John T. Karnezis
Prior to forming Pullano & Karnezis in 2009, Mr. Karnezis was a litigator at Clifford Law Offices, where he started as an associate in 2000 and advanced to partner in 2005.
In his nine years with Clifford, Mr. Karnezis won several high-profile and landmark cases for his clients, including a $38.3 million verdict in 2004 for a truck and automobile accident near Rockford, Illinois. The National Law Journal called it the largest award for a motor vehicle accident that year.
Additional victories include $10.5 million award for a corporate jet crash at Palwaukee Airport in Wheeling; $3 million for an auto accident in Lake Forest; $3 million for a truck accident in Countryside; and $1.4 million for a child injured in a school bus accident.
Mr. Karnezis was named as one of the Top 40 Attorneys Under 40 by Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, an Illinois “Super Lawyer” in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009. He also has a Martindale-Hubbell peer-review rating of “AV“, meaning his peers recognize him as having the highest legal ability and adhering to the highest ethical standards. In 2008 and 2009, Mr. Karnezis was named a “leading lawyer” by the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin.
Mr. Karnezis is an adjunct professor for trial advocacy at John Marshall Law School in Chicago and a faculty member at the National College of District attorneys in Houston; Norfolk, Virginia; San Francisco; and San Diego, California. He has lectured on topics ranging from cross-examination theory, visual elements in trials, and witness examination. He has also been a guest commentator on Court TV.
Mr. Karnezis earned his juris doctor from Loyola University and is a member of the Chicago Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, and the Illinois State Bar Association. He is also a member of the American Trial Lawyers Association, an honor awarded to only 100 attorneys from each state.
Mr. Karnezis volunteers with The Cara Program, assisting in the professional training and placement of low income and homeless persons.
Prior to Clifford Law Firm, Mr. Karnezis was an assistant Cook County State’s Attorney for nine years. There he successfully tried more than 65 jury trials and more than 500 bench trials. His tenure included service in the Gang Crimes Unit, the Felony Trial Division, the Public Integrity Unit of the Special Prosecution Bureau and the Division of Criminal Appeals.