Melanie K. Fairman
PartnerDownload VCard
Local Phone: (312) 781-1977
Fax: (312) 853-2187
Two First National Plaza
20 S Clark St #700
Chicago, Illinois 60603
Melanie K. Fairman is an experienced personal injury attorney who has represented plaintiffs in personal injury and wrongful death actions since 1994. Over the years, she has obtained millions for clients through settlement and trial. A large percentage of her practice involves cases arising from medical malpractice and nursing home negligence, but over the years she has litigated quite a few significant vehicular collision and premises liability cases, including a $3.8 million verdict in a case tried by Melanie and her partner, Steve Seidman, against JW Marriott based on exposing a guest who was an attorney to Legionella bacteria, causing him to suffer permanent neurocognitive deficits. In addition, she has represented women in sexual-abuse cases and has been successful in obtaining recoveries from the employers of the abusers.
Melanie is married with two teenage children and has been a lifelong resident of Chicago and the North Shore suburbs. She is an avid bicyclist and loves to ski and walk her goldendoodle.
Client Approach"I tend to overprepare all of my cases. I leave no stone unturned when investigating all possible avenues of recovery and work hard to maximize all recoveries and minimize risk. I respond to client inquiries as soon as possible and try to keep clients informed about the status of their cases. I understand that representing clients is a privilege as there is a lot of competition out there."
"I hired Melanie Fairman for an injury case. I found her to be professional, knowledgeable and available to all my questions, and was happy with the outcome. I highly recommend her!"
— Toni G. (July 2020)
J.D. cum laude, Loyola University Chicago School of Law, Chicago, Illinois, 1994
Honors: National Mock Trial Team Honors: National Moot Court Semi-Finalist Intra-School Moot Court Competition Loyola University Leadership and Service Award American Jurisprudence Award for Trial Practice/Advocacy American Jurisprudence Award for Appellate Advocacy American Jurisprudence Award for Moot Court American Jurisprudence Award for Legal Clinic
B.A. cum laude, The George Washington University, 1990
Honors: Golden Key Club, a university honor society Honors: Beta Alpha Psi, an accounting honor society Major: Accounting
Supreme Court of Illinois, 1994
U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois, 1995
U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois Trial Bar, 1997
U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit, 1999
U.S. District Court Eastern District of Wisconsin, 2008
U.S. Court of Federal Claims, 2010
Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, Member
Member Since: 1994
Illinois State Bar Association
Member Since: 1994
The Chicago Bar Association
Member Since: 1994
NorthShore Law, President
Chicago Inn of Court
- Illinois Jury Verdict Reporter Award for Highest Reported Verdict or Settlement for Legionnaire’s Disease
- SuperLawyer, 2020 – 2024