As a third-year law school student, Stephan Blandin interned at a personal injury firm, Pavalon & Gifford, an experience that changed his life. He decided that helping victims of tragic personal injury and wrongful death receive restitution for their losses was the right career choice because of the opportunity it afforded him to help people in great need.

Today, the law firm he established with attorney Antonio Romanucci represents primarily individuals and their families who have lost loved ones or who have experienced severe personal injuries. He has concentrated his practice in the following areas: medical negligence, motor vehicle crashes, product liability cases, construction accidents, workplace accidents, and aviation disasters. Antonio and Stephan's passion and conviction in the courtroom have resulted in nearly 40 verdicts or settlements of $1 million or greater. They have obtained the largest medical malpractice verdict in Cook County in 2009 against a hospital ($22.3 million).

In addition to practicing law, Stephan strives to make a difference in people's lives through his leadership in nonprofit organizations. He has served on the board of directors for the following organizations: West Side Mentally Retarded Children's Association; Knapp Burn Foundation, Midwest Brain Injury Club House and Salute Inc. In 2009, he launched Law Firm Bound, a program to help law schools find ways to increase the number of students of color. He is a member of the Diversity Pipeline Committee of the Illinois State Bar Association, and serves on the board of managers of the Trial Lawyers Association.

• Ranked by other attorneys in Illinois as a Super Lawyer (R) and a member of the Leading Lawyers Network.
• An AV (R) rating from Martindale-Hubble, a testament to the fact that his peers have ranked him at the highest level of professional excellence. A lawyer must be admitted to the bar for 10 years or more to receive an AV rating.
• Memberships: Illinois State Bar Association, Public Justice, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, Society of Trial Lawyers, American Association for Justice.
• Past trial advocacy instructor at DePaul College of Law.