NIU Law alum Rich Lenkov Named One of "50 Most Influential People in Workers' Compensation"

Rich Lenkov, Northern Illinois University College of Law alum and capital member of Bryce Downey & Lenkov, LLC, was named one of the “50 Most Influential People in Workers’ Compensation” by SEAK, Inc., a continuing education, publishing and consulting company. The national list was assembled with input from thousands of active professionals in the fields of workers’ compensation and occupational medicine.

Lenkov partners closely with a wide range of clients, concentrating in workers’ compensation, general liability, products liability and entertainment law.

In 2008, Lenkov started the National Workers’ Compensation Coalition, a nationwide organization devoted to representing the interests of employers in workers’ compensation matters. The Coalition eventually merged with the Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (CLM). In 2012, he helped form the Greater Chicago Chapter of CLM and currently serves as its president. He is a member of the Risk Insurance Management Society (RIMS), Defense Research Institute, Illinois Manufacturer’s Association and the Illinois Retail Merchants Association.

Lenkov has also been acknowledged by his peers as a Leading Lawyer and has been selected for the Illinois Super Lawyers list (given to no more than 5% of lawyers in Illinois).

In addition to his professional affiliations, Lenkov serves on the Northern Illinois University College of Law Board of Visitors and is chair of the board’s Chicago Connections Committee, which is dedicated to increasing NIU Law’s Chicago presence. Always willing to share his expertise with students regarding legal employment and professionalism, Lenkov serves as a mentor to students and as a guest speaker or panelist for numerous programs. In recognition of his valuable contributions to the College of Law, as well as his efforts in the community, he was honored as NIU Law’s Alumnus of the Year in 2013.

Also active in the community, he serves on the Local School Counsel for Agassiz Elementary School and on the Advisory Board of Legal Prep Charter Academy, Chicago’s only legal-themed charter school which opened in 2012. Lenkov is a member of numerous professional organizations, including the DuPage County and Illinois State Bar Associations, the Illinois Chamber of Commerce and the National Retail & Restaurant Defense Association.

Lenkov has published numerous articles and has conducted nationwide seminars and presentations on Illinois workers’ compensation and employment law. He is affiliated with a number of professional associations and serves as panel chairman for the Cook County Mandatory Arbitration Program.

For more information on Rich Lenkov and Bryce Downey & Lenkov, LLC see www.bdlfirm.com.