Ted Gianaris is a dedicated champion for marginalized communities navigating legal challenges within the judicial system. Ted established his own practice after over two decades as a leader at one of the nation’s most prominent injury firms. Through Gianaris Trial Laywers, he relentlessly advocates for marginalized individuals, populations, and communities, striving to make a significant impact in their fight for justice. Serving as the Special Counsel for Access to Justice for his former firm, his commitment to coordinating pro bono efforts ensures that those in need receive the assistance they deserve.
“I believe that legal justice should be available to everyone. This is why I became a trial lawyer who helps individuals and families injured by catastrophic personal injuries, and also why I help communities wrecked by environmental disasters.”
Experienced Trial Lawyer
Ted Gianaris is a skilled trial lawyer who has secured impressive results for his clients. He has served as the lead trial lawyer in numerous cases and achieved settlements totaling hundreds of millions of dollars. Notable results include:
$5.1 million jury verdict on behalf of the family of a Missouri woman who passed away from mesothelioma. She was diagnosed with cancer unexpectedly, and it was later discovered that she had been exposed to asbestos as a toddler when her father brought the dust home on his work clothes.*
$6.8 million for more than 600 Bridgeton, Missouri residents. A class action lawsuit was filed following a 2010 underground fire at the Bridgeton Sanitary Landfill, which led released toxic fumes into nearby neighborhoods. Not only was the class action settled, Ted successfully safeguarded the residents’ ability to sue for future injury claims.
$4.48 million settlement for a class of 183 properties affected by an underground chemical plume of benzene and other toxic compounds from the nearby Wood River Refinery, which had 18 spills in 25 years.
$4.26 million for homeowners affected by pollution from a U.S. Steel-owned steel mill in Granite City, Illinois. Over the years, the mill emitted particles that left a dirty residue on neighbors’ properties, cars, and even inside their homes. Ted alleged U.S. Steel was negligent for failing to contain the emissions that polluted the neighborhood.
Ted Gianaris Brings Access to Justice
Ted is active in Access to Justice initiatives through legal aid for the poor, serves Land of Lincoln Legal Aid as the board of directors president, and is a Special Public Defender going to trial in St. Louis on felony cases. In addition, he organized and spearheaded Second Chance Saturday events with government officials and legal advocacy leaders to seal or expunge hundreds of minor offenses, misdemeanors, and other nonviolent criminal convictions.
“Second Chance Saturday has become an important part of our mission,” Ted said. “People make minor mistakes, but that doesn’t mean those mistakes should keep you from re-entering the workforce and earning a living for your family. Old criminal matters should not keep people from bettering their circumstances. Everyone deserves a second chance, and we are incredibly proud to help provide that.”
Through the program, Ted has helped erase hundreds of old criminal records.
Award-Winning Attorney Ted Gianaris Gives Back
For Ted, lasting change is about more than the important trial work, as he demonstrates with his continued pro bono and volunteer efforts. After representing the family of a college student who died in an off-campus apartment fire, he helped produce a fire-safety video that is now distributed to college campuses across the country. It’s just one example of his commitment to carrying through for the greater good.*
For his public service efforts, Ted was awarded the St. Louis Bar Foundation Spirit of Justice Award in 2016 and the Third Judicial Circuit (Madison County, Illinois) Pro Bono Community Service Award in 2018. Ted has an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell for very high to preeminent legal ability and is an Illinois Super Lawyer.* Ted knows court cases give a powerful voice to marginalized people who need an advocate. Gianaris Trial Lawyers fights for your dignity.
Ted received his J.D. from the Southern Illinois University School of Law, where he worked in a legal clinic representing coal miners in federal Black Lung claims. Before law school, Ted drove a beer truck and was a cub reporter for community newspapers. Ted and Jennifer have been married for over thirty years. Jennifer “pushed him through law school” while working as a nurse at a rural health clinic. Ted and Jennifer had two children during law school. Now they have six.
*Mr. Gianaris handled matters at a previous law firm.
