Mark P. Loftus

My Philosophy

My approach to my clients' legal matters can be summed up based on one of the first cases I took after I founded my solo law practice. I opened my practice in 1998, after serving as an attorney for several prominent Chicago law firms. A short time later, I was retained by a young mother whose doctor had failed to properly investigate a suspicious mass in her left breast. The mass was ultimately diagnosed as Stage III breast cancer. My client died shortly after diagnosis, leaving behind a devastated family. The medical malpractice case I filed on her behalf ultimately settled for $1.6 million dollars. That case, even though long over, serves as a constant reminder, that the matters I handle are not simply lawsuits – but very real, and often tragic ruptures in the lives of my clients. Since that time I have secured a number of other significant settlements and verdicts, some of which are discussed on my Results page.

While I have continued handled personal injury matters, the scope of my practice since its founding has widened considerably. In addition to an active personal injury practice, I now handle employment cases, real estate disputes, insurance disputes, construction litigation, business litigation and some commercial matters. Although my practice has diversified, I bring the same level of commitment and integrity to each case.

My Background

By way of background, I was born in Chicago, Illinois and raised in the western suburbs of Chicago. I graduated from Oak Park River Forest High School and then attended Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois. While attending Knox, I was awarded the Cleaver Bridgeman Memorial Scholarship and also served as Co-Captain of the Varsity Basketball team.

After graduating from Knox, I then attended DePaul University College of Law, earning my law degree in 1985. I then went to work for a premier Chicago law firm that specialized in the defense of medical malpractice, product liability and general negligence cases. During my four years with the firm, I received an invaluable education in the preparation and trial of personal injury lawsuits. Trials though, were hard to come by for new associates. I wanted more hands-on trial experience. So I made the decision to leave the defense side and take a position with a firm the represented injured parties, where I could get into the courtroom. In 1990 I accepted a position with a prominent Chicago area personal injury law firm. Six months later I was lead counsel for a young man who had suffered catastrophic injuries when his motorcycle was struck by a car. Over the course of the next several years, I secured a number of large verdicts for my clients, primarily in Cook County, Illinois. In addition, I assisted on several cases that resulted in settlements over $1 million dollars.

I then accepted a senior association position with a law firm that had recently split from one of Chicago’s most well-regarded personal injury law firms. I continued trying cases and secured a number of large verdicts in Cook, Lake, DuPage and Kankakee counties. Additionally, I worked up a number of cases that resulted in multi-million dollar settlements.

In addition to my professional activities, I am an active member of a number of legal organizations including:

• American Bar Association
• Illinois State Bar Association
  Committee on Marketing, Appointed Member
• Illinois Trial Lawyers Association

Finally, I enjoy writing about legal issues in my blog. You can also follow me on Twitter @markploftus.