Fra Noi Embrace Your Inner Italian
As an Ironman triathlete and an ultra marathon runner, Karie J. Giganti Valentino brings a unique level of energy and dedication to her practice. At Anderson, Rasor & Partners, LLP, Valentino represents and manages individual and corporate clients in issues ranging from medical malpractice, personal injury, product liability and commercial law.
Valentino attended the University of Iowa before enrolling at the John Marshall Law School. She showed her commitment to her practice early on, completing an externship with the Hon. George M. Marovich of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois during law school. She then gained trial experience working in the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office Misdemeanor Jury Division. There, she used her 711 (internship) license to prosecute bench trials and negotiate plea agreements.
After being admitted to the Illinois Bar, Valentino joined Jesmer & Harris, where she worked as associate in-house counsel, defending personal injury and construction liability cases.
In 1999, Valentino went to work for Bollinger, Ruberry & Garvey, where she became a litigation partner after four and a half years. There, she handled matters involving medical malpractice, product liability, premises liability, personal injury, and commercial law — always focusing on protecting the rights of injury victims.
In 2008, she moved to Anderson Rasor & Partners as a partner and her success as litigator has followed her there are well. She already has achieved significant results for clients at her new firm. In addition to her work in the courtroom, Valentino has conducted presentations for physicians and nurses at numerous hospitals and medical facilities. Valentino is a member of the Society of Trial Lawyers and she is an officer for The John Marshall Law School Alumni Association. She also serves as an officer for the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois.
Michael Favia, the president-elect of the JMLS Alumni Association Board of Directors and a member of its Board of Trustees, says of Valentino: “Karie and I work together as officers on The John Marshall Law School Alumni Board. She is a dedicated member who has been instrumental in the many activities of the Board including the recognizing and promoting of successful and distinguished John Marshall Alumni and Judges and in her involvement in giving back to the community. On a professional level, I have had the opportunity to work with numerous medical and health related professionals over the years and can relate from my interaction with mutual clients and colleagues that Karie is considered a rising star in the medical malpractice defense counsel field in Chicago. Karie is known as an attorney who can be counted on to provide the very best representation to all her clients.”
Joseph W. Balesteri, a prominent and respected attorney in his own right, says, “Karie’s legal success stems from an extreme internal drive possessed by few. Her skills have been developed through many years of hard work and Bollinger, Ruberry, & Garvey conferred upon her the honor of partnership as she achieved success early and repeatedly in her career, the right way. She was brought on as a partner at Anderson Rasor, a firm comprised of the finest medical malpractice lawyers found anywhere in our state, and where she has significant responsibilities. She treats Plaintiffs, Plaintiffs’ lawyers, her colleagues on the defense side, and the witnesses in legal matters honestly, compassionately, and fairly; yet, she is zealously protective of her clients’ rights. As a mother of two (and a great one) and an extreme sport athlete, the balance she has found in life is amazing and possibly unparalleled. Her attitude in life should be a model for all of us. I’m glad you are able to introduce her to our Italian community. She is special!”
Karie traces her Italian ancestry to her father’s side of the family. Her great-grandparents were from Montevago, Sicily, and they i,migrated to the United States around the turn of the 20th century. Her great-grandmother Euphrasia was a seamstress who came through Ellis Island. Here grand-grandfather Giuseppe immigrated to New Orleans with his family. Both of their families moved to Springfield, Ill., because of the coal mining industry. They met in Springfield and married in 1906.
Valentino joins many other Italian American attorneys so recognized over the years, including the Gamraths (both Celia and Rob), Franco Coladipietro, Gregory Conforti, Anthony Masciopinto, David Bonoma, Colleen Scimeca, Anita Ventrelli, John M. Spesia, Katherine Amari O’Dell, John Storino, Kenneth C. Apicella, Peter M. Spingola, Michael Bonamarte, Christopher Carani, Claudia Gallo and Patrick Salvi.
