“A friend of mine who’s a defense attorney said to me, ‘I told the guy in my office who you have that case against, just give Phillips what he wants because he’s not going to let go. He’s going to drag you back to court until he gets it, so you might as well just give it to him.'"

In a statewide survey of lawyers he was voted as one of the Leading Personal Injury Lawyers in Illinois. He was voted a Superlawyer by his peers in yet another statewide survey of lawyers. He was elected as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Illinois by the American Trial Lawyers Association.  And, he has been recognized in Chicago Lawyer Magazine as resolving the most $1 million-plus cases than any other lawyer in Illinois in a year.

Avvo.com, an independent rating service of United States attorneys, has given Stephen D. Phillips, their highest rating of 10.0 of 10.0, Superb for Personal Injury Attorneys in Illinois. Mr. Phillips has also received Avvo.com's highest rating of 10.0 of 10.0, Superb for medical malpractice, brain injury lawyer, birth injury lawyer, auto accident lawyer, trucking accident lawyer and wrongful death lawyer in Illinois.

Steve has been recognized in International Who’s Who of Professionals, and is a member of the prestigious Society of Trial Lawyers. Steve is an adjunct professor of law at Loyola Law School in Chicago, where he teaches Personal Injury Law and has taught Illinois Civil Procedure. He serves on the Scholarship Committee of the Justinian Society of Lawyers, and he has received the highest possible ratings for legal ability and ethics from Martindale-Hubbell.

He has served consecutive terms on the executive committee of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, where he has co-chaired the Medical Negligence Committee and the Publications Committee.  He is currently third vice president of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association and becomes the president in 2013.

He has been elected governor for the Illinois State Bar Association and has served in the State Bar Assembly for three terms.

Steve is asked frequently to appear on personal injury and wrongful death matters and has authored several publications.

When asked what it was like to follow in his father’s footsteps as a successful trial lawyer, Steve replies, “I had big shoes to fill when I was a young lawyer straight out of law school. So I was always prepared, I always knew the law. I never took shortcuts ever, ever, ever.” Steve began to establish himself right out of school, turning seemingly dead cases into surprising wins through his persistence and dedication. He has maintained his no-holds-barred work ethic throughout his more than 25 years of law practice.

Steve is also a well-respected author and speaker on personal injury and wrongful death issues.

He is an avid outdoorsman, enjoying boating, fishing, hunting, and sports in his leisure time. If he could do anything else for a living, he would probably work in the boating industry or as a fishing guide, but he would still represent a handful of clients every year.

Mr. Phillips was also honored in the Spring 2011 Justinian Society Newsletter. The newsletter honored Steve for his success as a catastrophic injury lawyer, being elected as the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association Vice president, being a leader in many state associations, and for being a community leader. Steve has contributed many thousands of dollars to the Justian Soceity Scholarship Fund, which makes it easier for future Italian-Americans to become lawyers, as the society averages over $75,000 per year in grants for needy Italian-American law students. Steve is set to become the president of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association in 2013.

Charles A. Hornewer, Terrence M. Quinn & Jill M. Webb, Partners

Charles A. Hornewer, Partner

Curriculum Vitae

“When presenting a case during trial, I take cues from the plays that I studied in English literature. First, you have to develop the characters. When you have all of that information in your head you start the presentation, which is the opening statement. Next, you develop the pieces of evidence and you come to the conclusion, which is your final argument. Then it’s in the jury’s hands. So I try to approach cases that way to make them come alive and make sense, and to try to make it an interesting experience for the jury.”

“I think what I’m most passionate about in my work is being a convincing advocate and a warrior for the people I’m representing.”

Before joining our firm Charles distinguished himself as a malpractice defense attorney and was known for his especially convincing courtroom presence. This wealth of prior experience gives him a unique and comprehensive perspective. Interestingly, during that time he was often told that he was “on the wrong side” and advised that he would make a great plaintiff’s attorney. “I’ve really enjoyed being here,” he says of his choice to join Phillips. “It’s just a great place.”

A 1981 graduate of DePaul University College of Law, where he was a member of the Law Review, Charles is currently licensed to practice before the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana and before state courts in Illinois. He has lectured around the country on medical malpractice, trial practice and trial advocacy, and has also published extensively on these topics.

Terrence M. Quinn, Partner

Curriculum Vitae

“I like helping people. That’s what I think attracts a lot of people to plaintiff’s work. My parents are social workers, so I come from that background. I think knowing that you have people who are relying on you whose lives are impacted adversely, you’re really working to make their lives easier, and that’s what keeps you going.”

Terry Quinn clerked for our firm during law school, and joined us as an attorney after his admission to the bar. Terry was mentored by our firm’s founder, John G. Phillips. Terry is known for his devotion to the study of law, and his excellent writing, research and analytical skills have made him an invaluable asset.  He has already made his mark with numerous successful results.

Jill M. Webb, Partner

Curriculum Vitae

Jill joined our firm in 2005. She brought with her nine years of experience as a plaintiff’s trial lawyer.

“I have always worked as a plaintiff’s trial lawyer. I love what I do and cannot imagine doing any other type of work. It gives me great pride to know that each day I help an individual or a family through a difficult time when an unexpected injury has caused such loss and devastation in their lives. Much of what we do is fight insurance companies for benefits and compensation to which our clients are entitled.”

Jill recently received recognition for her tireless efforts on behalf of her clients when she was named one of the 40 Illinois Attorneys Under Forty to Watch in 2008 by the Law Bulletin Publishing Company when she was only 36 years old.

In addition to advocating for her clients, she is active in various bar associations including the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association and Illinois State Bar Association. She served on the Board of Directors of Public Justice, a national public interest law firm, for several years. Jill has devoted time to the American Association for Justice, where she served on numerous committees and frequently attends its seminars and conventions. On several occasions she has lobbied the U.S. Congress on behalf of the AAJ to fight against legislation which would impair our clients' access to the courts in medical malpractice and personal injury cases. Jill also enjoys speaking at ITLA and AAJ seminars and conventions.

Jill is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, the Northern District of Illinois and in the State of Illinois.

Serving injured individuals and families in Illinois for over 65 years

From offices in Chicago, the attorneys of Phillips Law Offices offer quality comprehensive legal services to Illinois victims of medical malpractice and their families. Call (312) 470-6766, or contact Phillips Law Offices online today for a free consultation with an attorney about your case.

Call : 214-440-3902