Mary Pat Benz - a Chicago, Cook (IL) Mediation and Arbitration Lawyer

Chicago Mediation and Arbitration Lawyer

Updated: 03/10/2026

Areas of Practice

Mediation and Arbitration

Attorney Information

Overview

Mary Patricia Benz, an experienced trial and appellate attorney, opened a solo practice in downtown Chicago concentrating on professional responsibility counseling, litigation, administrative hearings, appeals, and alternative dispute resolution.

Ms. Benz has over 40 years of experience in state and federal courts. She focuses on all types of dispute resolution for individuals and businesses including lawyers, educators, and other professionals. She served for over ten years as a volunteer hearing board member and chair for Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (ARDC).

Ms. Benz was trained as a mediator in the DePaul University College of Law mediation program. She serves as an Arbitrator and Mediator with the American Arbitration Association.

Ms. Benz has been continuously present in Illinois Super Lawyers list of top-rated attorneys since 2005. Only five percent of lawyers in the state are named by Super Lawyers Magazine.

Ms. Benz graduated magna cum laude from Northwestern University School of Law in 1978 where she was selected for the Order of the Coif. While in Law School, she also served as a legal writing instructor. She received her Bachelor of Arts with distinction in psychology from the University of Illinois in Chicago. She is a frequent author and presenter on the topics of mediation, litigation, appeal issues and professional ethics.

Ms. Benz serves as a mediator and arbitrator with the American arbitration Association. The American Arbitration Association has been a leader in cost effective private dispute resolution, resolving nearly 8 million cases since 1926. It is the largest arbitral institution in the world. The ICDR®—International Centre for Dispute Resolution®— is the international division of the American Arbitration Association® (AAA®). The ICDR is the foremost provider of global conflict-resolution solutions to businesses and organizations involved in cross-border disputes.

Ms. Benz has served as an adjunct professor teaching a trial advocacy course at Northwestern University School of Law for 20 years and was an instructor for the National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA) Midwest Deposition Program for over 14 years. She also served as an adjunct faculty member at Loyola University of Chicago School of Law teaching trial practice.

Ms. Benz is also active in several bar associations, including the Appellate Lawyers Association, where she served as membership co-chair, and the Chicago Bar Association. She served on the Executive Committee of the Chicago Bar Association’s Judicial Evaluation Committee and as a Board Member of the Association of Attorney-Mediators. She was a volunteer mediator for the Center for Conflict Resolution in the Circuit Court of Cook County Mortgage Foreclosure Mediation Program. She also serves as a mediator in the Circuit Court of Will County Illinois.

Ms. Benz is also the recipient of the Chicago Bar Association, William J. White Award (2004) for service to the Judicial Evaluation Committee for multi-year contribution of time and expertise, and for the vigor and integrity for managing a particularly challenging year as Chair of the Investigation Division. Ms. Benz was recently honored by the ARDC and Supreme Court of Illinois “in recognition and appreciation of substantial contribution to the public, the legal profession and the courts, by serving with distinction as a Member of the Attorney Disciplinary System.”

Previously, Ms. Benz spent ten years as a litigation partner at Winston & Strawn LLP. Prior to that, she was a partner at the Chicago firms of Quinlan & Crisham Ltd. and Phelan Pope & John, Ltd.

Awards and Honors

Honors

Super Lawyers Magazine, Top Attorneys in Illinois , 2005 - 2011
Chicago Bar Association, William J. White Award, 2004 - Present

Education

Legal Education
- Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, Chicago, Illinois, 1978
  J.D., Doctor of Jurisprudence
  Honors: magna cum laude
  Honors: Order of the Coif
- DePaul University College of Law, Chicago, Illinois
  Mediation
Non Legal Education
- University of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois, 1973
  B.A. in Psychology
  Honors: With Distinction

Current Employment Position(s)

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Attorney
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Past Positions

Winston & Strawn LLP, Litigation Partner
Quinlan & Crisham Ltd., Partner
Phelan Pope & John, Ltd., Partner

Classes and Seminars

Adjunct Professor of Law (Trial Practice), Loyola University Chicago School of Law, 2010 - Present
Adjunct Professor of Law (Trial Advocacy Course), Northwestern University School of Law, 1989 to 2002, 2005 to 2009, 2013 to 2014 , 1989 - 2002
Instructor, National Institute for Trial Advocacy, Midwest Deposition Program, 1989 - 2003
Instructor, Winston & Strawn Training programs in Deposition and Trial Skills, multiple years

Bar Admissions

Illinois, 1978
U.S. Federal Courts, 1978
U.S. District Court Central District of Illinois
U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois
U.S. Supreme Court
U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit

Other Affiliations

Illinois State Bar Association (Member)
Chicago Bar Association (Member)
Appellate Lawyers Association (Member)
American Arbitration Association (Arbitrator)
Chicago Bar Association (Co-Chair)
Chicago Bar Association’s Judicial Evaluation Committee (Executive Committee)
Association of Attorney-Mediators (Board Member)
American Bar Association
Association for Conflict Resolution, Chicago Chapter
Association of Attorney-Mediators, Illinois Chapter
Women's Bar Association of Illinois

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Contact

Chicago, IL

111 West Washington Street
Suite 1150
Chicago, IL 60602

Directions

Phone: 872-777-9936

Email: Send a message

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Mary Pat Benz - Chicago, IL