Peter Wachowski | Park Ridge Litigation Lawyer | Illinois

Peter Wachowski, a principal in the Park Ridge Law firm Bellas & Wachowski, distinguishes himself as one of Chicago's most powerful lawyers in his ability to wield influence in his professional community and express generous sensitivity to clients' needs. Recognized by the Chicago Daily Bulletin in 2000 as one of 40 Lawyers under 40 to watch, Peter has established himself as a superb litigator and a zealous advocate of his clients who concentrates in the areas of Personal Injury, Worker's Compensation and Civil Litigation. Dedicated to his legal vocation, he successfully counsels and eagerly fights for survivors and families affected by serious personal injuries arising from motor vehicle collisions, products liability, medical malpractice, premises liability, and construction accidents. Peter takes pride in helping a wide array of clients and believes that being an excellent lawyer means more than winning a big verdict. Despite his impressive and proven track record of securing major settlements and verdicts for his clients, Peter's main hope is that his versatile, top-notch legal expertise and impeccable professional integrity contribute to the prestige of the legal profession and make his community a better place to live.

Peter graduated from Loyola University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 1987. He received his Juris Doctor degree from John Marshall Law School in 1990. Admitted to the bar the same year, he has been engaged in trial practice ever since. Peter's tenacity and solid legal skills quickly brought him an amazing success rate in the courtroom, making him one of the most sought-after plaintiff's attorneys in the area. Peter has handled numerous cases, including many jury trials, where he obtained six-figure verdicts and settlements. For example, in 2006-2007 he was involved in the litigation and settlement of a case involving the shooting and killing of a young African-American man by a police officer in Lake Station, Indiana, which occurred when the man, who was walking down the middle of the street, did not get out of the street when told to by the officer; in 2005, he was involved in the litigation and settlement of a $2.9 million medical malpractice case wherein a doctor decided to shut-off heart monitors during surgery because they were annoying and caused the death of a Polish man; and in 2004 , he settled a construction accident involving a Polish man for $950,000 wherein the worker fell from a ladder and suffered permanent injuries. Additionally, he has successfully appealed numerous cases to the Appellate Courts of Illinois. Peter also won a case before the Supreme Court of Illinois, raising challenging legal issues and furthering the profession's commitment to the rule of law and concept of justice. His outstanding analytical and interpersonal skills as well as his affable nature and personal rectitude make him a formidable courtroom opponent and a highly respected colleague.

However, Peter is more than just a top-notch litigator. Despite his busy schedule, Peter always reaches outside the profession to help through community service, furthering the ideals of justice and the law outside the courtroom. In 2000, he received a lifetime membership in The National Registry of Who's Who, a highly recognized biographical publication for professionals, which accepts only those who have made a measurable contribution to their profession and community. From 2001-2006, Peter has served as a member of the Illinois State Bar Association's Standing Committee for Judicial Evaluations for Cook County, helping to evaluate judicial candidates and provide input to the public and judiciary. Peter is also an active member of the Illinois and Chicago Bar Associations, proving his commitment to serving clients in the Chicago area. In addition, in the past few years Peter made Bar News, a highly respected publication of the Illinois State Bar Association, which reported several times on his service as the President of the Advocates Society, an Illinois organization of Polish-American Attorneys that has existed since1931.

In addition to his excellent credentials, outstanding litigation skills, and genuine commitment to his community, Peter owes his success to his exceptionally caring and professional approach to his clients. Devoted to treated clients' needs as his number-one priority, he approaches every case with the utmost seriousness and diligence. Peter, whose last name originates from the German wach (to be awake), likes to think of himself as a watchman who always guards and protects his clients' rights.

School	Degree	Major	Graduation
John Marshall Law School	J.D.	Law School	1990
Loyola University of Chicago	B.S.	N/A	1987

State / Court	Date
IL	1990

• Advocates Society, 1991 - Present
  Illinois State Bar Association
  Chicago Bar Association

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