Joel Bertocchi Elected to American Academy of Appellate Lawyers

September 16, 2015

CHICAGO, September 16, 2015– Joel Bertocchi, the Chicago-based leader of the Appellate Practice at Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, was elected to be a fellow of the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers (AAAL). Membership in AAAL is reserved for experienced appellate advocates who have demonstrated the highest skill level and integrity.

The AAAL was founded in 1990 to recognize outstanding appellate lawyers and promote the improvement of appellate advocacy and the administration of the appellate courts. Membership in it is open only to a person who possesses a reputation of recognized distinction as an appellate lawyer. To be eligible for membership, a nominee’s practice must have focused substantially on appeals during at least the last 15 years. AAAL membership is limited to 500 members in the United States and is by invitation only. Candidates must be nominated by a present AAAL member, reviewed and approved by a membership evaluation committee, and elected at a regular AAAL meeting.

An experienced appellate litigator — and Solicitor General of the State of Illinois from 1999–2003 — Mr. Bertocchi has argued appeals before the U.S. Supreme Court, the Illinois Supreme Court, and many federal and state intermediate appellate courts. He has been honored several times for his appellate work, including the Diversity Helping Hand Award from the Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago, Inc., the U.S. Department of Justice Director’s Award for Superior Performance, and a “Supreme Court Best Brief Award” from the National Association of Attorneys General.

Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP is a U.S. based law firm with offices nationwide. The firm's national reputation spans the insurance industry, the financial services sector, and other highly regulated industries. Hinshaw also serves as counsel to the professional services sector, and provides business advisory and transactional services to clients of all sizes.