David J. Kupets

profile
Rated By | Super Lawyers | David J. Kupets | SuperLawyers.com
  • Partner

Location:

Chicago, IL

Phone:

Fax:

(312) 726-7347

Email:

Dave graduated from the John Marshall Law School in Chicago.  He has extensive success in both the trial and appellate courts on behalf of injured parties in a wide variety of case types.  For example, David has successfully prosecuted airlines, doctors, product manufacturers, construction companies, trucking companies, premises owners, and others.

While a law student, he was appointed Chief Justice of the Moot Court program.  This was a national program where law students from the major law schools argued contemporary issues before lawyers and judges, including state and U.S. Supreme Court Justices.

He was also a member of the American Bar Association National Trial Advocacy Team from John Marshall.  He was selected as a member of the Gavel Society, Phi Delta Phi, an academic honor society, was named in Who’s Who of American Law Students for two years and was named in Outstanding Young Men in America, 1987-88.  David is a member of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, (“ITLA”) and serves as a sustaining member and has served as a member of the Board of Managers and as a Membership Chairman. He is a member of the Association for American Justice (“AAJ”) and the American Trial Lawyers Association.

In 1997, he was a moderator for continuing legal education programs such as the Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education.  He has been a speaker at the National Convention for ATLA in San Diego, California.  He was an invited lecturer at a national conference on Toxic Torts held in West Palm Beach, Florida.  He has been a speaker for several continuing legal education seminars for ITLA on various issues that affect the law.  He has served as a moderator and panel member for television and radio.

David has taught and lectured at Chicago Kent Law School on issues including victims’ rights for workplace-related injuries beyond workers’ compensation benefits.  He is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Association for Transportation Law, Logistics and Policies.  David has performed pro bono work representing individuals seeking freedom and political asylum from other countries, including former communist dominated nations.

Most notably, David has served as a trial attorney in major national transportation disasters.  He was one of the trial attorneys in the crash of U.S. Air Flight 405 at LaGuardia Airport on March 19, 1992.  He was also appointed a member of the Plaintiffs’ steering committee in the multi-district litigation arising out of the crash of American Eagle Flight 3379 on approach to Raleigh Durham Airport on December 13, 1994.  He has assisted in representing clients and trial preparation of several other air disasters including United Flight 232 (Sioux City, Iowa), United Flight 585 (Colorado, 1991), U.S. Air Flight 1016 (North Carolina, 1994), United Flight 811 (Hawaii, 1989).  David was one of the lead attorneys in the air disaster at Hinkley, Illinois on September 7, 1992. David has also handled general aviation cases.

He was one of the lead attorneys prosecuting the City of Chicago and the building owner in the 713 Wrightwood porch collapse in June, 2003 which resulted in thirteen deaths and multiple serious injury cases. One of his more recent trials involved a motor vehicle crash between his client and a Des Plaines police car.  There was no offer made on the case due to allegations that his client made an improper left turn and had a blood alcohol level of .159.  He was able to prove that the test was inaccurate and that it was primarily the officer’s conduct that caused the crash.  After a trial of more than two weeks, a Cook County jury returned a verdict in excess of $5 million dollars for his clients.  The case was settled during the appeal. He has many more verdicts and settlements of significant cases in construction accidents, product liability, nursing home negligence, and several other areas.

David’s practice, like the other members of the law firm, extends throughout the State of Illinois and often involves litigation in other states.

David has been named to the National Registry of Who’s Who of Honored Professionals in America.  David is licensed to practice in all three federal district courts and all state courts in Illinois.  He has been honored in two periodicals: Since 2006 “Chicago Magazine” has named David as one of the lawyers elected by his colleagues as an “Illinois Super Lawyer.” He was also one of the 10 Lawyers honored by “Chicago Lawyer Magazine” as one of Chicago’s more prominent attorneys. David has been elected by ATLA as an Illinois Top 100 Trial Attorneys. He has also been selected as a charter member of Rue Ratings Top American Lawyers and Top Illinois Lawyers, as well as the top 1% of lawyers nationally by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel. Since 1994, he has enjoyed the top rating of “AV” by Martindale Hubbell for advocacy and ethics. He also enjoys a “superb” rating on AVVO – 10/10.

Areas Of Practice

  • Personal Injury

Bar Admissions

  • Illinois, 1990
  • U.S. District Court Central District of Illinois, 1990
  • U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois, 1990
  • U.S. District Court Southern District of Illinois, 1990

Education

  • John Marshall Law School, Chicago, Illinois
    • J.D. - 1988

Published Works

  • ITLA Trial Lawyers Seminars

Classes / Seminars

  • Illinois Trial Lawyers, Presenter, Illinois Trial Lawyers, 1995 to 2010
  • Illinois Institute of Continuing Education, Moderator, 1997 to 1997
  • ATLA/AAJ Convention Speaker, San Diego, CA, 1997 to 1997
  • Toxic Torts National Conference, West Palm Beach, FL, 2001 to 2001

Honors And Awards

  • Illinois Trial Lawyers President's Award, 2004-Present
  • Martindale Hubbell "AV" Peer Rating, 1995-2015
  • Super Lawyer Rating, 2006-2013
  • American Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers, 2007-2015
  • Top 1% - Association of Distinguished Counsel Association
  • Top 100 Trial Attorneys - American Trial Lawyers Association

Professional Associations And Memberships

  • Illinois Trial Lawyers (ITLA), Former Board Member, 1990 to Present
  • Association for American Justice (AAJ), Member, 1990 to Present
  • American Trial Lawyers Association, Member, Top 100 Trial Lawyers, 2007 to Present

Pro Bono Activities

  • Northern District of Illinois, 1991 to Present

Languages

  • English
  • Spanish

Fraternities

  • Phi Delta Phi

Our Practice Areas

Motor Vehicle Accidents

Personal Injury

Wrongful Death

Work Accidents

Construction Accidents

Products Liability