Countryside, IL

James M. Ridge

Jim was born and raised on the Northwest side of Chicago. He graduated from St. Ignatius College Prep High School and received his undergraduate degree from St. Louis University. He received his Law degree from DePaul University School of Law in 1974. After graduating from Law School, he began practicing law in St. Louis, Missouri. Jim returned to the Chicago area in 1976 and was hired as an associate at the law firm of Perz & McGuire, concentrating his practice in Workers’ Compensation and Third Party Injury Cases. He became a partner in 1980 and the Senior Partner of the firm in 1985. In addition to a full schedule of trial work, Jim also spends a substantial amount of his time giving legal presentations to various labor groups. He instructs members about both their rights and benefits under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act and also issues associated with other statutory and common law cases including personal injury, product liability and medical malpractice. Jim has been recognized for his charitable and civic contributions by many organizations. In 1997, the Illinois Police Pension Fund Association selected Jim as “Man of the Year” for his work employing a successful legislative plan that restored police officers’ and firefighters’ benefits under the Worker’s Compensation Act that had been preempted by various local municipalities. Jim also received the “Blue and Gold” Award from the Fraternal Order of Police in 2004 for his outstanding contribution to the FOP and the Law Enforcement Community in the State of Illinois. This is the highest award given to a non-sworn officer by the FOP. Jim is also a member of the Illinois Law Enforcement Educational Fund board of directors. Jim’s favorite charitable organization is the Guide Dogs of America (GDA). In association with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers he has sponsored the training of a number of guide dogs. Once these dogs complete their vigorous training they enable the blind to live and work with greater independence. Jim has also been honored on several occasions by “In Search of a Cure” for his support of autism research. He is also pleased to support “DADS” - Dollars Against Diabetes. For several years, Jim has joined “Team Trooper” to shave his head at an annual St. Baldrick’s event raising money to help end childhood cancers. Jim is a member of the Illinois Bar Association, the American Association of Justice (formerly the Association of Trial Lawyers of America), the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, and the Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Association.

Jim Farnan grew up on the west side of Chicago. He is a graduate of Fenwick High School, Eastern Illinois University, and The John Marshall Law School. Jim joined our firm in 2015, following 27 years of trial experience with Guth, Reinke & Farnan, and Farnan & Cahill. Most recently, Jim tried a case in June of 2014 resulting in a verdict of $1.8 million on behalf of a construction worker in a very difficult worker's compensation liability case. Jim is a member of the American Bar Association, The Federal Trial Bar of the Northern District of Illinois, The Illinois State Bar Association, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, Chicago Bar Association, and West Suburban Bar Association. Jim is an AV-rated Martindale Hubble Best Attorney Network, 2008. He volunteered as a pro bono coordinator for the Chicago Legal Clinic from 1992 to 1995 and as a Moot Court/Trial Skills Instructor for the Chicago Public Schools System from 1995 to 1997. He has acted as an Arbitrator for the Circuit Court of Cook County and has also been a guest expert on the Jonathan Brandmeier radio program. Jim has been recognized for his charitable and civic contributions by many organizations. He is a current volunteer for Catholic Charities, donating his time at Tuesday night dinners for the homeless. He is also past president of LaGrange Little League, past board member with St. Francis Xavier School, and Varsity Football Coach for St. Francis Xavier School.

Michael Gunzburg has over 30 years of experience as a trial lawyer. He began his career as a defense lawyer representing corporate defendants in product liability and construction injury cases before changing the focus of his practice to the representation of personal injury plaintiffs. His experience on the defense side has provided him with a unique perspective which has often proved invaluable in navigating a course to successful outcomes for his clients. For the past 20 years, Michael has represented the victims of negligence suffering catastrophic injuries in a wide range of cases, ranging from simple premises liability and motor vehicle accidents to complex construction site accidents and medical negligence. He has achieved many multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts on behalf of his clients, including a $16 million settlement in a difficult catastrophic stroke case against an HMO. Michael is a passionate advocate for his clients and loves the challenge of a difficult case. He is most proud of his many successful outcomes in cases that other lawyers have turned away.

Brian joined the firm in August 2020. Brian earned his Juris Doctorate from Chicago Kent College of Law and his undergraduate degree from Marquette University. Brian has dedicated over 30 years primarily to workers’ compensation litigation. Following his distinguished career as defense counsel for Travelers Insurance Company, Brian transitioned to become a successful private practitioner. Drawing from his extensive knowledge of diverse medical issues, he currently handles complex workers’ compensation claims for the firm. Brian has represented over 15 professional sport teams with an emphasis on the defense of major concussion claims. Since 2000, Brian has been certified as a municipal hearing officer for the Villages of South Chicago Heights and Steger where he presides over 80 hearings per month, including Housing, A-0, and C-Class violations. In 2017, Brian was elected to the Board of Trustees for the Village of Flossmoor. Brian is a member of the Workers’ Compensation Lawyers’ Association, Illinois State Bar Association, and Chicago Bar Association.

Karin has worked at Ridge Law Group since 1992, after receiving her law degree from DePaul University, School of Law and her undergraduate degree in Political Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Concentrating in Workers’ Compensation litigation, Karin has handled claims for injured workers at numerous Workers’ Compensation Commission venues throughout Illinois. She has extensive experience pursuing appeals before the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission, in the county Circuit Courts throughout the state and has successfully argued a number of appeals before the Illinois Appellate Court. As a part of Karin’s practice, she lectures and provides training opportunities to Labor Groups and other trade associations on topics related to Workers’ Compensation Law. Karin has been involved in the drafting and passage of legislation that allows police officers and firefighters who have been injured on the job to receive benefits under the Workers’ Compensation Act. Karin is a member of the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission Lawyers Association and the Illinois Bar Association. In addition to her law practice, Karin is a long-time volunteer and past member of the Board of Directors, as well as the past president of Beds Plus, Inc. Beds Plus, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization providing shelter and other services to homeless individuals in Western Cook County. She also is a member of the Executive Board of the Bar Association and coach of the Mock Trial team at her alma mater, Trinity High School, in River Forest, IL.