Stephen J. Cummings, Partner, Chicago Illinois

Stephen has been a practicing attorney since 1998. He has spent the vast majority of his legal career representing individuals injured in the workplace. His unique and diverse background has aided him tremendously in his legal career. Prior to practicing law, the University of Chicago graduate was a sworn member of the Chicago Police Department. As a Chicago Police Officer, Stephen developed strong ties to the communities he served. Stephen honed his investigative skills when he was promoted early in his law enforcement career to detective. As a detective, Stephen was involved in all phases of investigation, from developing leads and securing evidence to obtaining statements and interrogation. As a detective, his role would also include working in conjunction with other law enforcement agencies as well as the State’s Attorney’s office in prosecuting cases in criminal court. After graduating from Loyola University, School of Law, Stephen held the position of In-House Counsel to the Chicago Police Department Office of the Superintendent. In that capacity, Stephen served as a legal advisor to the Superintendent, researched legal issues and disseminated legal opinions throughout the Department. Stephen continues to maintain strong ties with and represent members of the Fraternal Order of Police.

The strong community ties coupled with his Chicago neighborhood roots has enabled him to play a significant role in the firm’s business development. Stephen has maintained strong relationships with the workforce he represents. He has been an aggressive advocate for laborers, tradesman, law enforcement and union members. Though his practice is primarily in the area of Workers’ Compensation, he has been intricately involved in a wide range of cases varying from auto accidents, to slip and falls, to construction accidents.

Throughout his legal career, Stephen was involved in the following notable settlements:

• $6,250,000 to an iron worker injured in an auto collision

• $3,000,000 to the family of a man fatally injured in an automobile accident

• $2,275,000 to the family of a young boy fatally injured in a motorcycle accident

• $505,000 to a limousine driver injured in an automobile accident

• $500,000 to an ironworker who injured his low back lifting on a construction site

• $500,000 to the widow of a laborer fatally injured when he was struck by a cement truck on a construction site

• $480,000 to a woman injured in a slip and fall at a hotel pool

• $350,000 to an injured worker who suffered serious low back injury when he was involved in an auto accident traveling from one job site to another

• $310,000 to an iron worker who suffered a serious shoulder injury on a construction site

• $300,000 to an injured truck driver who suffered serious low back injury when he fell while unloading his tanker

• $249,000 to a cement finisher who sustained serious neck and shoulder injuries on a construction jobsite.

Throughout his legal career, Stephen has tirelessly protected the rights of injured workers and been a strong advocate for labor. He has successfully settled and tried numerous Workers’ Compensation claims and has argued before the Illinois Appellate Court. He continues to achieve significant settlements and awards before the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission and develop strong relationships and loyalties with the work force he represents.

Area of Practice
• Workers’Compensation

Bar Admissions
• State of Illinois, 1998
• U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, 1998

Education
• Loyola University Chicago School of Law, Chicago, Illinois, 1998, J.D.
• University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, 1992, B.A. Economics

Professional Associations and Memberships
• Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
• Chicago Bar Association
• Will County Bar Association