Ernie Burden

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 64 jury trials and has participated in binding arbitrations/mediations on various matters. He has also argued before the Illinois Appellate Court.  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.

Education

John Marshall Law School, JD, 2000

Frostburg State University, BS, 1994

Practice Areas

Auto Liability

Construction

Insurance Fraud

Premises Liability

Product Liability

Reinsurance

Bar and Court Admissions

Illinois, 2000

US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

Federal Trial Bar

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