Atty. David E. Rapoport

Atty. David E. Rapoport

David E. Rapoport is the founding and managing partner of Rapoport Weisberg & Sims P.C.

Chicago Chicago 45 yrs experience 45 year
Call (312) 445-9160 Book Appointment

Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs Attorney · Serving Chicago, IL · 45+ Years Experience

Profile Summary

About David E. Rapoport at a Glance

David E. Rapoport is a personal injury attorney based in Chicago, Illinois, practicing at Rapoport Sims Perry & VanOverloop PC. They have 45+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1981. Admitted to practice in Illinois (1981) and Wisconsin (1995). Educated at Chicago-Kent College of Law at IIT (J.D., 1981) and Northern Illinois University (BS - Finance on Dean's List, 1978). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice: (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Aviation Law (2026). Serves clients in Chicago, IL and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated October 2026

About David E. Rapoport

  • David E. Rapoport is the founding and managing partner of Rapoport Weisberg & Sims P.C
  • In 42 years as a trial attorney, he has consistently won multimillion-dollar jury verdicts and settlements for people who have been wrongfully injured and the families of people who have been wrongfully killed
  • Recently, David obtained record high jury verdicts and settlements for his clients, including a $ 13.25 medical malpractice jury verdict in 2023, a $6.4 million medical malpractice settlement and a $3 million landmark jury verdict against a pharmaceutical company in a drug induced suicide wrongful death case
  • and over $100 million in settlements during the pandemic
  • His earlier recent results include a $4.3 million jury verdict in a medical malpractice case
  • a $3.4 million jury verdict in a truck/pedestrian collision case
  • a $7.1 million jury verdict in an airplane crash wrongful death case
  • a $6.9 million settlement (while the jury was deliberating) in a semi-tractor-trailer/automobile collision case
  • and a $13 million settlement in a semi-tractor trailer truck crash case
  • David has served as the lead trial or managing attorney in cases resulting in jury verdicts and settlements exceeding $500 million
  • Click here to read more about David's record in court. https://www.rapoportlaw.com/Verdicts-and-Settlements/
  • David represents people harmed in air crashes, semi-truck and motor vehicle collisions, medical malpractice, product liability accidents, recreational and commercial boating accidents, premises liability accidents, work injury and construction accidents
  • He has been appointed by federal judges to serve on plaintiffs' steering committees in 5 different commercial air disaster cases, and he is known nationally for his work representing injured victims and the families of those killed in air disasters
  • As an aviation attorney, David has represented passengers, their families, crew members and their families in commercial air disaster cases and passengers and pilots in general aviation cases
  • He is former Chair of the Chicago Bar Association's Aviation Law Committee
  • By helping people and holding the at fault parties accountable, David helps make the community safer
  • David provides customized services to every client he represents, offering the compassion and skill they need to get just results, while staying as comfortable as possible with the process
  • David is a member of the invitation only American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), an association of premier trial attorneys who are dedicated to preserving the right to trial by jury
  • ABOTA's general mission is "to foster improvement in the ethical and technical standards of practice in the field of advocacy to the end that individual litigants may receive more effective representation and the general public be benefited by more efficient administration of justice consistent with time-tested and traditional principles of litigation
  • Since 1990, David Rapoport has been Board Certified* in Civil Trial Law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy ("NBTA"), the oldest and largest not-for-profit American Bar Association ("ABA") accredited trial attorney certification program
  • Attorneys with NBTA certification have proven specialized abilities through written examinations and meeting rigorous criteria for trial experience and ethical ratings
  • David has proven his currency and substantial trial experience through NBTA recertification in 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015 and 2020
  • David is a leader of the movement to encourage board certification for trial lawyers
  • From August of 2013 to August of 2016, he was the President of the NBTA
  • In addition to being a Past President of this non-profit more than 2,000 member organization, he is a Director, a member of the Executive Committee and the Chair of the Communications Committee
  • David recently explained: "In this era of Wild West style lawyer advertising, it has never been more important for the public to have an easy to use and reliable means of identifying the small fraction of practicing attorneys who truly have substantial experience trying lawsuits
  • Board certification programs help consumers of legal services make more informed choices
  • Too many lawyers are out there claiming they have substantial trial experience, when the truth is they have never or hardly ever tried a case
  • Board certified trial lawyers have proven their substantial trial experience in ways the public can trust
  • David is a Diplomate of the American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys (ABPLA)
  • He is Board Certified* by the ABPLA in in Medical Malpractice and is the only plaintiffs' attorney in Illinois with dual board certification* in Civil Trial Advocacy and Medical Malpractice
  • Like the NBTA, the ABPLA is a non-profit organization accredited by the ABA to issue attorney board certifications
  • Best Lawyers has named David as one of the Best Lawyers in America and Martindale Hubbell has rated David "AV Preeminent", their highest professional rating
  • Moreover, David has been an Illinois Super Lawyer every year since the inception of the Super Lawyer program
  • and rates David "10.0 Superb", their highest attorney rating
  • The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers has awarded David the distinction of being one the the top 100 trial lawyers in Illinois
  • David is a member of the President's Club and Leader's Forum of the American Association for Justice
  • He is also a member of the state trial lawyer associations in Illinois and Wisconsin
  • David is a member of the Chicago Bar Association, and he is one of a handful of trial attorneys selected for membership in the Economic Club of Chicago. * Board certification is not required to practice law in Illinois, and the Illinois Supreme Court does not recognize specialties in the practice of law

Practice Areas

Aviation Construction Injuries Medical Malpractice Motor Vehicle Accidents Personal Injury Product Liability Trucking Accidents Wrongful Death Litigation & Appeals Litigation Percentage: 100% of Practice Devoted to Litigation Publications and Sample Cases: See www.rapoportlaw.com

Practice Areas Explained

David E. Rapoport's Areas of Legal Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases David E. Rapoport handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Chicago.

Personal Injury in Chicago

Personal injury attorneys help accident victims recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain & suffering. Most work on contingency — no fee unless you win.

David E. Rapoport is one of 262,557 personal injury attorneys indexed nationally. Browse personal injury attorneys in Illinois →

Jurisdictional Context

Why Local Counsel Matters in Chicago

Practicing law in Illinois. Legal matters in Illinois are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Chicago are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Illinois state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Illinois brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Illinois courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Chicago Courts and Legal Process

Choosing a Chicago-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.

Looking for additional Illinois attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Chicago or all attorneys in Illinois.

Frequently Asked

Common Questions About David E. Rapoport

Where is David E. Rapoport's law office located?
David E. Rapoport's law practice is located in Chicago, Illinois. The firm is Rapoport Sims Perry & VanOverloop PC. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does David E. Rapoport handle?
David E. Rapoport focuses on personal injury. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in Illinois.
How long has David E. Rapoport practiced law?
David E. Rapoport has 45+ years of legal experience and has been licensed since 1981.
Where did David E. Rapoport go to law school?
David E. Rapoport earned their education at (J.D., 1981); (BS - Finance on Dean's List, 1978).
How can I contact David E. Rapoport for a consultation?
You can contact David E. Rapoport directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has David E. Rapoport received?
David E. Rapoport's notable recognition includes: Best Lawyers in America — Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs; Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice:; Best Lawyers in America — Aviation Law; Best Lawyers in America — Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs; Best Lawyers in America — Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs.

Professional Profile

Why Clients in Chicago Choose David E. Rapoport

Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish David E. Rapoport's practice in the field of personal injury.

Decade-Tested Legal Experience

David E. Rapoport brings 45+ years of hands-on legal practice — enough to have navigated the recurring fact patterns, procedural traps, and negotiation dynamics that shape case outcomes.

Multi-State Bar Admission

Licensed in Illinois and Wisconsin, David E. Rapoport can represent clients in cases that span state lines or require counsel in multiple jurisdictions.

Focused Personal Injury Practice

Concentrating on personal injury means David E. Rapoport's knowledge of relevant statutes, case law, and procedural nuances stays current — unlike generalist practices that spread attention across unrelated fields.

Local Presence in Chicago

A Chicago-based practice means David E. Rapoport attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.

Case Types

Common Legal Issues David E. Rapoport Handles in Chicago

Below is a representative sample of the types of matters David E. Rapoport has experience with under Illinois law. If your situation involves one of these case categories, this attorney may be well positioned to help you understand your options.

Car accident injury claims
Personal Injury
Slip and fall cases
Personal Injury
Wrongful death suits
Personal Injury
Workers' compensation appeals
Personal Injury

This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Contact David E. Rapoport directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.

Search Reference

How People Find David E. Rapoport Online

Prospective clients searching for legal help in Chicago commonly use a combination of the attorney's name and their specific legal need. The following search terms frequently lead people to this profile and to attorneys like David E. Rapoport.

David E. Rapoport attorney David E. Rapoport lawyer David E. Rapoport Chicago David E. Rapoport Illinois David E. Rapoport reviews David E. Rapoport contact Rapoport Sims Perry & VanOverloop PC law firm personal injury attorney in Chicago personal injury lawyer Chicago best personal injury attorney Chicago top rated personal injury lawyer near me personal injury attorney Illinois find a lawyer near me how to hire an attorney

If any of the above matches what you searched for, you've found the right profile. Use the contact options at the top of this page to get in touch with David E. Rapoport directly.

David E. Rapoport's Practice Areas & Specializations

Education & Law School Background

J.D.
Chicago-Kent College of Law at IIT
- 1981
BS - Finance on Dean's List
Northern Illinois University
- 1978

Awards & Professional Honors

Best Lawyers in America — Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Aviation Law
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Personal Injury Litigation
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs
- 2026

Bar Admissions & Licensed Jurisdictions

Illinois
Admitted: 1981
Wisconsin
Admitted: 1995

Client Reviews & Ratings — David E. Rapoport

These reviews belong to platform users; they do not constitute advertisement or promotion for the attorney. Opinions are published for informational purposes only.

No reviews yet.