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News, Publications and Presentations

Willens & Baez is recognized as one of the top Chicago personal injury law firms, year after year.

The firm’s award-winning lawyers have authored articles in legal periodicals and are regular speakers at legal seminars throughout the country on various topics related to trial advocacy. The firm’s founder, Matthew L. Willens, was an adjunct professor of law at his alma matter – Loyola University Chicago School of Law, where he taught Advanced Trial Advocacy. Below is some news about Willens & Baez as well as some of the firm’s publications and presentations:

News

  • Matthew L. Willens recognized as Personal Injury Lawyer of the Year by the Global 100 Awards (November, 2023)
  • Willens & Baez Personal Injury Lawyers, P.C., obtain biggest dog bite injury award in Illinois history – The Illinois Jury Verdict Reporter (August, 2023)
  • Matthew L. Willens selected as one of the Top 10 Inspiring Leaders of 2023 by Iconic Express Magazine (August, 2023)
  • Willens & Baez Personal Injury Lawyers, P.C., named as Top 10 Maritime Lawyers in Chicago by TrustAnalytica (June, 2023) 
  • Willens & Baez Personal Injury Lawyers, P.C., named Best Professionals in Chicago by BestProsInTown (June, 2023)
  • Matthew L. Willens inveted to join the Top 25 Medical Malpractice Trial Lawyers by The National Trial Lawyers. (May, 2023)
  • Matthew L. Willens invited to join The National Trial Lawyers – Top 100. (February, 2023)
  • Matthew L. Willens identified as one of the Top 100 Civil Plaintiff Trial Lawyers in Illinois by The National Trial Lawyers Top 100. (January, 2023)
  • Matthew L. Willens receives Highest Possible Peer Review Rating in Legal Ability and Ethical Standards for the 10th straight year by Martindale-Hubbel. (January, 2023)
  • Matthew L. Willens and David A. Baez recognized again as 2023 Illinois Super Lawyers. (January, 2023)
  • David A. Baez chosen to receive the 2023 Top 10 Under 40 Attorney Award for the state of Illinois by the National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys. (January, 2023)
  • Willens Law Offices selected to the Best of the Best Attorney’s Top 10 Personal Injury Law Firm List – a distinction received by less than .05% of attorneys practicing in the United States. (September, 2022)
  • Matthew L. Willens chosen for membership – Lawyers of Distinction – “Recognizing Excellence in The Practice of Law.” (September, 2022)
  • Matthew L. Willens named Americas Most Honored Lawyers – Top 1% by The American Registry (August, 2022)
  • Matthew L. Willens invited for membership into The National Trial Lawyers – Top 100. (July, 2022)
  • Matthew L. Willens selected as one of the Midwest’s Top Rated Lawyers to be featured in The National Law Journal. (March, 2022)
  • Matthew L. Willens selected for another year as a Member of the Nation’s Top One Percent by The National Association of Distinguished Counsel (February, 2022)
  • Matthew L. Willens selected to the 2021/2022 Best of the Best Attorney’s Top 10 Attorney list for Illinois (October, 2021)
  • Matthew L. Willens recognized in the annual “Top Settlements” issue of Chicago Lawyer Magazine (October, 2021)
  • Matthew L. Willens selected to 2021 Top-Ranking Attorney for Illinois by America’s Best Attorneys (August, 2021)
  • Matthew L. Willens makes Top Ranking Attorney list for 2021 as selected by American Association of Attorney Advocates. (April, 2021)
  • Matthew L. Willens will appear in the May 24, 2021 issue of the The Daily Herald’s Business Ledger as one of Chicago’s Leading Injury Lawyers (May, 2021)
  • Matthew L. Willens recognized by Martindale Hubbell with a 2021 AV Preeminent Rating, the highest honor “given to attorneys who are ranked at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal expertise, communication skills, and ethical standards by their peers.” (January, 2021)
  • Matthew L. Willens and David A. Baez invited for membership into The National Trial Lawyers Civil Plaintiff – Top 100 (November, 2020)
  • Matthew L. Willens selected to 2020 Top Ranking Attorney list for Personal Injury Law by American Association of Attorney Advocates (September, 2020)
  • Matthew L. Willens to appear in the annual October Top Settlements issue for Chicago Lawyer Magazine (October, 2020)
  • Matthew L. Willens again nominated as a 10 Best Attorney for Client Satisfaction by the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys (June, 2020)
  • Matthew L. Willens recognized as America’s Most Honored Lawyers – Top 1% by the American Registry (May, 2020)
  • Matthew L. Willens selected for Lawyers of Distinction membership (May, 2020)
  • David A. Baez chosen to receive Top 10 Under 40 Award for the state of Illinois by the National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys, Inc. (February, 2020)
  • Matthew L. Willens selected to join the American Institute of Trial Lawyers Litigator of the Year Section in the field of Personal Injury Law (January, 2020)
  • Matthew L. Willens chosen to receive 2020 Top 10 Attorney Award for the state of Illinois by the National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys (January, 2020)
  • Matthew L. Willens selected for national membership into the American Trial Academy: Top Tier Lawyers – one of only 2% of attorneys in the United States chosen for membership into the 2020 inaugural class. (December, 2019)
  • Matthew L. Willens identified by The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 as one of the Top 100 Civil Plaintiff Trial Lawyers in Illinois (December, 2019)
  • Willens & Baez proud to sponsor the Deerfield High School Athletic Booster Club (December, 2019)
  • Matthew L. Willens selected by Attorney and Practice Magazine as a Top 10 Personal Injury Attorney, an invitation received by less that 1% of attorneys nationwide. (November, 2019)
  • Willens & Baez featured in Leading Lawyers Magazine – The Top Consumer Lawyers in Illinois (May, 2019)
  • David A. Baez featured in Chicago Magazine as a Top Attorney in personal injury law, selected by peer recommendations (April, 2019)
  • Matthew L. Willens nominated for membership in Premier Lawyers of America, an organization that recognizes less than 1% of attorneys in America for the highest standards of excellence in the practice of law (April, 2019)
  • Matthew L. Willens identified by The National Trial Lawyers as one of the Top 100 Civil Plaintiff Trial Lawyers in Illinois (March, 2019)
  • Willens & Baez retained in Aurora Illinois mass shooting case – featured on ABC, CBS,  NBC, WGN, and many local and national publications (March, 2019)
  • David A. Baez chosen to receive Top 10 Under 40 Attorney Award for the state of Illinois by the National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys (March, 2019)
  • Willens & Baez earned the Better Business Bureau Complaint Free Award for 2018 (March, 2019)
  • Matthew L. Willens invited to charter membership of Distinguished Justice Advocates. Less than 1% of attorneys in the United States receive this honor (February, 2019)
  • Matthew L. Willens and David A. Baez recognized as Top Personal Injury Lawyers in the 2019 edition of Super Lawyers Magazine (January, 2019)
  • David A. Baez promoted to Partner at Willens & Baez (January, 2019)
  • Matthew L. Willens was selected by Attorney and Practice Magazine as one of Illinois’ Top 10 Attorneys in Personal Injury Law for 2019 (November, 2018)
  • Matthew L. Willens has been selected for membership by the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys as one of the 10 Best Attorneys in Illinois for Client Satisfaction (November, 2018)
  • Matthew L. Willens selected as one of the Top 100 Litigation Lawyers in the State of Illinois for 2019 by the American Society of Legal Advocates (October, 2018)
  • Matthew L. Willens invited for membership into The National Trial Lawyers: Top 100 Civil Plaintiff Trial Lawyers in the state of Illinois (October, 2018)
  • Willens & Baez makes donation to Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health, a comprehensive children’s research hospital. (September, 2018)
  • Matthew L. Willens invited to become a “Best Attorney” Member of Best Attorneys of America (September, 2018)
  • Matthew L. Willens selected for membership to the American Jurist Institute as one of the “2018 Top 10 Personal Injury Attorneys” for Illinois. (August, 2018)
  • Matthew L. Willens selected for membership as one of the 10 Best High Verdict & Settlement Winners for Illinois by the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys (May, 2018)
  • Matthew L. Willens chosen as one of the TOP 10 Attorneys in Illinois in Personal Injury Law by Attorney and Practice Magazine (May, 2018)
  • Matthew L. Willens again selected by his peers as an Illinois Leading Lawyer, a recognition as one of the best personal injury and medical malpractice lawyers in Chicago and throughout the state of Illinois. (May, 2018)
  • Matthew L. Willens recognized for Excellence in the Practice of Law by Lawyers of Distinction (May, 2018)
  • David A. Baez chosen to receive TOP 10 Under 40 Attorney Award for the state of Illinois by National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys (February, 2018)
  • Matthew L. Willens receives the Distinguished Lawyer Designation from the Expert Network, conferred upon the top 3% of Lawyers in the U.S. (February, 2018)
  • Willens & Baez, a Better Business Bureau Accredited Business, earns the Complaint Free Award for 2017 (January, 2018)
  • Matthew L. Willens recognized as an Illinois Super Lawyers®, a distinction reserved for only 5% of lawyers across Illinois (January, 2018)
  • David A. Baez selected as a Super Lawyers® Rising Stars℠, a distinction reserved for only 2.5% of lawyers across Illinois (January, 2018)
  • David A. Baez selected for membership as one of the “10 Best Attorneys” for Illinois by the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys. (December, 2017)
  • Matthew L. Willens selected for membership as one of the “10 Best Attorneys” for Illinois by the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys. (November, 2017)
  • Matthew L. Willens invited for membership of Trial Masters – an organization that recognizes trial experience. (November, 2017)
  • Matthew L. Willens selected among America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators for Illinois in 2017 based on years of extraordinary accomplishments in high stakes legal matters. (November, 2017)
  • David A. Baez obtains $102,267 verdict in car accident case. The defense hired multiple experts to contest the degree of impact between the vehicles and discredit the plaintiff’s injuries. No offer was ever made by the defense to settle the case. (November, 2017)
  • Matthew L. Willens selected as one of the Top 100 Litigation Lawyers in Illinois for 2018 by the American Society of Legal Advocates (November, 2017)
  • Matthew L. Willens to appear in the January, 2018 Magazine,West Suburban Living, as one of the Top Personal Injury Lawyers in Illinois, as recommended by his peers (November, 2017)
  • Matthew L. Willens nominated one of America’s Top 100 Attorneys, based upon years of exceptional advocacy, ethical standards, and legal accomplishments (September, 2017)
  • Matthew L. Willens chosen as the Top 10 Attorneys in Illinois for Personal Injury Law by Attorney and Practice Magazine (August, 2017)
  • Matthew L. Willens nominated to 2017 Lawyers of Distinction based upon peer recognition as a Top 10% Lawyer in the USA (July, 2017)
  • Willens & Baez nominated as a 10 Best Law Firm – Client Satisfaction – by the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys (June, 2017)
  • Matthew L. Willens selected again as a Member of the Nation’s Top One Percent by The National Association of Distinguished Counsel (April, 2017)
  • Matthew L. Willens selected as 10 Best Attorneys for Outstanding Client Service by American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys (April, 2017)
  • Matthew L. Willens appears in Chicago Life Magazine for being recognized as one of the Top Personal Injury Lawyers in Illinois, as recommended by his peers (April, 2017)
  • Matthew L. Willens named 2017 Illinois Super Lawyer (January, 2017)
  • David A. Baez named 2017 Illinois Super Lawyers Rising Star (January, 2017)
  • Matthew L. Willens invited for membership into The Natioanal Trial Lawyers: Top 100 Trial Lawyers for 2017. Said invitation is offered to those lawyers who have superior qualifications, trial results and leadership in their respective state.  (December, 2016)
  • Matthew L. Willens selected as one of the Top 100 Litigation Lawyers in the State of Illinois for 2017 by the American Society of Legal Advocates. (November, 2016)
  • Matthew L. Willens recognized as one of the Premier 100 trial attorneys for Illinois by The National Academy of Jurisprudence. (October, 2016)
  • David A. Baez received an arbitration award of nearly three times the pre-arbitration offer in a car accident case. (October, 2016)
  • Willens & Baez invited for membership in Best Law Firms of America, an organization which recognizes the accomplishments of outstanding law firms throughout the country. (October, 2016)
  • Matthew L. Willens tapped to speak to law students at DePaul University Law School regarding personal injury law on October 25, 2016. (October, 2016)
  • Matthew L. Willens and David A. Baez obtain back-to-back six-figure settlements after successful mediations. In a slip and fall case, they obtained $130,000 (pre-mediation offer – $30,000).  A few days later, they obtained $150,000 in a bus accident case (pre-mediation offer – $70,000). (September, 2016)
  • Matthew L. Willens invited for membership into The National Trial Lawyers: Top 100 Civil Plaintiff Trial Lawyers – an invitation extended to “those attorneys who exemplify superior qualifications, trial results, and leadership in their respective state based upon objective and uniformly applied criteria.” (August, 2016)
  • Willens & Baez becomes a sponsor for Highland Park High School’s Athletic Programs. (August, 2016)
  • David A. Baez volunteers his time to the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association Young Lawyers Division event – Service Day – an event benefiting Chicago Jesuit Academy. (August, 2016)
  • Matthew L. Willens was invited as a charter member of Distinguished Justice Advocates – Top 1% Attorneys in America. Selection is based upon trial results, being recognized with a high degree of peer recognition and professional success. (July, 2016)
  • Matthew L. Willens again received a AV Preeminent rating by Martindale Hubbell meaning his peers ranked him at the highest level of professional excellence in personal injury law (June, 2016)
  • Willens & Baez helps secure a $10 million medical malpractice settlement. The case involved a traumatic birth injury and settled on the first day of trial. (June, 2016)
  • Matthew L. Willens and David A. Baez obtained an arbitration award of $460,000 in a car accident case.  Prior to the arbitration, the defense offered $280,000. (May, 2016)
  • Matthew L. Willens again selected as a Member of the Nation’s Top One Percent of Lawyers by The National Association of Distinguished Counsel (April, 2016)
  • Matthew L. Willens recognized in West Suburban Living Magazine as one of the Chicago Area’s Leading Personal Injury Lawyers (April, 2016)
  • Willens & Baez recognized in Leading Lawyers Magazine among the Top Lawyers in Illinois (March, 2016)
  • Matthew L. Willens invited for charter membership by Distinguished Justice Advocates – the Top 1% of Attorneys in America (February, 2016)
  • Matthew L. Willens certified as a 2016 Top 100 Litigation Lawyer in Illinois by the American Society of Legal Advocates (January, 2016)
  • Matthew L. Willens named 2016 Illinois Super Lawyer (January, 2016)
  • Matthew L. Willens nominated to the Lawyers of Distinction – based upon peer review, expertise, skills and ethics in personal injury law (December, 2015)
  • Willens & Baez nominated for a 2015 Litigator Award, an honor recognizing the firm’s million and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements (October, 2015)
  • Matthew L. Willens selected to be a “Best Attorney” Lifetime Charter Member of Rue Ratings Best Attorneys of America (October, 2015)
  • Willens & Baez helps secure a $7 million medical malpractice settlement. (October, 2015)
  • Matthew L. Willens and David A. Baez secure a mediation result of more than five times the pre-mediation offer in a negligent security case. (October, 2015)
  • David A. Baez obtains an award of nearly 8 times more than the defense recommendation in a car accident case. (October, 2015)
  • Matthew L. Willens has again been named as an Illinois Leading Lawyer, a recognition as one of the best personal injury and medical malpractice lawyers in Chicago and throughout the state of Illinois. (August, 2015)
  • Matthew L. Willens nominated as one of the “10 Best” Attorneys for Illinois by the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys for having attained the highest degree of professional achievement in the personal injury field and having impeccable client satisfaction ratings (July, 2015)
  • Matthew L. Willens selected for membership into The National Association of Distinguished Counsel – The Top One Percent of Attorneys in the United States of America (March, 2015)
  • Matthew L. Willens invited to join Trial Masters, an organization that selects members based upon hard-earned trial experience – 35 civil cases to verdict before either a judge or a jury (March, 2015)
  • Matthew L. Willens recognized as one of Chicago’s Top Rated Lawyers of 2015 (March, 2015)
  • Matthew L. Willens and David A. Baez obtain an award of nearly nine times more than last pre-trial offer in a car accident case (January, 2015)
  • Matthew L. Willens named 2015 Illinois Super Lawyer (January, 2015)
  • Matthew L. Willens selected by The National Trial Lawyers as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in the Nation (January, 2015)
  • Matthew L. Willens chosen by NAOPIA to receive a Top 10 Attorney Award for the state of Illinois (December, 2014)
  • Willens & Baez nominated for a 2014 Litigator Award for winning million and multi-million dollar cases – a feat achieved by less than 1% of all lawyers (November, 2014)
  • Willens & Baez awards scholarship to music teacher (October, 2014)
  • Willens & Baez announces the addition of trial lawyer, David A. Baez, to the firm. (September, 2014)
  • Matthew L. Willens named 2014 Top 100 Attorneys in Illinois as published in Chicago Magazine (February, 2014)
  • Matthew L. Willens named 2014 Illinois Super Lawyer (January, 2014)
  • Octavio Duran works tirelessly helping people who were victims of negligence achieve justice. Read more.
  • Matthew L. Willens named 2013 Top 100 Attorneys in Illinois as published in Chicago Magazine (February, 2013)
  • Willens Named 2013 Illinois Super Lawyer (January, 2013)
  • Octavio Duran hosted an event called “Lunch with a Judge” sponsored by the Chicago Bar Association (CBA).
  • Octavio Duran Appointed Local Chapter Liaison for MSU Law School Alumni
  • Lawsuit: Man set on fire at Batavia Chinese restaurant – A negligence suit has been brought against a local restaurant after a repairman was burned while performing services.
  • Small Firms Nab Big Settlements– Matthew L. Willens featured in Chicago Lawyer magazine for his multi-million dollar settelment on behalf of a young man injured when a porch railing collapsed. October, 2010
  • Transition From Working at a Small Firm To Starting Your Own – Matthew L. Willens featured in Blackacre, Loyola Law School, February, 2010
  • Alumni Spotlight – Matthew L. Willens featured in Loyola University Chicago School of Law Newsletter, February, 2010
  • Q & A – Matthew L. Willens featured in Chicago Lawyer Magazine, January, 2010

Publications

Presentations and Appearances

  • Matthew L. Willens and David A. Baez invited to attend John Marshall School of Law’s Small and Mid-Size Firms Reception (April, 2019)
  • David A. Baez attended DePaul University Law School’s Meet the Employers Reception. (March, 2019)
  • Matthew L. Willens and David A. Baez tapped to participate in DePaul University College of Law’s Practice Area Exploration Fair. (September, 2018)
  • Matthew L. Willens appeared on on Get Down To Business – AM560, to discuss business and his successful personal injury practice. (March, 2018)
  • Matthew L. Willens and David A. Baez attended DePaul University Law School’s Meet the Employers Reception. (March, 2018)
  • Matthew L. Willens interviewed on Southland TV for a video podcast regarding personal injury law. (February, 2018)
  • Personal Injury Law – Matthew L. Willens selected to speak to law students at DePaul University Law School regarding Personal Injury Law. (October 25, 2016)
  • Jury Selection – Matthew L. Willens selected to moderate and speak at Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education’s (IICLE) seminar on Jury Selection. (June 5, 2015)
  • Your First Car Accident Case – Matthew L. Willens presented to lawyers at the Illinois State Bar Association’s 9th Annual Solo and Small Firm Conference. (October, 2013)
  • Anatomy of a Motor Vehicle Crash Case – Matthew L. Willens presented to lawyers and judges regarding jury selection and trial at the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education’s legal seminar on Motor Vehicle Crash Cases. (September, 2013)
  • Starting Your Own Practice – Matthew L. Willens  was the moderator and a speaker at the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education’s (IICLE) legal seminar on Starting Your Own Practice. (June, 2013) Read more
  • Presenting Expert Testimony at Trial – Matthew L. Willens presented to law students at Loyola University Chicago School of Law School – Winter, 2013
  • Advocacy in Mediation –Matthew L. Willens presented to lawyers and judges regarding mediating high value cases at the Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education’s Conference entitled Winning at Alternative Dispute Resolution:  Understanding Advocacy in Arbitration and Mediation – Fall, 2012.
  • Basics of Personal Injury Litigation –Matthew L. Willens presented to lawyers at the Illinois State Bar Association’s 8th Annual Solo and Small Firm Conference – Summer, 2012.
  • Career Advice -Matthew L. Willens presented to law students at Loyola University Chicago School of Law School – Winter, 2012
  • What Lawyers Do – Matthew L. Willens presented to law students at Loyola University Chicago School of Law School – Fall, 2010
  • Career Choices – Presented to law students and lawyers at Loyola University Chicago School of Law School – Winter, 2010
  • 90 Days Before Trial: The Final Countdown – Detailing Your Case for Trial – Presented to lawyers at the Chicago Bar Association – Fall, 2006
  • Traumatic Brain Injuries – Presented at the Lake County Center for Independent Living in Mundelein – Spring, 2006
  • Liens – Contractual Reimbursements – Presented at two Illinois Trial Lawyer Association Seminars – Winter and Summer, 2006
  • Presenting Psychological and Neuropsychological Evidence in a Personal Injury Case – Presented to lawyers, academics and experts from around the country at the American Bar Association – Spring, 2005
  • Traumatic Brain Injuries – Illinois Trial Journal (republished in The Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers Journal, Issue 499, 2005), 12/01/2004
  • Top 10 Mistakes Made by Attorneys – Presented to lawyers in Illinois, New York, Texas, California, Florida, Tennessee, Georgia – 2003
  • How Personal Injury Law and Workers’ Compensation Law are Related – Matthew L. Willens presents to law students at Kent Law School – 1998, 1999, 2000

 

 
 

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Why Choose Willens & Baez

Millions in Case Verdicts & Settlements

Over the past two decades, Mr. Willens and his team of Chicago personal injury lawyers have been instrumental in obtaining numerous million-dollar-plus recoveries on behalf of clients in a wide variety of injury cases. One of the personal injury verdicts he was involved in was recognized by The National Law Journal as one of the Top 100 Verdicts in the country in the year in which it was tried. One of the verdicts he helped secure set a state record.

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