Gretchen "Greta" Powell

Gretchen “Greta” Powell is a trial attorney who concentrates her practice in civil litigation with an emphasis on the representation of hospitals, physicians, and nurses. She has successfully defended her clients in matters involving professional negligence, personal injury, and premises liability. She has significant experience in complex litigation matters involving catastrophic injuries.

 

Greta handles all aspects of the litigation process, from pre-suit investigations and analysis, up to and including trials and post-trial motions. She has co-counseled numerous trials to verdict. Greta’s prior experience as a plaintiff’s attorney gives her a unique, dual perspective to litigation as she can anticipate the plaintiff’s approach while simultaneously developing her defense. She welcomes the challenge to investigate the medicine involved in each case and her thorough research often leads to the development of unexpected defenses.

 

Greta is committed to her clients and doing whatever she can to support them through the litigation process. Her strong work ethic, attention to detail, and empathic nature make her a strong advocate for her clients. 

 

Greta is involved in the Chicagoland Healthcare Risk Management Society, the Chicago Bar Association, and the Women’s Bar Association. A proud alumna of the UIC John Marshall Law School, Greta remains actively engaged in the school’s Trial Advocacy Program, having coached numerous mock trial teams at the local, regional, and national level. Greta serves as a mentor for numerous law students and young lawyers in the community. She finds it very meaningful to give back and do what she can to help up and coming lawyers grow and develop.

 

In 2019, Greta was the recipient of the Jury Verdict Reporter’s Trial Lawyer Excellence Award for Outstanding Defense Verdict in a Medical Malpractice Case.

 

In 2020, UIC John Marshall Law School honored Greta with its G.O.L.D. Award, which recognizes an alumnus who graduated during the last decade for significant achievements in the practice of law. She has repeatedly been selected by Super Lawyers as an Illinois Rising Star and recognized as an Emerging Lawyer by Leading Lawyer Magazine.

 

Greta lives in Oak Park with her husband and their two daughters.

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Presentations

 

• "Practical Tips for Trial and Beyond", Illinois State Bar Association Tort Law Section, December 2023

• "14th Annual Symposium with the Judges", Discussion Leader, November 2023.

• “Nursing Practice and the Law,” Educational presentation for nursing students at Milwaukee Area Technical College, May 2019.

• “The Right to Breastfeed Act,” Training presentation for senior leadership at Advocate Christ Medical Center, October 2017.

• “Defensive Medicine: How it Impacts the Cost and Quality of Healthcare,”  Continuing Medical Education presentation at Presence Saint Joseph Medical Center, June 3, 2015.