Howard Ankin

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.

Practice Areas

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 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.

Achievements, Awards & Recognitions

  • American Association for Justice (AAJ), Richard D. Haley Distinguished Service Award, 2023
  • Decalogue Society of Lawyers, Presidential Citation, 2023
  • Habitat for Humanity Appreciation Award, 2023
  • Anshe Emet Synagogue, Maxine Segal Handleman Award, 2023
  • United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Award, 2023
  • Workers’ Injury Law and Advocacy Group (WILG), Top 100 Injured Workers’ Attorneys, 2015-2023
  • Super Lawyers Magazine, Super Lawyer, 2015-2023
  • Leading Lawyers Magazine, Leading Lawyer, 2016-2023
  • American Association for Justice (AAJ), Distinguished Service Award, 2022
  • American Association for Justice (AAJ), Wiedemann and Wysocki Award, 2021
  • American Association for Justice (AAJ), Above and Beyond Award, 2020
  • American Association for Justice (AAJ), Certificate of Recognition, 2019
  • UIC Law (formerly The John Marshall Law School), Distinguished Service Award, 2017
  • Trial Lawyers Board of Regents Top Litigator – Workers’ Compensation and Personal Injury, 2017
  • Another Chance Baptist Church, Service Award, 2014
  • Bishop Paul Hall Community Center, Alberta Hall Humanitarian Award, 2013
  • Donated the Lois and Paul Ankin Reception Center to UIC Law (formerly The John Marshall Law School), July 17,2013
  • Chicago Teamsters Black Caucus, Award of Gratitude, 2012
  • Teamsters National Black Caucus, Chicago Chapter, Commitment and Support Award, 2012
  • Chicago Teamsters Hispanic Caucus, Award of Gratitude, 2009
  • Evangelistic Outreach Deliverance Ministry, Apostle Jackson Outstanding Service Award, 2005

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
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Engagements

  • Workers’ Compensation Seminar 
    Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) | 2023
  • Allerton Conference, Invited Participant
    University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | 2023
  • Case Law Update
    Workers’ Compensation Seminar | 2023
  • Illinois Workers’ Compensation Guide
    UIC’s Center for Healthy Work | 2023
  • Race Judicata
    Chicago Volunteer Legal Services (CVLS) | 2010 – 2023
  • What Should You do if You Are Injured?
    Howard Ankin WC Seminar | 2023
  • How to Build Your Brand and Authority in a Competitive Space With Howard Ankin
    Inspired Insider Podcast | 2023
  • Howard Ankin Addresses Work-From-Home Injuries
    Ankin Law | 2022
  • Laws & Paws
    Ankin Law | 2022
  • The Unwritten Rule of Manifest Weight Cases:  Is the Decision Well Supported in Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits of Illinois v. IWCC
    Workers’ Compensation Newsletter | 2022
  • How to Protect Your Rights if You are in an Accident
    Another Chance Church | 2021
  • Moot Court – Wagner Team, Advisor
    UIC Law (formerly The John Marshall Law School) | 2021
  • LitiQuest | 2021
  • Helping Clients Find You:  Social Media, Advertisements, and the Internet
    ISBA Business Institute Series | 2021
  • Ankin Law Virtual Daddy Daughter Dance
    Virtual | 2021
  • Social Security Disability Claim Denied? Learn How to Win Disability Benefits
    Daily Herald Webinar | 2020
  • Meet Four Candidates Racing for a Spot on Illinois’ Highest Court, interviews with Illinois Supreme Court candidates:  Cynthia Cobbs, Nathaniel Howse, Margaret McBride, and Jesse Reyes
    Ankin Law | 2020
  • How to Get Paid for Treating Workers Compensation Patients
    Illinois Chiropractic Society Presentation | 2019
  • How to Handle a Workers’ Compensation Case
    Chicago Legal Volunteer Services (CVLS) |  201
  • What Is Workers’ Compensation? 
    Chicago Legal Volunteer Services (CVLS) |  2019
  • LitiQuest X |  2019
  • Considerations for effective changes to the Code, Supreme Court Rules and Rules of Evidence
    Allerton Conference | 2019
  • How to be a Successful Summer Law Clerk
    Participated in John Marshall Law School panel | 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2021
  • Jurisdiction and Credits
    Illinois State Bar Association Spring Seminar, Chicago  | 2019
  • Commencement Speaker
    John Marshall Law School | 2018, 2020, 2021, and 2023
  • New Student Orientation Speaker
    John Marshall Law School | 2017 & 2018
  • Settlement Contracts
    Illinois Worker’s Compensation Lawyer’s Association Seminar, Oakbrook | 2018
  • Maintenance vs. TTD and Vocational Rehabilitation
    Illinois State Bar Association Fall Seminar, Chicago | 2018
  • Treating Workers Compensation Patients
    Illinois Chiropractors Association Seminar | 2018
  • Update and Review of Current Case Law
    Illinois State Bar Association Spring Seminar, Chicago | 2018
  • Pitfalls of Medical Bills
    Illinois Worker’s Compensation Lawyer’s Association Seminar, Oakbrook | 2017
  • What You Need to Understand About the Cornbelt Case
    Workers Compensation Lawyers Association | 2016
  • Fundamentals Of Worker’s Compensation
    Sterling Education Seminars, Naperville | 2016
  • Role Playing Direct and Cross-Examination of Therapist
    ATI Physical Therapy, Bolingbrook Corporate Campus | 2015
  • Worker’s Compensation Law and Practice
    Sterling Education Services, Naperville | 2014
  • Athletico Physical Therapist Seminar, Injury Lawyer’s Perspective
    Hamburger University Oakbrook | 2013
  • What You Need to Know about 2011 Law Changes
    Northwest County Bar Association | 2012
  • Overview of the Work Comp Process
    Chicago Volunteer Legal Services | 2010
  • ATI Physical Therapy, Injury Lawyer’s Perspective
    Bolingbrook Corporate | 2010
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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

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