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George S. Bellas

George S. Bellas

Business Litigation Lawyer rated as an Illinois Super Lawyer
  • Business Law
  • Illinois
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Biography

Geo has handled numerous complex business disputes utilizing technology to assist his clients in handling litigation in an economical and efficient manner. Geo's litigation team has extensive experience in state and federal courts, and places the interests of their clients above all other interests.
Geo has been recognized by other attorneys as one of the best trial lawyers in Illinois:
- rated as an Illinois Super Lawyer for his work in business litigation for the past 15 years;
- recognized as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Illinois;
- rated as one of the Top 100 Defense Lawyers in Illinois;
- recipient of the highest award from the American Trial Lawyers;
- lectures extensively on the use of technology in litigation; and
- nationally recognized as a leader in e-discovery.
- Geo was one of a team of lawyers honored by Public Justice as Lawyers of the Year in August 2019 for the successful prosecution of claims against State Farm insurance involving State Farm's contributions to the successful election campaign of Justice Karmeier to the Illinois Supreme Court in 2004 and then concealing State Farm's involvement in the campaign to encourage Justice Karmeier to hear a case and vote to overturn a $1Billion judgment against State Farm. See the YouTube video about the case. The class action case settled in September 2018 after a jury was impaneled resulting in a class settlement.
- Geo was one of a team of lawyers honored in October 2019 by the Cook County Jury Verdict Reporter for Trial Lawyer Excellence for the successful prosecution of State Farm class action case.

Education
Loyola University Chicago
B.S. | Psychology
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Loyola University Chicago School of Law
J.D.
Loyola University Chicago School of Law Logo
Professional Experience
Senior Partner
Bellas & Wachowski - Attorneys at Law
- Current
Publications
Articles & Publications
Common-Law Doctrine trumps Fraudulent Transfer Act in holding decedent self-settlor to irrevocable pledge
Illinois State Bar Association, Trial Briefs
Developments in piercing the corporate veil
Illinois State Bar Association, Trial Briefs
Illinois’ Changes Regarding E-Discovery: What Illinois is Doing About it and What This Means for Practitioners in Illinois
Jurisdiction of Illinois courts based on Internet content without Zippo
Illinois State Bar Association, Trial Briefs
Lawyers who reveal personal client info shielded by litigation privilege
Illinois State Bar Association, Trial Briefs
The concept of ‘inherent power’ does not divest a circuit court of its jurisdiction – Comment regarding the Illinois Supreme Court case of LVNV Funding v. Matthen Trice
Illinois State Bar Association, Trial Briefs
The Illinois duty to preserve ESI: A bridge over troubled waters
Illinois State Bar Association, Trial Briefs
The Illinois Surpeme Court’s Adoption of the Tort of Intrusion by Seclusion
Southern Illinois University School of Law Journal
Why You Probably Can’t Subpoena Email from Google in Your Civil Case
llinois State Bar Association, Trial Briefs
"Blockchain as Evidence,"
Illinois State Bar Association, Trial Briefs, Illinois State Bar Association Trial Briefs, November 2019, vol. 66, no. 3
Self-authentication of digital records: New Illinois Rule of Evidence 902(13)
Illinois State Bar Association Trial Briefs
Speaking Engagements
E-Discovery in the 21st Century
Chicago Bar Association Tort Law Committee
February 2012
E-Discovery Considerations for the Modern Practice, Illinois Supreme Court Rules and Federal Rules in Pretrial Discovery, Corporate Practice Seminar
Chicago Bar Association, Young Lawyer Section
E-Discovery under the Federal Rules, the 7th Circuit E-Discovery Pilot Project and the 7th Circuit E-Discovery Principles, Annual Meeting
American Association of Justice
E-Discovery: Changing the Litigation Paradigm, Motions Involving Electronically Stored Data, CLE Seminar
Illinois State Bar Association
Managing e-Discovery when Resources are Limited, Live Webcast
ISBA Federal Civil Practice Section
Managing e-Discovery when Resources are Limited, ISBA Webinar
Adaptions of New Technologies in Civil Case Processes, ISBA Allerton Conference
April 2013
The New Illinois e-Discovery Rules, Pro-Bono CLE Program
Illinois State Bar Association
October 2014
The New Illinois e-Discovery Rules, CLE Program
Northwest Suburban Bar Association
November 2014
Practice Pointers under the new Illinois Rules for E-Discovery, ISBA CLE Program, East Moline, IL
Certifications
Certified Mediator
7th Circuit Electronic Discovery Voluntary E-Mediation program
Awards
Steven Sharp Award
American Association for Justice
Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Illinois
American Trial Lawyers Association
Illinois Super Lawyer
Super Lawyers
Litigator of the Month
Summation
AV Preeminent Attorney
Martindale-Hubbell
Professional Associations
Illinois State Bar
Member
Current
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American Bar Association
Member
Current
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Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
Member
Current
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Million Dollar Advocates Forum
Member
Current
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Public Justice Foundation
Member
- Current
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American Association for Justice
Member
- Current
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Northwest Suburban Bar Association
Member
- Current
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Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
Illinois
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7th Circuit
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U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois, Federal Trial Bar
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Fees
  • Credit Cards Accepted
  • Contingent Fees
    We offer creative fee arrangements to provide the best services possible to the client.
Practice Area
Business Law
Business Contracts, Business Dissolution, Business Finance, Business Formation, Business Litigation, Franchising, Mergers & Acquisitions, Partnership & Shareholder Disputes
Additional Practice Areas
  • Business Litigation
  • Civil Litigation
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Real Estate Litigation
Languages
  • English: Spoken, Written
Websites & Blogs
Website
George S. Bellas' Attorney Profile
Website
Bellas & Wachowski - Attorneys at Law Website
Blog
Chicago Business Attorney Blog
Blog
Attorneys Creative Roundtable
Videos
Contact & Map
Bellas & Wachowski - Attorneys at Law
Park Ridge Office
15 N Northwest Hwy
Park Ridge, IL 60068
Toll-Free: (800) 825-9260
Telephone: (847) 823-9032
Fax: (847) 823-9393