Conrad C. Nowak

Conrad C. Nowak joined Corboy & Demetrio in 2023, bringing with him more than 18 years of defense experience in the areas of personal injury, product liability, toxic tort, construction, aviation, and commercial litigation.

Conrad, a former partner at a national law firm, also has extensive experience representing individuals and businesses in a variety of practice areas and has served as lead litigation counsel for several large construction companies in their project-related claims.

In 2023, Conrad received The Decalogue Society of Lawyers’ Award of Excellence.  He received the Illinois Lawyers Assistance Program Carl H. Rolewick Award in 2022.

Crain’s Chicago Business selected Conrad to its 2020 “Notable Veteran Executives” for  his commitment to clients and the veteran community.

Conrad is a U.S. Veteran and served as a non-commissioned officer in the United States Army, beginning his service with the 13th Infantry Regiment and later with the 3rd BN, Military Intelligence Detachment, 12th Special Forces Group (ABN).

Conrad graduated from DePaul University, with honors, obtaining a B.A. in History in 1998.  He obtained a J.D. from Loyola University Chicago School of Law in 2002 and served as Features Editor of The Loyola University Forum of International Law and as Assistant Features Editor of The Public Interest law Reporter.

After graduating law school, Conrad completed judicial clerkships for the Honorable William D. Maddux, Presiding Judge of the Law Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County, and the Honorable Sharon Johnson Coleman.

As a law student, Conrad served in two prestigious internships, with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Illinois and with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Chicago District Office.

While an undergraduate student at DePaul University, Conrad was a starter on the Division I Men's Varsity Tennis Team and competed on the ATP Professional Tour, where he obtained a world ranking.

Conrad is a renowned advocate regarding veterans' mental health, suicide awareness, and suicide prevention, and is a member of the Lawyers’ Assistance Program of Illinois, where he has both authored articles and spoken on mental health issues.

Conrad is committed to various charitable causes and non-profits that help others locally and abroad.  Conrad is a past Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Polish American Association, a past Chairman of the Board of Directors of Field Ready, and a Board Member of RedR U.S., the latter two organizations focusing on international humanitarian relief. He also currently serves as the Co-Chair of the Warsaw Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International.

He speaks Polish fluently and is familiar with Serbo-Croatian.

Conrad is admitted to the Illinois State Bar, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, and U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces.

Honors

Award of Excellence, The Decalogue Society of Lawyers, 2023

Carl H. Rolewick Award, Illinois Lawyers Assistance Program, 2022

"Notable Veteran Executives," Crain's Chicago Business, 2020

"40 Illinois Attorneys Under Forty to Watch," Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and Chicago Lawyer Magazine, 2012

Rising Stars, Illinois Super Lawyers, 2009 – 2010

Illinois Leading Lawyers in the areas of Personal Injury Defense Law - General and Products Liability Defense Law, 2013-present

Professional Affiliations

Illinois Leading Lawyers, 2013 - present

Lawyers' Assistance Program of Illinois - present

Community Involvement

City of Chicago Mayoral Engagement Council, Polish Americans Member for Mayor Emanuel, Mayor Lightfoot and Mayor Johnson

Field Ready, Chairman, Board of Directors, 2017-2022; Board Member, 2023

Polish American Association, Chairman, Board of Directors, 2010-2013; Board Member, 2006-2018 

RedR U.S., Board Member, 2023

Special Forces Association, Chapter 37, Associate Member

Warsaw Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International, Co-chair, 2018--present; Board Member, 2006-2018

Practice Areas

Speaking Engagements and Presentations

"Legal Proceedings in a Virtual World: Hearings, Depositions and Trials in the Age of COVID-19," Illinois Human Rights Commission's Lunch & Learn CLE, Virtual Event, July 21, 2020

"Closing Arguments," CBA's Trial Practice Seminar, Chicago, Illinois, October 11, 2018

"Into the Hornet's Nest: Election Interference, Foreign Agents Registration Act, and the Special Counsel's Indictments," Cook County Lunch & Learn CLE, Chicago, Illinois, August 29, 2018

"Is Your Law Practice Battle Ready? Applying Military Lessons in Leadership, Task Management, and Performance to the Practice of Law," Cook County Seminar, Chicago, Illinois, February 20, 2018

"Cross Examination," CBA's Trial Practice Seminar, Chicago, Illinois, 2017

"Direct Examinations," CBA's Trial Practice Seminar, Chicago, Illinois, 2016

"Legal Issues in the Security Services Arena," Honeywell Connect International Security Conference, Hollywood, Florida, November 12, 2016

"A Penny for Your Thoughts When Millions Matter: The Use of Focus Groups and Mock Trials," Lunch & Learn CLE, Chicago, Illinois, 2015

"Let the Questioning Begin: New Illinois Supreme Court Rule 243 Permits Jurors to Question Trial Witnesses," Lunch & Learn CLE, Chicago, Illinois, 2012

"Electronic Discovery," National Council on Investigation & Security Services (NCISS) Annual Conference, Chicago, Illinois

Education

Loyola University Chicago School of Law, J.D., 2002

DePaul University, B.A., with honors, History, 1998

Languages

• Fluent in Polish. 

Bar & Court Admissions

• State Bar of Illinois
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces
• U.S. District Court for the Northern Districct of Illnois