Lincolnwood, IL

Tony S. Kalogerakos, principal and founding attorney of Tony S. Kalogerakos, Esq.-Injury Lawyers, has been an award-winning personal injury attorney since the beginning of his career. In his first year of practice, he secured a $1,000,000 award on a case that many high-profile attorneys in Illinois had turned down. Since that time, he has obtained numerous multi-million dollar awards and settlements; multiple publications have noted that Tony has been one of the quickest solo practitioners to reach the milestone of $100,000,000 recovered for clients. Many legal publications have recognized Tony as one of the best lawyers in the Midwest. He has a reputation for spending whatever is necessary to prove his clients’ case. No expense is spared. And he routinely retains some of the best and most well-respected experts in the United States. Tony is also licensed in the nation’s highest court-the United States Supreme Court. Tony’s interest in personal injury law started even before he attended law school. As a teenager, he worked as a paralegal in a personal injury practice. The insight he gained in that role proved invaluable and helped enable him to establish his own practice the day he was sworn in as a lawyer. His other life experiences have also contributed to his effectiveness as an injury attorney. As the survivor of a life-threatening car accident, Tony has been in the shoes of many of his clients. He knows firsthand what it feels like to worry about returning to life after an accident, to juggle medical bills and household obligations, to endure the pain and suffering that accompany a lifestyle disruption due to an injury. This unique perspective further fuels his determination to protect the rights of the injured. Clients appreciate, and colleagues respect, Tony’s compassionate, impassioned, and effective advocacy. He spares no expense in the pursuit of justice for his clients, routinely retaining some of the most highly-regarded experts in the United States. The results Tony has obtained for his clients earned him peer recognition as an Emerging Lawyer, Leading Lawyer and Super Lawyer. Only two percent of attorneys licensed to practice in the state have earned this distinction. Tony’s successful resolution of personal injury cases has earned him dozens of appearances in publications and on radio and television. He and his team continue to build their impressive track record of results, expanding the reach of the practice with the formation of a New York office in 2017 and an Arizona office in 2023.

For the past decade, Nicole Schroeder, Esq. litigated catastrophic personal injury cases at large legal practices where she specialized in medical malpractice. Her work at larger firms crystallized a desire for a more personal approach to practicing personal injury law, which led her to join Tony S. Kalogerakos-Injury Lawyers. Schroeder is involved in every aspect of a client’s case, from depositions to arbitrations court appearances to taking cases to trial. She is a passionate defender of human rights who brings a commitment to giving voice to the voiceless to her work. She said, “I am passionate about being an advocate for my clients.” The firm’s size and reputation are what attracted Schroeder to Injury Lawyers. “I like that we are giving a lot of individual attention to our clients, which gets us the best results,” she added. Supporting women in law is important to Schroeder, who has been involved with mentoring young lawyers through the Women’s Bar and other local organizations. When not at work, Schroeder fills her time with family, friends, and fitness. In addition to her active lifestyle, she enjoys boating and biking along the lakefront.

Acting as interpreter for her dad is what brought Ajka Jasarevic to the attention of Tony S. Kalogerakos, Esq., founder of Injury Lawyers of Illinois, New York and Arizona. Her father was an Injury Rights of Illinois client, and Ajka assisted by explaining the process to him. Her skills so impressed Tony that he offered her a job... and the rest is history. Eleven years later, she is now director of Legal Operations-Illinois, responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the firm’s Lincolnwood, IL headquarters. On any given day she can be found answering client questions, conducting legal research, working with insurers, and helping prepare legal documents. In addition, she provides support for trial and mediation preparation. However, one of her most client-appreciated responsibilities is working to reduce clients’ medical bills to ensure that their settlements are maximized. Ajka is also the force behind the promotional items that the firm gives away at festivals and conventions.

Kristin Payne’s interest in the law was stoked by all the law shows she watched as a youngster growing up in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Years later, after joining her husband in the States, an opportunity arose to apply for a legal receptionist job at a young law firm in Chicago. She applied thinking it would be a good way to get her foot in the door. That legal receptionist job soon turned into a paralegal position and now, eight years later, Kristin is the Director of Legal Operations for Arizona, the latest location to join the Tony S. Kalogerakos, Esq.-Injury Lawyers family of legal services. In this role Kristin is the one clients turn to for help understanding what to expect. She’s the one who explains how bills will be paid, offers advice on the timing of property damage claims, and generally guides clients as they wind their way through the legal process. Constant growth and building a strong family foundation are integral parts of her DNA. When not at work you can find the fitness enthusiast working out, cooking, and appreciating sunrises.

Cynthia-Val Chapman started as a marketing intern for Tony S. Kalogerakos, Esq.-Injury Lawyers of Illinois. She is a Pulitzer Prize-nominated writer who is responsible for producing the firm’s communications collateral materials, executing the firm’s marketing strategy, and managing out of home, print and social media advertising. She likes to call herself a poster child for transferable skills, having worked at various times as a newspaper reporter, publicist, fundraiser, graphic designer and college media advisor. Writing, traveling, collecting distinctive eyewear and creating bespoke jewelry and textile items are her current favorite pastimes. She has been known to travel the globe in pursuit of new frames and hard to find fabrics. Cynthia-Val earned a BS in Journalism from Florida A&M University-go Rattlers!-and a MS in Integrated Marketing Communications at Roosevelt University.