KEITH A. HEBEISEN will be awarded the prestigious Leonard M. Ring Lifetime Achievement Award at the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association’s (ITLA) annual convention on Friday, June 17, 2022. The convention will be held at the Sheraton Grand in Chicago, Illinois.
The criteria of the award are as follows:
“This award is given annually to someone selected by a committee appointed by the president. The recipient is someone who has devoted, as Leonard did, a substantial part of their life and their practice to ITLA, someone who has done more than is called for. Someone who has the standards of Leonard, the work ethics of Leonard and the commitment to ITLA that Leonard had. At the same time, it keeps alive the memory of Leonard Ring.”
Keith Hebeisen, 68, is a partner at Clifford Law Offices in Chicago who concentrates his practice in the area of medical malpractice.
Hebeisen received his undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois in 1976. He received his Juris Doctor degree with Honor from DePaul University, College of Law in 1983. In 1983, Hebeisen was admitted to the State of Illinois Bar and began his career as an associate attorney at Albert F. Hofeld, Ltd in Chicago. In 1984, he joined Robert Clifford and Associates, which is now Clifford Law Offices, P.C.
Additionally, Hebeisen is also licensed to practice law before the U. S District Court, Northern District of Illinois; U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin; U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan; U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit; U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit; and the Supreme Court of the United States of America.
One of the most respected medical malpractice attorneys in Illinois, Hebeisen has achieved great results for clients in settlements and trials. Although Hebeisen concentrates his practice in the area of medical malpractice cases against doctors and hospitals, he has represented individuals in a wide variety of cases, including transportation, product liability and toxic torts.
Hebeisen has been a trial attorney for over 38 years. He is known for his no-nonsense style and has garnered the respect of both plaintiff and defense attorneys. Hebeisen is thorough in the investigation, preparation, and trial of each of his cases, which are often highly complex with many defendants, putting his clients in the best position to have successful outcomes. Hebeisen has handled numerous appeals in the Illinois appellate and supreme courts.
Since 1982, Hebeisen has been an active member of ITLA. He has served many roles within the organization and has held prominent positions in various ITLA committees, including ITLA’s Executive Committee. He served as president of ITLA in 2005-2006.
Hebeisen also belongs to several other professional organizations and has been an active leader in the fight to preserve the right to trial by jury. He has served as the Chair of the American Bar Association Standing Committee on Medical Professional Liability. He has served in many leadership positions with the American Association for Justice (AAJ). He is also a member of the Illinois State Bar Association and the Chicago Bar Association, among many others.
As a prolific writer, Hebeisen has authored many publications. He has been an editor of ITLA’s Medical Malpractice Trial Notebook since 1992. He also served as the editor of the Illinois Bar Journal. As an outspoken advocate against caps on damages in medical malpractice cases, he has written extensively on this issue.
Hebeisen has presented numerous lectures at seminars for professional associations on a wide range of topics. He has planned and moderated several continuing legal education programs, including ITLA’s annual Medical Malpractice Seminar.
As one of the top medical malpractice attorneys in Illinois, Hebeisen has received many notable awards and has been recognized by U.S. News Best Lawyers as a top tier trial attorney in the area of medical malpractice and personal injury law. He has also been recognized as an Illinois Super Lawyer and an Illinois Leading Lawyer. He was inducted into the International Academy of Trial Lawyers in 2010 and the American College of Trial Lawyers in 2011.
“I’m honored to be recognized and receive this prestigious award. The Illinois Trial Lawyers Association is the pre-eminent organization protecting the rights of our citizens and ensuring they can receive justice. I am also humbled to have my name now associated with Leonard Ring, one of the greatest lawyers ever in this state, as well as all the previous recipients of this award.”
Hebeisen is also dedicated to his family – his wife Jodi, his children Melanie (a nurse) and Kenny (a lawyer), his precious grandson Noah (who has a sister on the way), and his entire extended family.
Past Leonard M. Ring Lifetime Achievement Award recipients include Jon G. Carlson, Rex Carr, Robert A. Clifford, Kevin J. Conway, Robert J. Cooney, Philip H. Corboy, George J. Cullen, Joseph R. Curcio, David A. Decker, Thomas A. Demetrio, James Thomas Demos, Geoffrey L. Gifford, William J. Harte, Thomas Q. Keefe, Jr., Thomas F. Londrigan, Philip F. Maher, Nicholas J. Motherway, Nat P. Ozmon, Eugene I. Pavalon, John G. Phillips, Joseph A. Power, Jr., Kim E. Presbrey, Anthony C. Raccuglia, Curt N. Rodin, Larry R. Rogers, Sr.; Patrick A. Salvi and Michael P. Schostok.
