John Karnezis is a highly experienced litigator and has been recognized for his skill in a courtroom. He was named by the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin Publishing Company as one of the Top 40 Attorneys Under 40 in Illinois in 2001. He also was voted by his peers as a 2005 Super Lawyer in Chicago Magazine.

John has had great success with several high profile, complex cases since joining Clifford Law Offices in 2000. For example, he along with partner Kevin Durkin tried the case that resulted in a $38.3 million verdict for a mother and her two children who were involved in a devastating truck-car collision on Interstate 90 near Rockford. A four-year-old girl was killed and her two-year-old brother was permanently brain damaged when they were involved in a snowy pile-up in 1999. Their mother suffered facial injuries that required 31 surgeries. The verdict was the largest in the country in 2004 involving a motor vehicle crash and was featured as one of the Top 100 Verdicts in the country in the National Law Journal. He also teamed with partner Richard Burke to try a case involving a small corporate plane crash at Palwaukee Airport that killed the co-pilot. Following a lengthy trial, Clifford Law Offices received a $10.45 million verdict where the airport was found 90 percent at fault for failing to provide a safe landing terrain. His experience involving complex litigation and his attention to detail are important credentials in his concentrated preparation for trial. John is a key point person on the multi-faceted, complex Emerald Casino case involving the corporation’s retention of its gaming license in the state.

His recent settlements include several transportation cases. He obtained a $3 million settlement on behalf of a family of four injured in a head-on collision in suburban Lake Forest. He also obtained a $3 million settlement on behalf of a 64-year-old man who sustained permanent brain injuries when his car was struck by a truck in suburban Countryside. He also obtained a $1 million settlement on behalf of a 34-year-old man who suffered severe fractures of his pelvis and leg when an auto shop repairman lost control of the car during a test drive in suburban Brookfield. He also was involved in the $1.4 million settlement on behalf of a schoolchild who was injured when a bus driver in Fox River Grove negligently stopped the vehicle on railroad tracks and the back of the bus was hit by a moving train.

John joined the firm as an experienced litigator, having served as an assistant Cook County State’s Attorney for nine years. His experience in criminal law carried over to his civil work. Clifford Law Offices congratulates John Karnezis on his being named partner at the firm.