Kaplan Papadakis & Gournis PC

When complex legal challenges arise, whether for businesses, professionals, or public entities here in Illinois, securing highly experienced and sophisticated legal counsel is crucial. It’s about finding a law firm that not only understands the intricacies of the law but also possesses a proven track record of successful defense and strategic advocacy. For many organizations and individuals navigating the legal landscape across Illinois, Kaplan Papadakis & Gournis PC stands out as a distinguished firm dedicated to providing comprehensive and effective legal services. This article aims to provide a clear, engaging, and informative overview of what makes this Chicago-based firm a go-to resource for a wide range of civil litigation and defense needs in our state.

Kaplan Papadakis & Gournis PC is a respected law firm with a strong presence in the Illinois legal community, known for delivering sophisticated legal services primarily in the defense of civil litigation cases. The firm's partners, including Eric D. Kaplan and Dean Gournis, bring a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of complex legal matters. They focus on representing a diverse clientele, including insurance companies, third-party administrators, businesses, and professionals across various sectors. Their practice areas are particularly relevant to the current legal environment in Illinois, covering everything from professional liability and employment practices to emerging areas like Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) claims. For businesses and entities operating within Illinois, Kaplan Papadakis & Gournis PC offers not just legal representation, but a strategic partnership aimed at minimizing risk, navigating disputes, and achieving favorable outcomes. Their commitment to excellence and their extensive experience in both state and federal courts across multiple states, with a significant presence in Illinois, underscore their capability to handle challenging cases.

Kaplan Papadakis & Gournis PC is conveniently located in the vibrant heart of downtown Chicago, at 180 N LaSalle St Ste 2108, Chicago, IL 60601, USA. This central and easily accessible location makes the firm a practical choice for clients throughout the greater Chicago metropolitan area and across Illinois. Situated within a prominent office building on North LaSalle Street, the firm’s office is readily reachable by various modes of transportation. For those relying on Chicago’s extensive public transit system, the office is within close proximity to multiple CTA 'L' train lines (including the Brown, Green, Orange, Pink, and Purple lines) and numerous bus routes, providing a straightforward commute from virtually any part of the city or its surrounding suburbs. While downtown parking can be challenging, there are usually several parking garages and lots available in the immediate vicinity for clients who prefer to drive. This strategic location ensures that clients can easily access expert legal counsel when they need it most, solidifying the firm’s commitment to serving the legal needs of the Illinois community.

Kaplan Papadakis & Gournis PC provides a robust suite of legal services, primarily focused on civil litigation defense for a diverse range of clients. Their expertise is particularly valuable to businesses, professionals, and entities facing complex legal challenges. Key services offered include:

• Professional Liability Defense: This is a core area of the firm's practice. They represent various business professionals, including attorneys, accountants, directors and officers, architects, engineers, fiduciaries, mortgage brokers, real estate brokers, real estate management firms, credit reporting services, insurance agencies, auctioneers, and appraisers, in defending against professional negligence and liability claims.

• Employment Practices Liability (EPL): The firm defends businesses against claims related to employment discrimination, wrongful termination, harassment, and other employment-related disputes.

• Public Entity Liability: They represent public entities in various liability cases, navigating the unique legal frameworks that apply to governmental and quasi-governmental organizations in Illinois.

• Personal Injury Defense: The firm defends clients facing personal injury claims, working to mitigate liability and achieve favorable outcomes.

• Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) Defense: Given the increasing number of class action lawsuits under Illinois's BIPA statute, the firm has significant experience representing defendants in cases alleging violations of this act, seeking injunctive relief and monetary damages.

• Civil Litigation: They handle a wide range of general civil litigation cases, representing clients in state and federal courts at both the trial and appellate levels across Illinois and other states.

• Insurance Defense: The firm frequently represents insurance companies and third-party administrators in various defense matters, leveraging their deep understanding of insurance law.

• Attorney Disciplinary Matters: Eric D. Kaplan specifically represents lawyers in disciplinary matters before the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission, demonstrating a unique expertise in professional ethics and conduct.

Kaplan Papadakis & Gournis PC distinguishes itself through several key features that highlight their capabilities and commitment to their clients in Illinois:

• Recognized Expertise: Attorneys at the firm, such as Eric D. Kaplan, have been recognized as "Super Lawyers" in the area of professional liability for multiple years (e.g., 2023-2024), a distinction awarded to only the top five percent of lawyers in Illinois. Dean Gournis has also been nominated as a "Rising Star" in professional liability defense. These accolades are a testament to their high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.

• Deep Bench of Experience: The firm's attorneys possess extensive experience in defending complex civil litigation cases, having represented clients in numerous state and federal courts not just in Illinois but also across multiple other states. This broad jurisdictional experience adds a layer of sophistication to their practice.

• Thought Leadership and Presentations: The lawyers at Kaplan Papadakis & Gournis PC are active in the legal community, frequently delivering presentations and contributing to publications on critical topics such as defending Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act claims, construction defects, professional liability claims, and legal bill review for claims professionals. This demonstrates their engagement with evolving legal issues and their role as thought leaders.

• Client-Focused Advocacy: While public reviews may vary, the firm's history and the accolades received by its attorneys suggest a commitment to providing strong advocacy and comprehensive legal strategies for their clients, often in high-stakes situations. They are dedicated to understanding the nuances of each case to provide tailored defense.

• Involvement in Legal Associations: Dean Gournis, for example, is a member of the Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel (IADTC), an organization that represents attorneys dedicated to the defense of businesses, corporations, insurance, and other defendants in civil litigation. This involvement ensures they stay current with best practices and network within the defense bar.

Law firms, particularly those specializing in civil litigation defense for businesses and professionals, do not typically offer consumer-style "promotions" or "special offers." However, Kaplan Papadakis & Gournis PC demonstrates its value and commitment to clients and the broader legal community through ongoing engagement and the sharing of expertise. For example, their attorneys frequently act as lecturers and presenters at industry conferences and seminars on topics relevant to their practice areas, such as professional liability and insurance defense. These events provide valuable insights and updates on legal developments for claims professionals, business leaders, and fellow attorneys. While these are not "discounts," they represent a significant investment in educating clients and contributing to the legal discourse, ultimately benefiting those who work with them. For businesses and insurance carriers in Illinois, this consistent provision of high-level legal insights serves as a tangible benefit and reinforces their position as trusted advisors in complex legal matters. Interested parties should always contact the firm directly to discuss their specific legal needs and fee structures.

If you are an insurance company, business, or professional in Illinois seeking experienced legal defense for civil litigation matters, you can reach Kaplan Papadakis & Gournis PC directly.

• Address: 180 N LaSalle St Ste 2108, Chicago, IL 60601, USA

• Phone: (312) 726-0531

• Mobile Phone: +1 312-726-0531

Their professional team is ready to assess your situation and discuss how their specialized expertise can be leveraged for your defense.

For businesses, professionals, and public entities across Illinois, Kaplan Papadakis & Gournis PC offers a robust and highly capable legal partner. Their strong concentration in civil litigation defense, particularly in areas like professional liability, employment practices, and the increasingly prevalent BIPA claims, makes them incredibly relevant to the current legal challenges faced by organizations in our state. Located conveniently in downtown Chicago, they are easily accessible to clients from across the region. The individual accolades and extensive experience of their attorneys, demonstrated through their "Super Lawyer" recognitions and frequent presentations, highlight their standing as leaders in their fields. While online reviews can sometimes contain strong sentiments, focusing on the firm's established history, specialized expertise, and active involvement in the defense legal community paints a clear picture of a firm equipped to handle complex cases. For those in Illinois seeking aggressive and sophisticated defense counsel in high-stakes civil litigation, Kaplan Papadakis & Gournis PC provides the experienced and strategic representation needed to navigate intricate legal waters and protect their interests effectively.