Yao O. Dinizulu Chicago, Illinois
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Mr. Dinizulu was born in Washington D.C., and after graduating from high school in Queens, New York, Mr. Dinizulu attended Florida A& M University in Tallahassee, Florida, where he graduated magna cum laude. While at Florida A&M University, Mr. Dinizulu was a member of Who's Who Among American Colleges and Universities; the National Dean's List, the Golden Key National Honor Society, Founder of the Collegiate Democratic Caucus of Florida, Student Government Association Student Senate, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated, and proud African American campus spokesperson for the Television and Radio broadcast of the NAACP Speaks.
After graduating from Florida A&M University, Mr. Dinizulu attended the University of Illinois College of Law where he received his Juris Doctorate degree in 1997. While at the University of Illinois, Mr. Dinizulu served on the University of Illinois Student Bar Association and the Executive Board for the National Black Law Student Association. During his tenure at the College of Law, Mr. Dinizulu was awarded the prestigious James Benton Parsons Scholarship from the Just Beginning Foundation and the National Bar Association's Judicial Council for Public Service and Academic Achievement.
After graduating from law school, Mr. Dinizulu began his professional career, handling multi-billion dollar complex tax restructurings, with Price Waterhouse, LLP which later merged with Coopers & Lybrand to become PricewaterhouseCoopers.
In May 2000, Mr. Dinizulu, acting as a founding partner, formed Harris, Mitchell & Dinizulu, LLC. In January 2008, Mr. Dinizulu formed the Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd., focusing the practice primarily on injury/tort litigation and commercial litigation. As an African American Lawyer, he has also been recognized both locally and nationally, for work relating to advancing civil rights causes and championing social issues. With a concentration in litigation, Mr. Dinizulu is an innovator, always seeking to use cutting-edge technology in his practice to ensure that he achieves the greatest results for his clients. Mr. Dinizulu has represented a diverse client base not limited to: wards of the state of Illinois, physicians and lawyers, to business owners and condominium associations. Mr. Dinizulu has also represented individuals and corporations in many tort actions ranging from sodomy and trucking/motor vehicle accidents, to wrongful deaths and nursing home negligence. Although the Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. serves clients located primarily within the Cook and neighboring counties, Mr. Dinizulu operates a regional practice becoming one of Chicago's most prominent black lawyers. As an attorney, Mr. Dinizulu's motto is to, "never let an opponent out work me"
Demonstrating his compassion for his community, Mr. Dinizulu is actively engaged in numerous community activities involving civic and faith-based organizations. As an African American Lawyer, Mr. Dinizulu frequently makes several public appearances to address issues specifically affecting the African American community.
Hobbies & Other Interests
Mr. Dinizulu enjoys traveling, the theatre, fine dining and spending time with his loved ones.
- Education:
- University of Illinois College of Law, Champaign, Illinois,
1997
J.D. - Florida A&M University,
1994
B.S.
Honors: Magna Cum Laude
- Representative Cases:
- Doe v. Municipality $3,000,000
- Marshay Johnson v. Advocate Health & Hospitals Corp., Case No. 06 l 1924
- Lynnette Williams v. Bodine Electric Co., Case No. 02 L 008231 $1,779,349
- Eugene Taylor et al v. Total Facility Maintenance Inc., Case No.05 L 4681 $1,000,000
- The Estate of Doe v. ABC Agency, Case No. 02 L 003106 $725,000
- The Estate of Williams Wilson v. Wilson Care Inc., Case No. 01 L 001162 $700,000
- Classes/Seminars Taught:
- The Role of the ARDC Hearing Officer, John Marshall Law School
- Protecting Your Loved Ones in Nursing Homes, ABJ Services, August 19, 2006
- Introduction to Nursing Home Abuse, Cook County Bar Association, April 24, 2007
- Professional Associations and Memberships:
- United Fire Protection Partners, LLC
- Board of Directors
- Supreme Court of Illinois, Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission
- Hearing Board Member
- American Bar Association, General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Division
- Member
- American Bar Association, Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section
- Member
- American Bar Association, Law Practice Management Section
- Member
- American Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division
- Member
- Cook County Bar Association
- Member
- Cook County Bar Association
- Former Vice-Chair, Judicial Evaluations Committee
- Cook County Bar Association
- Co-Chair, Tort Litigation Committee
- Cook County Bar Association
- Former Member, YLS Committee
- Chicago Bar Association, Tort Litigation Section
- Member
- Chicago Bar Association, Minorities in the Profession
- Member
- Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
- Member, Civil Practice & Rules Committee
- Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
- Member, Civil Rights & Criminal Law Committee
- Illinois State Bar Association
- Member
- Florida A&M University National Alumni Association, Chicago Chapter
- Past President
- Florida A&M University National Alumni Association
- Past Midwest Regional Officer
- Florida A&M University National Alumni Association
- Midwest Regional Vice President
- Bethel New Life
- Former Member, Board of Directors
- Universal Fire Protection
- Board of Director
- Dr. Edward Alexander Bouchet Math & Science Academy
- Academy, Local School Council Member, Former Community Representative
- HBCU College Consortium
- Former Member Representative
- Pro Bono Activities:
- Volunteer, Obama for Illinois
- Panelist, Exhale Talk Show
- Board Member, Citizens for a New Horizon
- Former Member, Citizens for a New Horizon


