Attorneys
The firm’s founder and principal, Magdalena Dworak-Mathews, is a bright, confident attorney who consistently demonstrates a high level of intelligence and a commitment to the profession. Having been born and educated in Poland, she graduated from a theological seminary in Europe before moving to the United States where she received a Bachelor degree in theology and philosophy from Loyola University Chicago with the recognition of the Loyola Presidential Scholarship for academic excellence. She received her law degree from DePaul University College of Law, earning awards and distinctions including magna cum laude, Order of the Coif as well as Law Review.
While in law school, Magdalena worked as a legal intern in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Department of Justice, where she represented the United States in a variety of cases, including the defense of medical negligence cases against the Veteran’s Affairs Hospital. She also interned in the Illinois State’s Attorneys’ Office, working on criminal matters. The experience working for the government, allowed her to learn how to effectively help clients in criminal and quasi-criminal matters.
Upon graduating law school, Magdalena worked for over 10 years as a litigation attorney with the Law Office of Kenneth C. Chessick, M.D., and Clifford Law Offices, P.C. , representing victims of medical and pharmaceutical negligence in many state and federal courts. She tried many cases to verdict, including a $5.95 million verdict in Cook County in a case involving a woman who lost her breast due to a doctor’s failure to timely diagnose breast cancer. She obtained a $11.1 million settlement on behalf of a baby girl who sustained severe brain damage at birth because of a physician’s failure to perform a timely C-section. She also obtained a $2.3 million settlement in Winnebago County, Illinois, on behalf of a baby boy who suffered brain damage when a midwife negligently supervised the delivery and did not timely consult an obstetrician. Also, in 2011, she obtained a $1.175 million settlement and verdict on behalf of a woman who suffered injuries to her colon when a surgical sponge was left inside her during a C-section.
Magdalena’s experience as a litigator includes the area of business and complex commercial litigation. She worked with the firm of Strauss and Malk, LLP, where she focused on obtaining justice for clients whose business partners breached their trust and made away with their funds.
Magdalena believes in giving back to her community and is actively involved in her town, complaining in support of issues that bring the community closer together. She serves as a commissioner on the Planning and Zoning Board in the Village of Long Grove.
Magdalena is fluent in Polish and also is proficient in Russian and German. Her work ethic and her no-nonsense attitude quickly gains respect in legal circles and among her clients.
Her firm, the Law Office of Magdalena Dworak, P.C., was founded to serve individuals and business in their day-to-day legal issues and do so in an efficient and technology-embracing manner.