Ernie Burden, Shareholder

Ernie Burden concentrates his practice in civil litigation.  His areas of practice also include auto liability, contract disputes, construction, product liability, food contamination and fraud investigation.  Mr. Burden has successfully completed 34 jury trials and has participated in binding arbitrations on various matters. He is also experienced in insurance law, including special investigations, coverage, and reinsurance.

Mr. Burden is experienced in the area of insurance fraud.  Specifically in being aware of areas of the City of Chicago where staged accidents usually take place and being conscious of individuals, doctors and clinics whose names frequently come up surrounding fraudulent claims. He is also well versed in the Illinois Medical Practice Act which governs the practice of medicine in Illinois.  The knowledge of this act has allowed for Mr. Burden’s clients to not pay bills of physicians who do not comply with the act. 

Mr. Burden’s trial experience includes cases involving catastrophic injuries.   Recently, Mr. Burden successfully tried an auto liability case in the Circuit Court of Cook County where the plaintiff was a severely brained damaged young woman.  Liability was clear against Mr. Burden’s defendant, and plaintiff’s attorney requested an award for over $40 million.  Mr. Burden was able to limit the plaintiff’s recovery to less than 8% of the requested award.  Prior to joining Querrey & Harrow, he was successful in obtaining a $1.2 million verdict for his client in a professional negligence matter.

Mr. Burden has also worked in conjunction with the United States’ California Office of Civil Rights Monitoring.  He has worked to ensure fair housing and equal lending opportunities for the citizens of Illinois and Iowa.  He has also worked to ensure fair public accommodations for the citizens of Illinois and Wisconsin.

Mr. Burden is the 2008 recipient of the John Marshall Legacy of Opportunity Award and is featured in the 2010 John Marshall Law School Annual Report of the Dean.  

Mr. Burden is a member of Querrey & Harrow's Diversity and Hiring Committees.

Memberships

• John Marshall Law School Young Alumni Advisory Council
• Cook County Bar Association
• Illinois State Bar Association
• American Bar Association
• National Society of Professional Insurance Investigators

News

• Summary Judgment Granted!
• Ernie Burden Receives Legacy of Opportunity Award