Melanie K. Fairman
Seidman, Margulis & Fairman, LLP
Melanie K. Fairman is an experienced trial attorney who has represented plaintiffs in personal injury and wrongful death actions since 1994. Over the years, she has obtained millions for clients through settlement and trial. A large percentage of her practice involves cases arising from medical malpractice and nursing home negligence, but over the years she has litigated quite a few significant vehicular collision and premises liability cases, including a $3.8 million verdict in a case tried by Melanie and her partner, Steve Seidman, against JW Marriott based on exposing a guest who was an attorney to Legionella bacteria, causing him to suffer permanent neurocognitive deficits. In addition, she has represented women in sexual-abuse cases and has been successful in obtaining recoveries from the employers of the abusers.
Melanie is married with two teenage children and has been a lifelong resident of Chicago and the North Shore suburbs. She is an avid bicyclist and loves to ski and walk her goldendoodle.
Client Approach:
“I tend to overprepare all of my cases. I leave no stone unturned when investigating all possible avenues of recovery and work hard to maximize all recoveries and minimize risk. I respond to client inquiries as soon as possible and try to keep clients informed about the status of their cases. I understand that representing clients is a privilege as there is a lot of competition out there.”
- Loyola University Chicago School of Law
- J.D.
- Honors: cum laude
- Activities: National Mock Trial Team National Moot Court Team Loyola University Leadership and Service Award American Jurisprudence Award for Trial Practice/Advocacy American Jurisprudence Award for Appellate Advocacy American Jurisprudence Award for Moot Court (Spring 1994) American Jurisprudence Award for Moot Court (Spring 1992)
- George Washington University - Mount Vernon campus
- B.A. | Accounting
- Honors: cum laude
- Activities: Beta Alpha Psi, an accounting honor society Golden Key Club, a university honor society
- Partner
- Seidman, Margulis & Fairman, LLP
- Current
- SuperLawyer
- SuperLawyers
- 2020-2022
- The 2017 Highest Reported Illinois Verdict or Settlement for Legionnaires' Disease Award
- Illinois Jury Verdict Reporter
- Chicago Inn of Court
- Member
- Current
- NorthShore Law
- President
- - Current
- Chicago Bar Association
- Member
- - Current
- Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
- Member
- - Current
- Illinois State Bar Association
- Member
- - Current
- Illinois
- 7th Circuit
- Federal Trial Bar of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
- State of Illinois Supreme Court
- U.S. Court of Federal Claims
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
- Free Consultation
- Medical Malpractice
- Birth Injury, Medical Misdiagnosis, Pharmacy Errors, Surgical Errors
- Personal Injury
- Animal & Dog Bites, Brain Injury, Car Accidents, Construction Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Premises Liability, Truck Accidents, Wrongful Death
- Products Liability
- Drugs & Medical Devices, Motor Vehicle Defects, Toxic Torts
- Nursing Home Abuse
- Car Accidents
- English: Spoken, Written