Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2011 
Keith A. Hebeisen is a partner at Clifford Law Offices and one of Illinois’ most respected and accomplished medical malpractice attorneys. For over four decades, he has represented individuals and families in complex medical negligence litigation, securing numerous significant and record-setting verdicts and settlements. Although Mr. Hebeisen concentrates his practice on medical malpractice litigation involving physicians, hospitals, and other health care providers, he has represented individuals in a wide variety of cases, including transportation, product liability, and toxic torts.
Mr. Hebeisen is known for his straightforward courtroom style, meticulous case preparation, and command of complex medical and legal issues. He thoroughly investigates and prepares each case, including matters involving multiple defendants and highly technical evidence. Mr. Hebeisen has also handled numerous appeals before the Illinois Appellate Court and Illinois Supreme Court.
Honors and AccoladesA Fellow of both the International Academy of Trial Lawyers and the American College of Trial Lawyers, Mr. Hebeisen has received extensive recognition throughout his career for his work in medical malpractice and personal injury litigation. He has been consistently recognized by Best Lawyers®, Illinois Super Lawyers, Leading Lawyers, and Lawdragon. In 2023, the American Association for Justice presented him with the Richard D. Hailey Distinguished Service Award in recognition of his service to the legal profession.
Notable Verdicts and SettlementsThroughout his career, Mr. Hebeisen has secured numerous significant verdicts and settlements for individuals and families affected by medical negligence, including record-setting recoveries.
In January 2024, Mr. Hebeisen obtained a $15 million settlement on behalf of a baby sustained permanent brain injury from lack of oxygen due to failure to perform a timely cesarean section.
In November 2019, Mr. Hebeisen led a trial team that secured a $100,673,368 medical malpractice verdict, reported at the time as the highest medical malpractice verdict in Illinois.
In 2018, he obtained a $22.9 million settlement on behalf of a child who sustained permanent brain damage due to negligence during delivery.
In 2013, Mr. Hebeisen led a trial team that secured a $15.5 million verdict on behalf of the family of a young mother who died after a cesarean section due to excessive bleeding.
In 2010, he obtained settlements of $12 million and $10 million on behalf of two women who were injured as a result of medical negligence in separate incidents occurring on the same day in the same hospital surgery suite.
Mr. Hebeisen’s influence extends beyond his work on behalf of individual clients. Throughout his career, he has held significant leadership positions within organizations dedicated to the legal profession and the civil justice system. He served as President of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association from 2005 to 2006 and served on its Executive Committee for 25 years. He has also served as Chair of the American Bar Association Standing Committee on Medical Professional Liability and held leadership roles with the American Association for Justice.
An active leader in efforts to preserve the right to trial by jury, Mr. Hebeisen has been an outspoken advocate against caps on damages in the legislature and courts of Illinois. He has written extensively on medical malpractice law and issues affecting the civil justice system.
A longtime author, editor, and legal educator, Mr. Hebeisen served as an editor of the Illinois Bar Journal for two years and has edited ITLA’s Medical Malpractice Trial Notebook since 1992. Drawing on decades of experience in complex medical malpractice litigation, he has lectured and presented at legal seminars nationwide. Mr. Hebeisen has also planned and moderated numerous continuing legal education programs, including the ITLA Medical Malpractice Seminar, an annual program for attorneys practicing in this area of law
