PARTNER
Built one of the largest injury firms in Illinois.
Recovered hundreds of millions in settlements and verdicts.
Is a proven leader in the courtroom and the community.
A third-generation lawyer, Howard Ankin has known many of his clients since he was a child. They descend from family members, friends and co-workers of his father and grandfather; many recall him as a young boy accompanying his father to court on school breaks. Deep passions for justice and the law are not just part of Howard’s professional life, they have been engrained in who he is since he was born.
Today, Howard owns Ankin Law – which has flourished since it was founded in March of 1997 – alongside his father and partner, Paul B. Ankin. With extensive experience practicing personal injury, workers’ compensation, trucking litigation, wrongful death, social security disability, criminal and civil litigation, Howard has devoted his professional life to seeking justice on behalf of his clients and perpetuating the tradition of the Ankin family providing superior legal support for all of its clients.
By his third year of practice, Howard recovered $1,000,000.00 for his client in Latta vs. Village Green Associates. Today, he has countless victories to his credit. But Howard’s greatest professional accomplishment continues to be the stability and hope he brings his clients by securing their livelihood through legal victories.
Howard Ankin prides himself in representing his clients as their friend and attorney, providing quality referrals for legal matters outside of his practice areas. His investment in the Ankin Law Office LLC is evidenced every day as families throughout the Chicago area and Illinois return to the firm for legal guidance at all stages of their lives.
Practice Areas
Personal Injury
Workers’ Compensation
Mass Torts & Class Action
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Achievements, Awards & Recognitions
American Association of Justice Certificate of Recognition, 2019
AAJ Certificate of Recognition, 2019
American Association for Justice, Certificate of Recognition, 2018
John Marshall Law School Presidential Service Award, 2017
Chicago Teamsters Hispanic Caucus, Award of Gratitude, 2009
Apostle Florida Jackson Church, Outstanding Service Award, 2005
Super Lawyers magazine, Super Lawyer, 2015-2019
Leading Lawyers magazine, Leading Lawyer, 2015-2019
Workers’ Injury Law & Advocacy Group, Top 100 Injured Workers’ Attorneys, 2015
Another Chance Baptist Award, Service Award, 2014
Bishop Paul Hall Community Center, Alberta Hall Humanitarian Award, 2013
Chicago Teamsters Black Caucus Award of Gratitude, 2012
Trial Lawyers Board or Regents Top Litigator – Workers’ Compensation and Personal Injury
Work Injury Lawyers’ Guild, One of the nation’s top injury attorneys
Evangelistic Outreach Deliverance Ministry, Apostle Jackson Outstanding Service Award
Teamsters National Black Causcus, Chicago chapter, Commitment and Support Award
Associations & Affiliations
Board of Directors, Chicago Volunteer Legal Services
Board of Governors, Governor At Large, American Association of Justice
PAC, Eagle Level, American Association of Justice
Leaders Forum, American Association of Justice
National Finance Council Board, American Association of Justice
Gold Fellow, Illinois Bar Foundation
Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
Illinois State Bar Association
American Bar Association
Chicago Bar Association
Work Injury Lawyers Association
Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Association (WCLA)
Work Injury Lawyers Guild (WILG), Board of Directors
Illinois State Bar Association Worker’s Compensation Section Counsel, 2017 and 2018, 2019
Board of Managers, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association and Co-President of the Worker’s Compensation Section, 2017 and 2018, 2019
President of the John Marshall Law School Alumni Association 2018
John Marshall Law School Trustee Nominating Committee, 2018
UIC and JMLS Working Team for Alumni Development and Integration, 2018
John Marshall Law School Freedom Award Event Organizer and Sponsor 2018, 2019
Work Injury Lawyers Guild, Board member, 2008
Decalogue Society of Lawyers
Friend of Labor and Labor Locals
John Marshall Law School Alumni Board
Illinois State Bar Association Allerton Conference
Standard Club of Chicago
American Bar Association
Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Association
Workers’ Injury Law and Advocacy Group, Board of Directors, 2009-Current
Engagements
Conducted Seminar at Chicago Legal Volunteer Services (CVLS), “What is Workers’ Compensation?”, May 16, 2019
Speaker, LitiQuest X 2019, May 7, 2019
Spoke, at Allerton Conference 2019 on “Considerations for effective changes to the Code, Supreme Court Rules and Rules of Evidence”, May 2-4, 2019
Participated in John Marshall Law School panel “How to be a Successful Summer Law Clerk”, Spring of 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019
Illinois State Bar Association Spring Seminar, Jurisdiction and Credits, Chicago 2/18/19
John Marshall Law School Commencement Speaker 5/20/18 and 12/16/18
John Marshall Law School New Student Orientation Speaker, 4/26/17 and 8/14/18
Illinois Worker’s Compensation Lawyer’s Association Seminar, Settlement Contracts, Oakbrook 11/2/18
Illinois State Bar Association Fall Seminar, Maintenance vs. TTD and Vocational Rehabilitation, Chicago 10/8/18
John Marshall Law School New Student Orientation Speaker, 4/26/17 and 8/14/18
Illinois Chiropractors Association Seminar: Treating Workers Compensation Patients, 4/14/18
Illinois State Bar Association Spring Seminar, Update and Review of Current Case Law, Chicago 2/19/18
llinois Worker’s Compensation Lawyer’s Association Seminar, Pitfalls of Medical Bills, Oakbrook 11/3/17
Workers Compensation Lawyers Association, What You Need to Understand About the Cornbelt Case, 7/12/16
Sterling Education Seminars, Fundamentals Of Worker’s Compensation, Naperville 7/7/16
ATI Physical Therapy, Role Playing Direct and Cross Examination of Therapist, Bolingbrook Corporate Campus, 7/15
Sterling Education Services, Worker’s Compensation Law and Practice, Naperville 6/3/14
Athletico Physical Therapist Seminar, Injury Lawyer’s Perspective, Hamburger University Oakbrook, 1/11/13
Northwest County Bar Association, What You Need to Know about 2011 Law Changes, 3/1/12
Chicago Volunteer Legal Services, Overview of the Work Comp Process, 3/31/10
ATI Physical Therapy, Injury Lawyer’s Perspective, Bolingbrook Corporate, 2/25/10
Education
B.A., College of Communications from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 1990
J.D., John Marshall Law School, 1993
Bar & Court Admissions
Illinois State Bar Association
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
U.S. District Court, Central District of Illinois
