Skip to main content
Find a Lawyer

Enter legal issue and location

David J. Kupets - Chicago, IL

161 N. Clark StreetSuite 1800 Chicago, IL 60601

Super Lawyers®

1

Updated: 01/02/2025

Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer

Overview

Dave graduated from the John Marshall Law School in Chicago. He has extensive success in both the trial and appellate courts on behalf of injured parties in a wide variety of case types. For example, David has successfully prosecuted airlines, doctors, product manufacturers, construction companies, trucking companies, premises owners, and others.

While a law student, he was appointed Chief Justice of the Moot Court program. This was a national program where law students from the major law schools argued contemporary issues before lawyers and judges, including state and U.S. Supreme Court Justices.

He was also a member of the American Bar Association National Trial Advocacy Team from John Marshall. He was selected as a member of the Gavel Society, Phi Delta Phi, an academic honor society, was named in Who’s Who of American Law Students for two years and was named in Outstanding Young Men in America, 1987-88. David is a member of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, (“ITLA”) and serves as a sustaining member and has served as a member of the Board of Managers and as a Membership Chairman. He is a member of the Association for American Justice (“AAJ”) and the American Trial Lawyers Association.

In 1997, he was a moderator for continuing legal education programs such as the Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education. He has been a speaker at the National Convention for ATLA in San Diego, California. He was an invited lecturer at a national conference on Toxic Torts held in West Palm Beach, Florida. He has been a speaker for several continuing legal education seminars for ITLA on various issues that affect the law. He has served as a moderator and panel member for television and radio.

David has taught and lectured at Chicago Kent Law School on issues including victims’ rights for workplace-related injuries beyond workers’ compensation benefits. He is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Association for Transportation Law, Logistics and Policies. David has performed pro bono work representing individuals seeking freedom and political asylum from other countries, including former communist dominated nations.

Most notably, David has served as a trial attorney in major national transportation disasters. He was one of the trial attorneys in the crash of U.S. Air Flight 405 at LaGuardia Airport on March 19, 1992. He was also appointed a member of the Plaintiffs’ steering committee in the multi-district litigation arising out of the crash of American Eagle Flight 3379 on approach to Raleigh Durham Airport on December 13, 1994. He has assisted in representing clients and trial preparation of several other air disasters including United Flight 232 (Sioux City, Iowa), United Flight 585 (Colorado, 1991), U.S. Air Flight 1016 (North Carolina, 1994), United Flight 811 (Hawaii, 1989). David was one of the lead attorneys in the air disaster at Hinkley, Illinois on September 7, 1992. David has also handled general aviation cases.

He was one of the lead attorneys prosecuting the City of Chicago and the building owner in the 713 Wrightwood porch collapse in June, 2003 which resulted in thirteen deaths and multiple serious injury cases. One of his more recent trials involved a motor vehicle crash between his client and a Des Plaines police car. There was no offer made on the case due to allegations that his client made an improper left turn and had a blood alcohol level of .159. He was able to prove that the test was inaccurate and that it was primarily the officer’s conduct that caused the crash. After a trial of more than two weeks, a Cook County jury returned a verdict in excess of $5 million dollars for his clients. The case was settled during the appeal. He has many more verdicts and settlements of significant cases in construction accidents, product liability, nursing home negligence, and several other areas.

David’s practice, like the other members of the law firm, extends throughout the State of Illinois and often involves litigation in other states.

David has been named to the National Registry of Who’s Who of Honored Professionals in America. David is licensed to practice in all three federal district courts and all state courts in Illinois. He has been honored in two periodicals: Since 2006 “Chicago Magazine” has named David as one of the lawyers elected by his colleagues as an “Illinois Super Lawyer.” He was also one of the 10 Lawyers honored by “Chicago Lawyer Magazine” as one of Chicago’s more prominent attorneys. David has been elected by ATLA as an Illinois Top 100 Trial Attorneys. He has also been selected as a charter member of Rue Ratings Top American Lawyers and Top Illinois Lawyers, as well as the top 1% of lawyers nationally by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel. Since 1994, he has enjoyed the top rating of “AV” by Martindale Hubbell for advocacy and ethics. He also enjoys a “superb” rating on AVVO – 10/10.

About David J. Kupets

Current Employment Position(s)

  • Partner

Languages

  • English (Primary)
  • Spanish

Practice Areas

  • Personal Injury

Litigation

  • 100%

Qualifications

Bar Admissions

  • Illinois, 1990
  • U.S. District Court Central District of Illinois, 1990
  • U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois, 1990
  • U.S. District Court Southern District of Illinois, 1990

Other Affiliations

  • Illinois Trial Lawyers (ITLA), 1990 - Present (Former Board Member)
  • Association for American Justice (AAJ), 1990 - Present (Member)
  • American Trial Lawyers Association, 2007 - Present (Member, Top 100 Trial Lawyers)

Classes and Seminars

  • Illinois Trial Lawyers, Presenter, Illinois Trial Lawyers, 1995 - 2010
  • Illinois Institute of Continuing Education, Moderator, 1997
  • ATLA/AAJ Convention Speaker, San Diego, CA, 1997
  • Toxic Torts National Conference, West Palm Beach, FL, 2001

Pro Bono Activities

  • Northern District of Illinois, 1991 - Present

Past Positions

  • Katz, Friedman Schur & Eagle, Law Clerk/Attorney, 1987 - 1990
  • Rapoport & Kupets, Attorney/Partner, 1991 - 1999

Education

  • The John Marshall Law School, Chicago, Illinois, 1988
    J.D.

Fraternities and Sororities

  • Phi Delta Phi

Fees

Accepts Credit Cards

Articles

Published Works

  • ITLA Trial Lawyers Seminars

Office Information

Address

161 N. Clark StreetSuite 1800 Chicago, IL 60601

Fax

  • (312) 726-7347

Achievements

Other Sources of Feedback About David J. Kupets

Included on the 2025 Illinois Super Lawyers list


Past Lists

  • 2024 Illinois Super Lawyers list
  • 2023 Illinois Super Lawyers list
  • 2022 Illinois Super Lawyers list
  • 2021 Illinois Super Lawyers list
  • 2020 Illinois Super Lawyers list
  • 2019 Illinois Super Lawyers list
  • 2018 Illinois Super Lawyers list
  • 2017 Illinois Super Lawyers list
  • 2016 Illinois Super Lawyers list
  • 2013 Illinois Super Lawyers list
  • 2012 Illinois Super Lawyers list
  • 2011 Illinois Super Lawyers list
  • 2010 Illinois Super Lawyers list
  • 2009 Illinois Super Lawyers list
  • 2008 Illinois Super Lawyers list
  • 2007 Illinois Super Lawyers list
  • 2006 Illinois Super Lawyers list

View the profile for David J. Kupets on Super Lawyers

Honors

  • Illinois Trial Lawyers President's Award, 2004-Present
  • Martindale Hubbell "AV" Peer Rating, 1995-2015
  • Super Lawyer Rating, 2006-Present
  • American Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers, 2007-2015
  • Top 1% - Association of Distinguished Counsel Association
  • Top 100 Trial Attorneys - American Trial Lawyers Association

When viewing a listing, consider the state advertising restrictions to which lawyers and law firms must adhere, as well as our FindLaw.com Legal Directory disclaimer. Some lawyers publish comparative information regarding the services that they provide which may be subject to specific comparative communications restrictions.

Write Your Review

Fields marked with an * are required

1. Rating

Overall rating

How would you rate your overall experience with this lawyer?

Use the up and down arrows to increase or decrease the rating

Please Rate
Optional ratings
Value
Please Rate
Quality Of Service
Please Rate
Professional Competence
Please Rate

2. Review

Please share your opinion of working with this attorney. Do not reveal personal information or details about your case. All submitted reviews are shared with the attorney prior to publishing.

Your feedback must be at least 50 characters.Your review must be at least 50 characters
I would recommend this attorney to friends and family:

3. Verification

Keep my name anonymous from public view:
Customer Type
Please choose one

Unable to send request

By submitting this form you agree to receive email communications from FindLaw related to the management of your review.

Privacy Statement Contact Lawyer FAQ

Map Location

Google Map

How do I choose a lawyer?

Consider the following:

Comfort Level
- Are you comfortable telling the lawyer personal information? Does the lawyer seem interested in solving your problem?

Credentials
- How long has the lawyer been in practice? Has the lawyer worked on other cases similar to yours?

Cost
- How are the lawyer's fees structured - hourly or flat fee? Can the lawyer estimate the cost of your case?

City
- Is the lawyer's office conveniently located?

Not sure what questions to ask a lawyer?

Here are a few to get you started:

  • How long have you been in practice?
  • How many cases like mine have you handled?
  • How often do you settle cases out of court?
  • What are your fees and costs?
  • What are the next steps?

Want to check lawyer discipline?

It is always a good idea to research your lawyer prior to hiring. Every state has a disciplinary organization that monitors attorneys, their licenses, and consumer complaints. By researching lawyer discipline you can:

  • Ensure the attorney is currently licensed to practice in your state
  • Gain an understanding of his or her historical disciplinary record, if any.
  • Determine the seriousness of complaints/issues which could range from late bar fees to more serious issues requiring disciplinary action.

Find a Lawyer

More Options