Defense Attorney Achievement Awards
David C. Burtker Mr. Burtker graduated from Northern Illinois University College of Law in 1978. Upon graduation, Burtker began his legal career at Crooks & Gilligan, Ltd. In 1988, the firm merged with French, Kezelis & Kominiarek, P.C. where Burtker practiced civil litigation through December 2001. He also served on the firm’s Executive Committee. Burtker joined Cunningham, Meyer & Vedrine in January 2002, when the firm’s Chicago office opened. He is admitted to practice in the State of Illinois, Commonwealth of Kentucky, and State of Tennessee. In over 40 years of practice, Burtker has handled all forms of complex civil litigation, including over 120 trials to verdict in the areas of medi- cal and health professional negligence and medical products liability. In the medical, health, and pharmaceutical areas, he has handled high- profile trials involving benzodiazepines/suicide, anesthesiology, high- risk obstetrics/birth trauma, including issues of neonatal encepha- lopathy, cardiology, complex surgical matters and gynecological issues. Burtker has also reviewed, monitored and participated in medical negligence matters outside of Illinois. FIRM INFO Cunningham Meyer & Vedrine, P.C. offers services in the areas of medical malpractice and professional malprac- tice defense including the representation of all types of professional license holders in matters pending before the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. The firm also specializes in other areas of insurance defense including automobile accidents, premises liability and business owner claims. FIRM INFO Stamos & Trucco LLP represents physicians, health care facilities and attorneys in professional liability claims and insurers in coverage and bad faith matters. The firm represents parties in other complex civil commercial litiga - tion and employment disputes as well as providing representation in commercial transactions, typically involving health care entities. James J. Stamos James J. Stamos graduated from the University of Illinois College of Law in 1980. Upon graduation, Stamos joined Rooks, Pitts & Poust where he worked primarily in medical malpractice defense and con- struction litigation and coverage issues. In 1984, Stamos joined Cof- field Ungaretti Harris & Slavin (now Nixon Peabody) He became an equity partner in 1987. At Coffield Ungaretti, he practiced commercial litigation, representing both defendants and plaintiffs in cases involv- ing employment, securities, commodities and options, real estate and partnership disputes, financial litigation and medical malpractice de - fense. In 1989, Stamos left to form a solo practice. In 1990, he formed Stamos & Trucco with Michael Trucco, where he has remained since. Stamos has tried over 70 jury trials as well as many bench trials and arbitrations. He has also handled many matters in the state and feder- al courts of appeal and has argued successfully before the Indiana Su- preme Court. His current practice is primarily in commercial, financial and employment litigation and professional liability defense as well as the defense of insurance bad faith claims.
JURY VERDICT REPORTER • 2023 ANNUAL TRIAL LAWYER EXCELLENCE AWARDS 39
Powered by FlippingBook