Stephen J. Friedman
Senior Counsel
North Suburban Office
175 E. Hawthorn Parkway, Suite 145
Vernon Hills, IL 60061
Direct Phone: 847.856.5435
Fax: 847.247.7405
Email: sfriedman@ancelglink.com
University of Illinois, J.D with honors (1975)
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
U.S. Supreme Court
Federal Trial Bar, 1982-2021
Steve has returned to his concentration in Workers’ Compensation defense since his recent retirement as an Arbitrator at the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission.
Steve spent 40 years as a Workers’ Compensation defense attorney representing insurance carriers, third party administrators and self-insured companies throughout Illinois. He handled cases on Arbitration, review and appeal through the courts through Supreme Court. Hs practice included handling of occupational disease cases including cancer cases, asbestos exposure, and radiation exposure. He also focused on the interaction between Workers’ Compensation and civil liability including lien recovery, intentional tort, and employment issues such as wrongful termination and ADA compliance.
Steve was appointed as an Arbitrator of the Workers’ Compensation Commission in 2014 and served 10 years, handling cases in Chicago, Zone 5 (Waukegan, Woodstock, Rockford) and Zone 6 (Wheaton, Geneva). During his tenure, he was involved in the updating of the Commission rules, training newer Arbitrators, and was selected as a 19(p) arbitrator.
Awards/Professional Recognitions/Memberships
Leading Lawyer, 2004-2014
Illinois Super Lawyer, 2005-2014
AV Peer Rated by Martindale Hubbell
Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers
Member WCLA
Approved panel arbitrator American Arbitration Association-Employment Panel
Publications and Presentations
Steve has presented on Workers’ Compensation and related civil and employment issues for almost 50 years to employer and insurance groups, client claims handling seminars and attorney groups including the Kane and Winnebago County Bar Associations and at annual compulsory training for Commission Arbitrators, Commissioners and attorneys. He has been a contributor and presenter for over a decade for the annual IICLE Workers’ Compensation Institute on issues ranging from managing pretrials to the use of virtual technology and AI in the Workers’ Compensation practice. Steve has also judged law school moot court, trial advocacy and negotiation competitions.
Hobbies
Steve is an active bicyclist, who can be seen on most weekends riding along the North Shore. He has participated in many charity rides for lung health, AIDS research, cancer prevention, MS, and Diabetes prevention. He has also ridden tours Slovenia, Hungary, Spain, Holland, Belgium and Nicaragua.
When he is not on the bike, Steve also enjoys cooking and travel with family and friends.
Client Reviews
