CHICAGO – Cozen O’Connor attorney Jim Argionis, a member of the firm’s Commercial Litigation practice in Chicago, has been named the 2022 recipient of the Sgt. Karen Lader Memorial Good Citizen Award. The annual award, which recognizes a Maine Township, Illinois resident who has demonstrated strong support and dedication to their community, was presented to Argionis at the Maine Township Annual Meeting in April.

The award honors Karen Lader, a veteran of the Cook County Sheriff’s Police, who lost her battle with cancer in 2010. Deeply involved with Maine Township residents, especially in the Neighborhood Watch Program, she was also active in the National Night Out Against Crime event, Special Olympics, and animal rescue.

Throughout his legal career, Argionis has distinguished himself in community service in Park Ridge and beyond. In 2019, the Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce recognized him with a Community Star award for his exceptional Community involvement.

Greek-American Argionis is Chairman of the Illinois Department of Employment Security Advisory Board, serving in that role by Governor appointment and State Senate confirmation, through four administrations. He has also served as a commissioner of Park Ridge’s Planning and Zoning Commission and has chaired its O’Hare Airport Commission.

“Each year, the Township seeks to keep Karen Lader’s memory alive by recognizing outstanding members of the Maine Township community with the Good Citizen Award,” said Peter Gialamas, Maine Township Clerk. “This year, we are delighted to acknowledge and celebrate Jim’s longtime community involvement in Park Ridge.”

Argionis also has extensive experience and an impressive record of success as a business trial lawyer at Cozen O’Connor. His practice encompasses a wide range of business and commercial litigation disputes, including those related to product defects, breach of contracts, business torts, fraud, defamation, libel, slander, trademark/copyright infringement, unfair competition, partnerships, corporate and limited liability company disputes, professional malpractice, including attorney, accountant, medical, dental, and nursing home defense, civil rights and employment defense, corporate investigations, including criminal matters, and real estate related litigation, including eminent domain.

Argionis has also volunteered his legal and mentoring skills to the Maine South High School Mock Trial Team both in their annual Illinois State competitions and in a national competition and to local Park Ridge school districts 64 and 207, the Park Ridge Police Parent Patrol, the Chicago Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), and the National Immigrant Justice Center.

One of Argionis’ local causes is especially close to home – because it began in his own family. After his wife, Gwen, survived cancer, she and Jim founded Sock’N it to Cancer, a grassroots effort that donates socks to local cancer centers to help with the treatment side effect of cold feet. The Park Ridge community banded around the Argionis family cause and has donated over 10,000 pairs of socks.

Argionis was recently profiled by his Alma mater Loyola University Chicago School of Law, the Chicago Tribune, and by Chicago Lawyer magazine. He received his law degree from Loyola University Chicago School of Law, (JD, 1995) and his undergraduate degree from Loyola University Chicago, (B.A., summa cum laude, 1992).

Argionis is a long-time resident of Park Ridge where he lives with his wife, Gwen, and their three children.

More information is available online: www.cozen.com.