Attorneys

PERSONAL BACKGROUND AND EDUCATION

Wayne M. Jensen was born on November 23, 1940 in Elgin, Illinois.  After graduating from Elgin High School in 1958, he attended Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana, where he earned a B.A. in 1962 and a juris doctor degree in 1964.  Mr. Jensen and his wife, the Honorable Pamela K. Jensen, reside in Elgin, Illinois and are parents of four grown children and the grandparents of two young children.  Mr Jensen retired as partner on February 1, 2007.

PROFESSIONAL INTERESTS AND EXPERIENCE

Throughout his career, Mr. Jensen has limited his practice to civil litigation with a primary emphasis on personal injury cases of all types before state and federal Courts and the Illinois Industrial Commission (Workers' Compensation).

Mr. Jensen has been involved in litigation, primarily jury cases, throughout his career and has participated in the trial of a multi-million dollar verdict and multi-million dollar settlements.  His background includes assignment to a complex anti-trust lawsuit involving IBM and Greyhound Computer Corporation for over a year and has acted as a special Assistant Attorney General from 1971 through 1978 when he represented the Illinois State Tollroad Authority in litigation involving civil claims and the acquisition of property for the construction of the tollroad currently designated Interstate 88.  That project included acquiring through condemnation over 80 parcels of land.

Mr. Jensen has tried many cases to verdict throughout his career and these include claims based on product liability, fire, automobile, toxic torts and other forms of civil claims permitting recovery for personal injury.

Throughout his practice, he has represented clients before the Illinois Industrial Commission (Workers' Compensation). Although he has represented the City of Elgin as an employer, the large majority of his cases are representing injured employees.

Mr. Jensen is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association, American Bar Association, Chicago Bar Association, Kane County Bar Association, American Trial Lawyers Association and the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association.  He is licensed to practice before all state Trial Courts, the Appellate Courts and the Illinois Supreme Court and been admitted to the trial bar before the United States District Court (Trial Bar).

PROFESSIONAL HONORS

Mr. Jensen has been a frequent lecturer on trial practice topics for the continuing legal education program of the Kane County Bar Association.  In 1993, he was appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court to the Illinois Pattern Jury Instruction Committee of the Supreme Court.  The Committee is charge with the responsibility of maintaining, changing and drafting new jury instructions which are used throughout all Illinois courts and are mandated by the Supreme Court.

MARTINDALE-HUBBELL RATING

Mr. Jensen has been awarded an AV rating, the highest rating provided by Martindale-Hubbell.  The AV rating signifies that Mr. Jensen's legal abilities and professional ethics meet the very highest standards.  These ratings are made through confidential inquiries of peers and others in the community.

REFERRALS

Mr. Jensen accepts referrals of all cases involving civil litigation and workers' compensation, with a primary emphasis on personal injury.