Rick Wittmer is a principal in the firm’s Chicago office. Mr. Wittmer is an experienced trial lawyer, focusing on the defense of claims of professional and general negligence in the post-acute care and overall healthcare setting. In addition to his healthcare trial services, he has assisted clients in administrative hearings, state and federal investigations, premises liability claims, fraud allegations, and contract disputes. Drawing on his experience as a plaintiff attorney prior to joining the firm, Mr. Wittmer brings a unique value and perspective to serving post-acute care and healthcare facilities and their staff in managing risk and avoiding the pitfalls of the industry which are often exploited by adversaries in litigation. To that end, he offers his clients a full range of educational presentations regarding dealing with residents and family members, documentation, avoiding and dealing with litigation, deposition best practices, and many more topics.
Mr. Wittmer is admitted to practice law in the Illinois State Courts and the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois. Mr. Wittmer received his Juris Doctor from John Marshall Law School in 2005. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Drake University in 1993. After graduation, Mr. Wittmer taught middle school for eight years at Plato Academy in Chicago. Mr. Wittmer is actively involved with the Plato Academy in Des Plaines, Illinois, serving as President of the Academy’s School Board for his sixth consecutive term.
Mr. Wittmer was named a Rising Star in 2012 through 2016 by Super Lawyers. Rising Stars are attorneys who are 40 years old or younger or those who have practiced for ten years or less. Only 2.5 percent of Illinois lawyers are named to this list every year.
Mr. Wittmer is a member of the Illinois Healthcare Association's legal committee and assists member healthcare organizations keep informed and compliant with changes in state and federal regulations as well as other industry developments. He is also a member of Claims Litigation Management, a leading insurance industry association devoted to keeping the insurance industry well-informed and connected.