Attorneys

PERSONAL BACKGROUND AND EDUCATION

Marios (Mario) N. Karayannis resides in St. Charles, Illinois with his wife, Kathryn, and his two children, Katy & Niko. Mario is active in various local organizations including Kiwanis, local adult and youth sports leagues, and St. Mary's Church of Elgin. Mario was born in Athens, Greece, speaks fluent Greek and became a United States citizen in 1978.

Mario graduated from Naperville North High School in Naperville, Illinois and then attended the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, from which he received his bachelor of science degree in 1983. Mario then attended The John Marshall Law School, Chicago, Illinois where he received his juris doctor degree, with distinction, in 1986.

PROFESSIONAL INTERESTS AND EXPERIENCE

Following graduation, Mario was an Assistant State's Attorney for the Kane County State's Attorney's Office until February, 1991. While at the State's Attorney's Office, Mario tried over two dozen felony jury trials involving charges ranging from murder and sexual assault to lesser felonies.

In February, 1991, Mario joined Brady & Jensen as an associate. In December, 1995, Mario was promoted to the position of partner at Brady & Jensen and remains a partner to the present.

Mario concentrates his practice in litigation. He has appeared throughout the federal and state courts in Illinois to represent clients on a variety of matters. Primarily, Mario's practice concentrates in personal injury litigation. Mario has been the lead counsel for plaintiffs in toxic tort litigation, medical malpractice litigation, auto injury litigation, premises liability litigation, civil rights litigation, product liability litigation and all other associated areas of personal injury claims. During his career, Mario has handled numerous complex cases involving significant injuries including multi-plaintiff law suits versus Fortune 500 companies.

Mario also engages in a substantial family law practice.  He has represented husbands, wives and has been a court-appointed guardian ad litem for children. Mario firmly believes that the role of the attorney in family law is to facilitate an amicable resolution to a difficult situation to ensure that his client's needs are met, while still allowing the client to move forward in life in a positive direction.

Finally, Mario has also represented numerous business clients in both complex and simple litigations concerning contracts, business disputes, and related matters.  Mario devotes the same attention to a business dispute irrespective of whether it involves a multi-million dollar contract or a small collection matter-- as he appreciates that business litigation, big or small, may often be critical to the survival of a client's business and livelihood.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Mario is a member of the American Trial Lawyers Association (ATLA), the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association (ITLA), the Illinois Bar Association (ISBA), the Kane County Bar Association (KCBA) and the Hellenic Bar Association.

AWARDS AND HONORS

While at John Marshall, Mario was a member of the John Marshall Law Review, graduated with distinction, was awarded the Order of John Marshall membership and was included in Who's Who Among American Law Students, 1986.

In his final year as a prosecutor, Mario was named the Kane County Prosecutor of the Year for 1990 following a year in which he tried more jury and bench trials in a single year than any prior prosecutor, a record that still stands.

Recently, Mario was included in the new millennium issue of Who's Who Among Lawyers (year 2000 edition).

COURTS ADMITTED TO:

Mario is licensed to, and admitted to practice before, the Supreme Court of the United States of America, the United State's Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (including the trial bar for same), the United States Tax Court and the Supreme Court of the State of Illinois (including all state courts within Illinois).