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Dennis VanDerGinst

Dennis VanDerGinst

VanDerGinst Law
  • Personal Injury, Insurance Claims, Medical Malpractice ...
  • Illinois, Iowa
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Biography

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 2018 and 2020, 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.

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.

Education
DePaul College of Law
J.D. (1989)
DePaul College of Law Logo
Professional Experience
President/CEO
VanDerGinst Law
- Current
Practice focused on all areas of personal injury law including, but not limited to: motor vehicle accidents, product liability, premises liability, construction accidents, medical malpractice, nursing home abuse, wrongful death litigation, mass and class actions and all cases where negligence has caused injury.
Managing Partner
VanDerGinst, Roche and Westensee
-
Practice focused on all areas of personal injury law including, but not limited to: motor vehicle accidents, product liability, premises liability, construction accidents, medical malpractice, nursing home abuse, wrongful death litigation, mass and class actions and all cases where negligence has caused injury.
Managing Partner
Braud, Westenssee and VanDerGinst
-
Practice focused on all areas of personal injury law including, but not limited to: motor vehicle accidents, product liability, premises liability, construction accidents, medical malpractice, nursing home abuse, wrongful death litigation, mass and class actions and all cases where negligence has caused injury.
Partner
Braud/Westensee, Ltd
-
Practice focused on all areas of personal injury law including, but not limited to: motor vehicle accidents, product liability, premises liability, construction accidents, medical malpractice, nursing home abuse, wrongful death litigation, mass and class actions and all cases where negligence has caused injury.
Adjunct Professor
Black Hawk College
-
Torts and Insurance Law
Senior Associate
Braud/Warner, Ltd
-
Practice focused on all areas of personal injury law including, but not limited to: motor vehicle accidents, product liability, premises liability, construction accidents, medical malpractice, nursing home abuse, wrongful death litigation, mass and class actions and all cases where negligence has caused injury.
Associate Attorney
Wylie, Mulherin, Rehfeldt and Varchetto
-
Practice focused primarily on insurance defense litigation and insurance coverage issues.
Associate Attorney
Elliot Samuels, Ltd.
-
Practice focused on general civil litigation, criminal defense and appellate practice
Student Attorney
Depaul Legal Clinic
-
Responsibilities included client interviews, research, motion and trial practice in the areas of divorce, adoption, and bankruptcy.
Law Clerk
Elliot Samuels, Ltd.
-
Practice focused on general civil litigation, criminal defense and appellate practice
Publications
Articles & Publications
Busting Myths About Personal Injury
VMail
Certifications
Certified Arbitrator
State of Illinois Fourteenth Judicial Circuit
Awards
Avvo Client's Choice
Avvo
Avvo is a Lawyer Ratings Service. In addition to being rated 10/10 Dennis has been awarded the Client's Choice Award in Personal Injury. Dennis has earned this distinction since 2014
Lawyer of Distonction
Lawyers of Distinction
Lawyers are nominated by peers. Then an independent review is done on indicators of professional achievement and peer recognition. Next, an ethics review is completed. Less than 10% of attorneys qualify
Member
Super Lawyers
Top 100 Trial Lawyers
The National Trial Lawyers
The National Trial Lawyers accepts nominations from peers as to premier trial lawyers across the country who exemplify superior qualifications.  Dennis has been so honored since 2013
Top 1%
National Association of Distinguished Counsel
Honorees are thoroughly vetted by a research team, selected by a blue ribbon panel of attorneys with podium status from independently neutral organizations, and approved by a judicial review board as exhibiting virtue in the practice of law.  Dennis has been so honored each year since 2015.
Member
Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
Honorees must have acted as Principal Counsel in at least one case which resulted in a trial verdict (and final judgment), award or settlement in the present value amount of Two Million Dollars or more.  Dennis first earned this honor back in 2007 when it was first established.
Member
Million Dollar Advocates Forum
Membership includes only those attorneys who have achieved million and multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements for their clients. Fewer than 1% of all U.S. lawyers are allowed membership into this organization.
AV Preeminent Designation
Martindale-Hubbell
Client Champion Award: Gold Status
Martindale-Hubbell
Superb rating, 10/10
Avvo
Lifetime Charter Member
Distinguished Justice Advocates
Less than 100 attorneys in each state are recognized, even fewer have been named as Lifetime Charter Members.
Top 100 Lawyers
American Society of Legal Advocates
This honor is a nationwide organization of elite lawyers in practice today who combine stellar legal credentials with a proven commitment to community engagement and the highest professional standards. A team of lawyers spent six months researching tens of thousands of lawyers across the country and manually selecting less than 1.5% of all lawyers based on an array of criteria. ASLA’s Top 100 Lawyers recognize exceptional legal talent.
Best Attorney- Reader's Choice Awards
Quad City Times
Selected by readers of the Quad City Times
BBB Torch Awards for Ethics
Better Business Bureau
Lifetime Achievement Award
Premier Lawyers of America
Honorees are identified by an Advisory Committee or attorney nominations. That then evaluated based on a number if criteria including:  case outcomes, legal experience, certifications, teaching experience, published works, reviews, etc.  A second review is conducted to select lifetime honorees.  Less than 1% of attorneys are selected as a member of Premier Lawyers of America, Even fewer are honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award.  To be nominated is a privilege. To be recognized is a true honor. To receive the Lifetime Achievement award signifies an elite level of legal excellence that merits a once-in-a-lifetime recognition
10 Best Attorneys-Illinois
American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys
American Institute of Legal Counsel is an impartial third-party attorney rating organization comprised of 6 divisions consisting of Criminal, DUI/DWI, Personal Injury, Bankruptcy, Elder, and Family Law. The American Institute of Legal Counsel compiles an exclusive list of the “10 Best” Attorneys for each State. This is a prestigious honor for the Attorney as each Attorney must: Be formally nominated by the Institute, client, and/or fellow Attorney; Have attained the highest degree of professional achievement in his or her field of law; and Having done so with an impeccable Client Satisfaction rating.
Best Personal Injury Law firm-Midwest USA
US Business News
US Business News ensures their awards are only given based on merit and not how many votes have been received. They investigate many different fields when judging a firm.  Dedication to client service, demonstrated excellence in areas of focus, reported verdicts and settlements, peer and client reviews, are all areas that are considered and factored into the decisions of their research team
LIfetime Charter Member
Best Attorneys of America®
Less than 1% of Attorneys in the U.S. have been invited to even become a member. Becoming a Lifetime Charter Member is reserved for lawyers with an extraordinary level of legal expertise, competency, professional reputation, professionalism, and ethical standards. Lifetime Charter Membership is limited to 100 attorneys in each state.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Marquis Who's Who
Mr. VanDerGinst has been consistently selected to various lists of Who's Who over the years. But, in 2017 he was presented the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award, in recognition of his many years of excellence in the legal profession. He was selected for achievements, leadership qualities, and the credentials and successes he has accrued in his field
Member
The National Academy of Jurisprudence
The National Academy of Jurisprudence is an invitation-only professional organization, created for premier trial attorneys throughout the US.
Professional Associations
Association of Plaintiff Interstate Rucking Lawyers of America
National Advisory Board Member
Current
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National Crime Victim Bar Association
Former National Board of Directors
Current
Activities: Former National Board of Directors
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Pound Civil Justice Institute
Former Board of Trustees
- Current
Activities: Former Board of Trustees
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Brain Injury Association of Illinois
Member
- Current
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Brain Injury Association of America
Member
- Current
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Scott County Bar Association
Member
- Current
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American Association for Justice
Iowa State Delegate
- Current
Activities: Current Iowa State Delegate, former Illinois State Delegate, Leader's Forum, President's Club, Attorney Information Exchange Group, Birth Injuries Litigation Group, Birth Trauma Litigation Group, Committee on Lawyer Marketing and Client Services, Former Chairman Sub-Committee on Internet Marketing and Client Services, Insurance Section, Interstate Trucking Litigation Group, Motor Vehicle Collision, Highway & Premises Liability Section, Nursing Home Litigation Group, Product Liability Section, Professional Negligence Section, Railroad Law Section, Small Office Practice Section, Toxic, Environmental & Pharmaceutical Torts Section.
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Iowa Association for Justice
Board of Governors
- Current
Activities: Iowa State Delegate to AAJ, CLE Committee, Sponsorship Committee, Legislative Committee
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Iowa State Bar Association
Member
- Current
Activities: Law Panels Committee, Litigation Section, Services to the Elderly Committee
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Rock Island County Bar Association
Member
- Current
Activities: Bar Assn. Liaison to Young Lawyers Committee, former Board of Managers
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Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
Former Board of Managers
- Current
Activities: Board of Advocates 2000-2002, Civil Practice & Rules Committee, Continuing Legal Education Committee, Former Illinois State Delegate, ATLA, Insurance Law Committee, Legislative Committee, Medical Negligence Committee, Membership Committee, Product Liability and Insurance Law Committee, Product Liability Committee, Publications Committee, Young Lawyers Committee
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Illinois State Bar Association
Member
- Current
Activities: Civil Practice & Procedure Section, Elder Law Section. Insurance Law Section. Tort Law Section.
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Chicago Bar Association
Member
- Current
Activities: Class Litigation Committee, Insurance Law Committee, Tort Litigation Committee
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American Bar Association
Member
- Current
Activities: Automobile Law Committee, Litigation Section, Medicine & Law Committee, Products, General Liability & Consumer Law Committee, Tort Law & Insurance Section.
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Academy of Trial Professionals
Member
-
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Wisconsin Academy of trial Lawyers
Member
-
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Winnebago County Bar Association
Member
-
Activities: Continuing Legal Education Committee. Editorial Board. Legal/Medical Committee. Professional Responsibility Committee. Trial Section
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Dupage County Bar Association
Member
-
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Cook County Bar Association
Member
-
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Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
Illinois
Supreme Court of Illinois
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Iowa
Supreme Court of Iowa
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7th Circuit
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Fees
  • Free Consultation
Practice Areas
    Personal Injury
    Animal & Dog Bites, Brain Injury, Car Accidents, Construction Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Premises Liability, Truck Accidents, Wrongful Death
    Insurance Claims
    Bad Faith Insurance, Business Insurance, Disability Insurance, Health Insurance, Life Insurance, Motor Vehicle Insurance, Property Insurance
    Medical Malpractice
    Birth Injury, Medical Misdiagnosis, Pharmacy Errors, Surgical Errors
    Products Liability
    Drugs & Medical Devices, Motor Vehicle Defects, Toxic Torts
    Nursing Home Abuse
    Asbestos & Mesothelioma
Additional Practice Area
  • Veterans Disability
Languages
  • English: Spoken, Written
Websites & Blogs
Website
Blog
Contact & Map
VanDerGinst Law-Injury
1095 W Morse Blvd
Suite 100
Winter Park, FL 32789
Toll-Free: (800) 960-8520
Telephone: (309) 793-1234
Fax: (309) 517-3020
Monday: 8 AM - 5 PM (Today)
Tuesday: 8 AM - 5 PM
Wednesday: 8 AM - 5 PM
Thursday: 8 AM - 5 PM
Friday: 8 AM - 3:30 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
VanDerGinst Law-Injury Attorneys
301 N Neil St,
Suite 405
Champaign, IL 61291
Toll-Free: (800) 960-8529
Telephone: (309) 793-1234
Fax: (309) 517-3020
Monday: 8 AM - 5 PM (Today)
Tuesday: 8 AM - 5 PM
Wednesday: 8 AM - 5 PM
Thursday: 8 AM - 5 PM
Friday: 8 AM - 3:30 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
VanDerGinst Law, P.C. - Injury Attorneys
205 W Randolph St.
Suite 1440
Chicago, IL 60606
Toll-Free: (866) 764-4529
Telephone: (312) 372-2599
Monday: 8 AM - 5 PM (Today)
Tuesday: 8 AM - 5 PM
Wednesday: 8 AM - 5 PM
Thursday: 8 AM - 5 PM
Friday: 8 AM - 3:30 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
VanDerGinst Law, P.C. - Injury Attorneys
400 Locust St.
Suite 170
Des Moines, IA 50309
Toll-Free: (866) 797-4529
Monday: 8 AM - 5 PM (Today)
Tuesday: 8 AM - 5 PM
Wednesday: 8 AM - 5 PM
Thursday: 8 AM - 5 PM
Friday: 8 AM - 3:30 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
VanDerGinst Law, P.C. - Injury Attorneys
4950 38th Ave
Moline, IL 61265
Toll-Free: (866) 797-5291
Monday: 8 AM - 5 PM (Today)
Tuesday: 8 AM - 5 PM
Wednesday: 8 AM - 5 PM
Thursday: 8 AM - 5 PM
Friday: 8 AM - 3:30 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
Notice: We are opening new cases and working remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic.
VanDerGinst Law, P.C. - Injury Attorneys
1030 Mount Vernon Road Southeast
Cedar Rapids, IA 52403
Toll-Free: (866) 797-5294
Monday: 8 AM - 5 PM (Today)
Tuesday: 8 AM - 5 PM
Wednesday: 8 AM - 5 PM
Thursday: 8 AM - 5 PM
Friday: 8 AM - 3:30 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
Notice: We are opening new cases and working remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic.