Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2022 
John V. Kalantzis is a complex personal injury attorney whose practice spans aviation law, wrongful death, and serious, multi-jurisdictional injury cases. He represents individuals and families in high-stakes litigation involving corporate negligence and systemic failures, combining strategic advocacy with a thoughtful, client-centered approach to help them navigate life’s most difficult circumstances.
As a member of the firm's nationally recognized aviation practice, John has advocated for survivors and families affected by several of the world's most significant aviation disasters. He served on the team that represented dozens of families in the federal litigation arising from the 2019 crash of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302. He also helped represent four flight attendants in litigation against Boeing after a door plug separated from an Alaska Airlines aircraft during Flight 1282 on January 5, 2024. John is currently involved in litigation stemming from the January 2025 crash of American Eagle Flight 5342 near Washington, D.C., the November 2025 crash of UPS Flight 2976 in Louisville, Kentucky, and the developing litigation related to Air India Flight 171. His work includes navigating the complex jurisdictional, damages, and liability issues unique to international aviation litigation while advocating for accountability on behalf of families affected by catastrophic loss.
Beyond aviation litigation, John has represented clients in wrongful death, motor vehicle collisions, premises liability, and catastrophic injury matters. He also has significant experience implementing alternative dispute resolution in complex cases, helping guide high-stakes claims toward resolution while developing litigation and settlement strategies without compromising accountability. Throughout his practice, he has remained committed to holding negligent corporations and other wrongdoers accountable while pursuing meaningful results.
John's work has earned recognition from leading legal profession organizations. He has been selected to The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 and has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® since 2022 for Aviation Law and Personal Injury Litigation. He shares his knowledge of aviation law through continuing legal education programs, including presentations for the Chicago Bar Association's International CLE Program and the Travel Law Conference in London. He is active in numerous professional organizations, including the American Bar Association and the American Association for Justice. He serves as a member of the Illinois State Bar Association Assembly and the ISBA Tort Law Section Council, as well as the Chicago Bar Association's Judicial Evaluation Committee.
A first-generation Greek American born and raised in Chicago, John maintains strong ties to the city’s Greek American community. Fluent in Greek, he serves on the Board of Trustees of the National Hellenic Museum. In that role, he helps preserve and share Greek history, culture, and the Greek American experience. He also serves on the board of the Chicago Law Museum and participates in the Hellenic Bar Association's mentoring program, supporting the next generation of attorneys. His longstanding commitment to community service reflects the same values of advocacy, integrity, and service that define his legal practice.
