youth SymphonyMember, Board of Directors
2005 - 2006
Illinois State Bar Association, Worker's Compensation Section CouncilMember
2003 - 2005
Leading Lawyers NetworkMember, Board of Advisors
2000 - 2015
American Bar AssociationMember
1997 - 2022
Illinois High School AssociationRecognized Soccer Referee
1995 - 1997
Sangamon County Bar AssociationMember, Board of Directors
1992 - 1999
Lincoln-Douglas American Inn of CourtMember
1990 - 1992
Springfield Municipal OperaPresident
1988 - 1990
Illinois State Bar Association, Worker's Compensation Section CouncilMember
1987 - 1989
Springfield Theatre CentreMember, Board of Directors
1980 - 2014
Central Illinois Adjusters AssociationMember
1972 - 2011
Springfield Municipal OperaMember, Board of Managers
Sample of Legal Cases
White vs. Workers' Compensation Commission, 374 Ill. App. 3d 907, 873 N.E.2d 388, 313 Ill. Dec. 764 (2007)
Compensation denied
Hatfill vs. Industrial Commission, 202 Ill. App. 3d 547, 560 N.E.2d 369, 148 Ill. Dec. 67 (1990)
Plaintiff denied compensation
Treasurer of the State of Illinois vs. Industrial Commission, 136 Ill. App. 3d 809, 483 N.E.2d 1016, 91 Ill.Dec. 530 (1985)
Employer's liability was limited
Horath vs. Industrial Commission, 96 Ill.2d 349, 449 N.E.2d 1345, 70 Ill.Dec. 741 (1983)
Plaintiff denied compensation
People v. Cart, 102 Ill. App. 3d 173, 429 N.E.2d 553, 57 Ill. Dec. 655 (1981)
Defendants convicted: conspiracy to commit murder
People vs. Ruth Cohn, 91 Ill.App.3d 209, 414 N.E.2d 543, 46 Ill.Dec. 659 (1980)
Defendant convicted of conspiracy to commit murder
Education
1978
Loyola University Chicago School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1975
Dominican University
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2014
Annual Conference
Developments in Illinois Workers' Compensation
2012
IWCC Judicial Training
Structured Settlements
2008
Annual Convention
Minimizing Workers’ Compensation Costs
2007
Annual Convention
The Proper Preparation for Workers’ Compensation Cases
2005
Annual Convention
Update on Recent Workers’ Comp Developments
2004
Occupational Health Seminar
Injuries in the Workplace
1999
1999 Annual Loss Control Seminar
Proper Preparation for and Response to Allegations of Sexual Misconduct in Our
1998
1998 Annual Loss Control Seminar
Violence in the Workplace
1997
Claims Adjusters Training Conference
Average Weekly Wage & Differential Awards
1997
Annual Convention
Employment Law: Sexual Harassment, Discharge, Drug Testing
1997
Annual Convention
Examining the Workers' Compensation Process
1997
1997 Annual Loss Control Seminar
Legal Issues of Interest to School Administrators
Publications
2023
Workers' Compensation Update - Spring 2023, Illinois State Bar Association Law Ed Series
Social Media and the Rules of Professional Responsibility (with Gwain Charlton-Perrin)
2022
Workers' Compensation Update - Fall 2022, Illinois State Bar Association Law Ed Series
A View From The Bench (with Commissioner Deborah Baker)
2021
Workers' Compensation Update, Illinois State Bar Association Law Ed Series
Trial Presentation and Proposed Decisions: An Arbitrator's Perspective
2020
Developing and Admitting Medical Evidence, Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education
Handling Medical Evidence in Work Comp Cases
2018
2nd Annual Ethics Institute - Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education
Avoiding the Pitfalls of Social Media
2018
5th Annual Workers' Compensation Institute - Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education
What Should I OrShouldn't I Do With Social Media?
2017
Advanced Workers' Compensation - National Business Institute
Litigation Techniques for the Difficult Workers' Compensation Case
2016
Workers' Compensation Law And Practice - Sterling Educations Services, Inc.
Ethical and Professional Behavior
2015
2nd Annual Workers' Compensation Institute - Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education
Social Media Ethics
2014
Workers' Compensation Institute
The Ethical Use of Social Media
2013
Workers' Compensation Hearings: Techniques and Strategies for Success, National Business Institute
Avoiding Ethical Obstacles
2013
Workers' Compensation Hearings: Techniques and Strategies for Success, National Business Institute
How Medical Issues Factor Into the Settlement Process
2012
Advanced Workers' Compensation: Trial Practice Under the New Act, Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education
Wage Loss
2011
Getting Started with the New Workers Compensation Practice Reform
How to Handle a Workers' Compensation Case from Beginning - Respondent's Perspective
2010
Starting Points: Filing and Responding to a Workers' Compensation Claim, Illinois institute for Continuing Legal Education
Medical Deposition: Making It Work For You - The Respondent's Perspective
2008
Advanced Workers' Compensation, National Business Institute
Selected Issues in Workers' Compensation Law
2008
Starting Points: Filing and Responding to a Workers' Compensation Claim, Illinois institute for Continuing Legal Education
Medical Depositions of Physicians - Respondent's Perspective
2008
Workers' Compensation Update in Illinois, Lorman Education Services
Employer's Role in Handling Claims
2007
Starting Points! Taking Your First Doctor’s Deposition, Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education
Civility During Depositions; Resolving Problems; Ethical Considerations
2007
Starting Points! Filing & Responding to Your First Workers' Comp Case, Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education
Preparing for the Trial, (with Michael John Evers)
2006
Advanced Workers’ Compensation: Practice Impact of the New Law, Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education
Effects of the New Rules on Business and the Employee, (with Michael John Evers)
2006
Seventh Annual Seminar in Human Resources, Society for Human Resources Management
Impact of the New Illinois Workers’ Compensation Legislation on your Business
2005
Council on Education in Management
Update on Recent Workers’ Comp Developments, (with Arnold Rubin)
2005
Handling Your First Workers’ Compensation Claim, Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education
The Three Elements of a Workers’ Compensation Claim: Accident, Arising Out of, and Occurring in the Course of Employment, (with David M. Barish and Timothy M. Shay)
2005
Sixth Annual Seminar in Human Resources, Society for Human Resources Management
An Employer’s Response to Worker’s Compensation: Reducing Your Risk, Improving Employee Relations and Decreasing Your Costs
2005
Workers' Compensation Seminar 2005, Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education
Oral Arguments
2005
Council on Education in Management
Partnering with Your Claims Adjuster and Defense Counsel for Effective Claims Management: Reducing the Risks to Your Organization
2004
Workers’ Compensation Seminar 2004, Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education
After the Arbitration — Preparing the Proposed Decision for the Arbitrator
2004
Workers’ Compensation Seminar 2004, Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education
Before the Oral Argument — Preparing the Statement of Exceptions
2004
Workers’ Compensation in Illinois (with Thomas Mark Schmidt), Lorman Education Services, Inc.,
Employer’s Role in Handling Claims
1999
Workers’ Compensation Hearings in Illinois, National Business Institute
Appeals - Look Before You Leap
1999
Illinois Return to Work Issues in Workers’ Compensation, Lorman Education Services, Inc.
Legal Issues in Return to Work Decisions
1999
Workers’ Compensation Hearings in Illinois, National Business Institute
Now That The Claim Has Been Filed, What Do I Do? The Employer’s Perspective
1997
Advanced Workers' Compensation in Illinois, National Business Institute
Litigation Techniques for the Difficult Workers' Compensation Case
1997
Advanced Workers' Compensation in Illinois, National Business Institute
Ethical Obligations
1996
Advanced Workers' Compensation in Illinois, National Business Institute
Causal Relationship
1996
Advanced Workers' Compensation in Illinois, National Business Institute
Ethical Considerations
1995
Illinois Workers' Compensation For Self-Insureds, Lorman Education Services, Inc
Illinois Workers' Compensation Law - Recent Developments
1995
Illinois Workers' Compensation For Self-Insureds, Lorman Education Services, Inc.
Illinois Workers' Compensation - Nuts and Bolts
1995
Workers' Compensation in Illinois (with Bradford Bucklin), National Business Institute
Hearings -- When Voluntary Settlement Cannot Be Reached
1995
Workers' Compensation in Illinois, National Business Institute
Procedure From Filing Of Claim Through Arbitration
1995
Illinois Labor and Employment Law, National Business Institute
In Your Client's Best Interests - Ethical Considerations
1994
Advanced Workers' Compensation in Illinois, National Business Institute
Review and Appellate Procedure
1994
Self-Insured in Illinois, National Business Institute
Fraudulent Claims
1994
Self-Insured in Illinois, National Business Institute
Ethical Considerations When Practicing Before the Industrial Commission
1994
Self-Insured in Illinois, National Business Institute
Handling Informal Hearings Without An Attorney - Pro Se Settlements
1994
Illinois Labor and Employment Law, National Business Institute
Injuries in the Workplace - Examining the Workers' Compensation Process
1994
Advanced Workers' Compensation in Illinois, National Business Institute
Second Injury Fund and Rate Adjustment Fund Cases
1993
Advanced Workers' Compensation in Illinois, National Business Institute
Appellate Process and Practice
1989
Trial of a Workers' Compensation Case and Beyond, ISBA Law Ed Series
The Proper Use of Medical Records and Reports