NAPERVILLE, IL—The Collins Law Firm is proud to announce that six attorneys at the firm have been named to the Illinois Super Lawyers list this year. Partners Shawn Collins and Edward Manzke, and Of Counsel attorneys Norman Berger and John Sopuch have been selected as 2024 Super Lawyers. Partner John Risvold and associate Margaret Galka have been named 2024 Rising Stars.
Super Lawyers recognizes the top 5% of attorneys in each state–elected through peer nominations, independent research, and evaluations– for outstanding performance in the legal field. Rising Stars, reserved for only 2.5% of younger attorneys with up to 10 years of experience, recognizes exceptional talent. Widely acknowledged as a valuable resource for those seeking legal representation, Super Lawyers sets a high standard in the legal profession.
“We’re proud to announce that six attorneys from our firm have been honored for their excellence in the legal field. At The Collins Law Firm, our commitment is to provide each client with unparalleled representation, and it’s truly rewarding to see this dedication recognized,” stated Shawn Collins. Congratulations to the following attorneys for their recognition by Super Lawyers in 2024.
Shawn Collins, the managing partner and founder of The Collins Law Firm, possesses over three and a half decades of trial experience. Named to the Illinois Super Lawyers list 15 times since the program’s inception, his groundbreaking cases in environmental litigation have led to precedent-setting outcomes, including securing the largest single plaintiff verdict ever in the state of Illinois. This verdict was also the second largest personal injury verdict in the country. With verdicts and settlements totaling in the hundreds of millions, including a landmark $363 million trial verdict for a client affected by ethylene oxide exposure and a $408 million settlement for over 870 clients injured by toxic contamination, Mr. Collins has left an indelible mark on the legal landscape.
Edward Manzke, a senior partner at the firm, brings three decades of litigation experience in personal injury and environmental cases. Recognized on the Illinois Super Lawyers list 18 times since 2006, he has been at the forefront of prosecuting cases involving personal injury and wrongful death arising from medical negligence, product liability, transportation negligence, toxic exposure, premises liability, and nursing home abuse and neglect. He has secured over $160 million in verdicts and settlements for his clients, including an $8 million settlement for an automobile accident victim.
John Risvold advocates for victims and families across Illinois, specializing in personal injury, medical malpractice, and wrongful death cases. Over the years, several of John’s personal injury settlements have ranked among the Top 20 Motor Vehicle Accident Settlements in Illinois and the top 100 Motor vehicle Accident Settlements in the U.S. Notably, he recently secured a million-dollar settlement for a client injured in a truck accident and $750,000 for a car crash victim. Recognized for his excellence, John has been named a Super Lawyers Rising Star 7 times.
Norman Berger, serving as Of Counsel with The Collins Law Firm, brings extensive experience in environmental law, having represented clients in significant Superfund matters in the Midwest. With over $100 million recovered for clients exposed to toxic chemicals, Norman’s outstanding work has earned him recognition as an Illinois Super Lawyer since 2005.
Margaret Galka, an associate at The Collins Law Firm since 2018, focuses her practice on environmental mass torts, civil rights, and complex litigation. Instrumental in securing a groundbreaking $363 million verdict for a client affected by ethylene oxide exposure, Margaret’s dedication to her clients has earned her recognition as a Super Lawyer Rising Star the last two years.
John Sopuch, also serving as Of Counsel at The Collins Law Firm, represents clients in business litigation and commercial dispute resolution. With a track record of multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts, he has been recognized as a Super Lawyer since 2018.
The Collins Law Firm is a premier boutique law firm in the Chicago suburbs representing clients throughout the Midwest in personal injury, environmental, and commercial matters
