CHICAGO ― Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP announced today that Donald L. Mrozek has been re-elected to another three-year term as Chairman, a role for which he has served consecutive terms since 1989. His 21st year in service as Hinshaw’s Chairman will begin on June 1, 2009. As Chairman, Mr. Mrozek leads and manages the firm, comprised of more than 450 lawyers in 24 offices nationwide, and chairs the Management and Executive Committees.
“The decision to re-elect Don as Chairman was made with great confidence and unanimous support,” said firm Managing Partner J. William Roberts. “Through his intuitive leadership style and genuine, roll-up-your-sleeves hard work, Don has earned the respect of his peers and colleagues over the length of his legal career at Hinshaw. His tremendous foresight of the legal industry is a particular advantage to the firm in these uncertain economic times.”
Hinshaw, which marks its 75th Anniversary in 2009, has continued to realize steady growth in revenue and profit under Mr. Mrozek’s leadership over the past three years, having its best year in 2008. The firm has also made strides in achieving the goals set forth in its strategic plan ― most notably including establishing a national presence; expanding its business practice; focusing on diversity and inclusion; and attracting high-value matters.
“Don has contributed considerably to Hinshaw’s long-term growth, stability and overall financial strength throughout his tenure,” said Kevin Joseph Burke, the firm’s newly appointed Vice Chairman. “He is a steady hand for progress that we’re pleased to have at the helm for another three years, and we congratulate him on this 20-year milestone.”
Mr. Mrozek, 62, has focused a substantial portion of his legal practice over the length of his career on business litigation and fidelity, surety and fiduciary bond claims and litigation. He has also conducted internal independent investigations for corporations and insurers involving allegations of fraud or misconduct. Mr. Mrozek also regularly provides general corporate and transaction counsel to clients in a wide variety of industries, with a particular emphasis on transaction planning and legal risk assessment. He has designed, implemented and managed national and regional litigation programs for corporate clients.
Mr. Mrozek has been consistently recognized for both his leadership contributions and his legal practice over his many years of service with Hinshaw. Most recently, in January 2009, he was profiled as the subject of “Don Mrozek ― Champion for His Firm and His Community,” an article in the Business Edition of Leading Lawyers Network Magazine, which describes his legal career and 20 years as Chairman of Hinshaw. He was also selected by his peers as a Leading Lawyer in Commercial Litigation and Insurance / Insurance Coverage, and named as one of the top 100 Leading Lawyers in Illinois in all areas of law. He was also honored as one of the Top 100 Business Lawyers in Illinois. Since 2005, Mr. Mrozek has been named annually to the Super Lawyers list in the area of Business Litigation by Illinois Super Lawyers magazine.
Among his numerous professional activities, Mr. Mrozek has served as Vice Chair of the Fidelity and Surety Committee of the American Bar Association; Vice Chair of the Fidelity and Surety Committee of the International Association of Defense Counsel; Chair of the Business Litigation Committee for the International Association of Defense Counsel; and Chair of the Defense Research Institute's Professional Liability Committee. He is also a member and Past President (2006-2007) of the Chicago Inn of Court. He serves on the Dean’s Council for DePaul University Law School, and earlier this month he was honored as the recipient of the 2009 DePaul Law Review Sapientia Award.
Mr. Mrozek joined Hinshaw & Culbertson in 1973. He received his B.S.E. from Northwestern University in 1969 and his J.D., cum laude, from DePaul University in 1973.
Founded in 1934, Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP is a national law firm with more than 460 lawyers in 24 offices spanning 12 states, including Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island and Wisconsin.
Hinshaw offers a full-service practice, with an emphasis in litigation, business law and corporate transactions, environmental, intellectual property, labor and employment law, professional liability defense, estate planning and taxation matters. The firm represents a range of for-profit and not-for-profit clients in industries that include alarm and security services, construction, financial services, health care, hospitality, insurance, legal, manufacturing, real estate, retail and transportation. Hinshaw clients also include government agencies, municipalities and schools.