Contact Mike
1301 W 22nd St, Suite 711, Oak Brook, IL 60523
Michael Agruss
Managing Partner
Education
- University of California, Santa Barbara: Bachelor of Arts in Law and Society, 1999
- University of Illinois Chicago School of Law: Juris Doctor, 2004
- UIC John Marshall Journal of Information Technology & Privacy Law: Member and Executive Editor, 2002-2004
Featured on
- Lifeblood Podcast: Consumer Rights with Mike Agruss (also on Money Alignment Academy)
- VSAM 1040 Chicago
- The Capitol Forum
- RiverheadLOCAL
Expertise
Personal injury: car accidents, truck accidents, bicycle accidents, motorcycle accidents, dog bites, slip/trip and fall.
Awards
- Throughout my career, both individually and through my law firm, I have settled over 8000+ consumer rights cases.
- Our unique approach has earned us 1,375 outstanding client reviews, over 575 five-star reviews on Google, and an A+ BBB rating.
- Super Lawyers: Selected to Rising Stars: 2016 – 2017
- Super Lawyers: Selected to Super Lawyers: 2019 – 2023
- Multi-Million-Dollar Advocates
I wanted to be a lawyer since I could walk. I grew up in a very toxic household. My parents had a brutal divorce that lasted 20+ years. I was always put in the middle and never had control of the situation. I know firsthand what it’s like to not be in control in a highly stressful situation. This is the exact situation our clients are in when they come to Mike Agruss Law. Whether it’s an injury case or a consumer rights case, our clients are in a stressful situation with little control. For example, the insurance companies that are supposed to protect our clients in an injury case often turn their back and do not do the right things. I take my first-hand experience growing up, give my clients a voice, and immediately turn the tables to give control back to my clients. There was never a question in my mind that I would go to law school and practice law. I also always knew I would represent individual clients and not companies, businesses, or insurance companies. I am wired to be a plaintiff’s lawyer. I always say you are either a plaintiff’s lawyer or you are not. I am 100% a plaintiff’s lawyer. I love what we do for our clients. My experiences as a child drives me to wake up every day wanting to help our clients. It’s in my DNA.
Practice Areas
I am the founding attorney of Mike Agruss Law, established in March 2012. I am the firm’s managing attorney. Mike Agruss Law, handles consumer rights and personal injury cases.
I have devoted my practice to consumer litigation and personal injury litigation. Regarding my consumer litigation practice, I primarily help people with debt collection harassment, robocalls, and credit report problems.
Experience
- Throughout my career, both individually and through my law firm, I have settled over 8000 consumer rights cases.
- Since 2004, I have tried eight jury trials to verdict, one bench trial to verdict, and have successfully arbitrated, mediated, and pretried dozens of cases.
- I have been awarded an hourly rate of $290.00 per hour in the following FDCPA cases:
- Joel Cabrera v. Bay Area Credit Services, Northern District of California, 08-cv-03761 (June 10, 2009).
- Don Edwards v. Midpoint Resolutions Group, Central District of California, 09-cv-3007 (November 24, 2009).
- Rosita Moncada v. Simons Chase & Associates, LLC, Central District of California, 09-cv-8416 (June 16, 2010).
- Carlos Rafanan v. Focus Receivables Management, LLC, Eastern District of California, 09-cv-02715 (July 26, 2010).
- Patricia Rivera v. National Check Processing, LLC, Western District of Texas, 5:10-cv-605 (March 17, 2011).
- John Swygert v. A&S Collection Associates, Inc., District Court of Arizona, 2:10-cv-00042 (May 16, 2011).
- James Merrick v. Michael J. Scott, P.C., Northern District Texas, 3:10-cv-2171 (May 20, 2011).
- James Merrick v. Michael J. Scott, P.C., Northern District Texas, 3:10-CV-2536-M-BK (June 22, 2011).
- Guillermo Villavicencio v. Legal Recovery Law Offices, Central District of California, 2:10-cv-09637 (August 1, 2011).
- Kimberly Wilkinson v. I.C. System, Inc., District Court of Kansas, 2:09-CV-02456 (November 1, 2011).
- Billy Vaughn v. Robert James & Associates, Southern District of Texas, 4:11-cv-01819 (December 9, 2011).
- Jennifer Armstrong v. Receivables Performance Management, LLC., Southern District of Ohio, 2:11-cv-387 (February 8, 2012).
- John Ledesma v. The Brachfeld Law Group, PC, Southern District of California, 3:10-cv-2674 (March 20, 2012).
- I have been awarded an hourly rate of $300.00 per hour in the following FDCPA cases:
- Susan Pompeo v. Cherry Creek Strategic Advisors, LLC., Western District of Pennsylvania, 2:14-cv-668 (October 17, 2014).
- Kevin Rogers v. Summit Receivables, Western District of Virginia, 3:17-cv-00069 (March 5, 2018).
- Ernestine Alston v. Summit Receivables, Middle District of Florida, 6:17-cv-01723 (July 17, 2018).
- Jannette Ruiz v. Integrity Recovery Management, LLC, Southern District of Texas, 5:19-cv-00052 (December 6, 2019).
- Sandra Jung v. Accredited Management Solutions, LLC, Southern District of Texas, 4:20-cv-00487 (August 6, 2020).
- Kristen Vieira v. New Era Asset Management, LLC, District of Massachusetts, 1:20-cv-10725 (October 9, 2020).
- I have been awarded an hourly rate of $325.00 per hour in the following FDCPA case:
- Mark Murphy v. Ability Recovery Services, LLC, Western District of Pennsylvania, 1:18-cv-00327 (August 7, 2019).
- I have been awarded an hourly rate of $350.00 per hour in the following FDCPA cases:
- Matthew Leavitt v. Summit Receivables, District of Nebraska, 8:17-cv-00334 (April 5, 2018).
- Laura Nordyke and Bonnie Nordyke v. Summit Receivables, Eastern District of California, 2:17-cv-01705 (July 17, 2018).
- Silva, Javier D. v. GMA Investments, LLC, d/b/a Summit Receivables, a Nevada Corporation, and Anthony Guadagna, Individually, Western District of Missouri, 18-00040-cv-w-hfs (July 30, 2018).
- I have been awarded an hourly rate of $351.00 per hour in the following FDCPA case:
- Jill Hanson v. Green Square Company, LLC, Eastern District of Wisconsin, 1:20-cv-01249 (January 28, 2022).
- I have been awarded an hourly rate of $367.00 per hour in the following FDCPA case:
- Ericka Blair v. Green Square Company, LLC and Joey M. Younger, Southern District of Indiana, 1:20-cv-00888 (November 20, 2020).
- I have been awarded an hourly rate of $377.00 per hour in the following FDCPA case:
- Robert Andrews v. Berkeley & Wright CRG, LLC, Eastern District of Missouri, 4:19-cv-01855 (October 24, 2019).
- I have been awarded an hourly rate of $388.00 per hour in the following FDCPA cases:
- Genie Southerland v. Swiftfunds Financial Services, LLC, District of Maryland, 1:20-cv-00755-CCB (September 15, 2020).
- I have been awarded an hourly rate of $390.00 per hour in the following FDCPA case:
- Jacob Brown v. Kahl, Heidenreich and Nemmer, LLC, et al., Northern District of Texas, 6:19-cv-023-C (July 19, 2019).
- I have been awarded an hourly rate of $392.00 per hour in the following FDCPA case:
- Denise R. Vasta v. Revenue Management Group, LLC, Middle District of Florida, 8:19-cv-00864 (February 26, 2020).
- I have been awarded an hourly rate of $400.00 per hour in the following FDCPA and FCRA cases:
- Michelle Gray v. Applied Business Services, Inc., d/b/a Security Collection Agency, Northern District of Georgia, 1:17-cv-02370 (April 11, 2018). (FDCPA and FCRA).
- Jack Howard v. Summit Receivables, Western District of Louisiana, 5:17-cv-01293 (July 17, 2018). (FDCPA).
- Amanda Way v. MNS & Associates LLC, Middle District of Pennsylvania, 4:20-cv-00305 (October 29, 2020). (FDCPA).
- I have been awarded an hourly rate of $412.00 per hour in the following FDCPA case:
- Kelly Beck v. Jerry Verhagen, doing business as Hamlin Ross & Associates, Western District of Michigan, 1:21-cv-00300 (June 29, 2021).
- I have been awarded an hourly rate of $415.00 per hour in the following FDCPA case:
- Jeffrey Larr v. Nationwide Capital Services, LLC d/b/a Structured Settlement and Global Trust Management, LLC, Western District of Michigan, 1:20-cv-00235 (May 26, 2020).
- I have been awarded an hourly rate of $425.00 per hour in the following FDCPA cases:
- Christy Greene v. The Rosenberg Group, LLC, Central District of California, 5:19-cv-1145 (March 6, 2020).
- Jennifer McElhenie v. Go To DRA, LLC, et al., Eastern District of California, 5 2:20-cv-02247-MCE-DMC (August 17, 2022).
- I have been awarded an hourly rate of $450.00 per hour in the following FDCPA case:
- Deanna Kraus v. Capital Link Management, LLC, Central District of California, 2:22-cv-01086-MEMF-SK (Oct. 28, 2022).
- Taylor Stewart v. MNS & Associates, LLC, et al., Eastern District of California, 2:21-cv-02418-WBS-AC (Oct. 5, 2022).
- Alice Utter v. Keystone Wealth Management Group, LLC, et al., Central District of California, 2:21-cv-01527-RGK-JPR (Jan. 18, 2022).
- John Youngblood v. GMA Investments, LLC d/b/a Summit Receivables, Western District of Texas, 1:19-cv-452 (Aug. 20, 2019).
Admissions (State and Federal)
I am an attorney licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois since 2004, and in the State of California since 2008. I have been continuously licensed in Illinois since 2004, and in California since 2008. I am admitted to practice in all state courts in Illinois and in California. My Illinois Bar Number is 6281600, and my California Bar Number is 259567. In 2006, I was admitted to the Federal Trial Bar in the Northern District of Illinois. Additionally, I was admitted to practice in the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit on February 17, 2017.
I am also admitted in the following District Courts:
Illinois
- Northern District of Illinois: admitted on May 6, 2004.
- Northern District of Illinois, Trial Bar: admitted in February 2006.
- Central District of Illinois: admitted on February 9, 2010.
- Southern District of Illinois: admitted on February 1, 2010.
California
- Northern District of California: admitted on January 9, 2009.
- Southern District of California: admitted on December 17, 2008.
- Eastern District of California: admitted on December 16, 2008.
- Central District of California: admitted on December 16, 2008.
Tennessee
- Western District of Tennessee: admitted on October 06, 2020.
Texas
- Northern District of Texas: admitted on January 25, 2010.
- Southern District of Texas: admitted on February 26, 2010.
- Eastern District of Texas: admitted on January 11, 2010.
- Western District of Texas: admitted on March 3, 2010.
Oklahoma
- Western District of Oklahoma: admitted on November 1, 2010.
- Northern District of Oklahoma: admitted on December 18, 2017.
- Eastern District of Oklahoma: admitted on April 14, 2022.
Missouri
- Eastern District of Missouri: admitted on September 22, 2020.
Nebraska
- District Court of Nebraska: admitted on January 5, 2010.
New York
- Western District of New York: admitted on November 06, 2019.
Colorado
- District Court of Colorado: admitted on January 8, 2010.
North Dakota
- District Court of North Dakota: admitted on January 27, 2010.
Wisconsin
- Eastern District of Wisconsin: admitted on January 28, 2010.
- Western District of Wisconsin: admitted on January 25, 2010.
Indiana
- Northern District of Indiana: admitted on February 9, 2010.
- Southern District of Indiana: admitted on March 11, 2010.
Michigan
- Eastern District of Michigan: admitted on March 9, 2010.
- Western District of Michigan: admitted on February 26, 2010.
Arkansas
- Eastern District of Arkansas: admitted on March 22, 2010.
- Western District of Arkansas: admitted on March 22, 2010.
Area of Expertise
- Personal injury: car accidents, truck accidents, rideshare accidents (Uber or Lyft), dog bites, bicycle accidents, motorcycle accidents, nursing home abuse or neglect, slip-and-fall accidents, or any other type of injury.
- Consumer rights: We help consumers with debt collection harassment, credit report problems, and deceptive businesses. Our consumer rights practice is national. Our consumer rights practice is based on state and federal laws that have fee-shift provisions. That means, our fees and costs are shifting to the other side (the defendant or company we are suing). In short, our clients never pay us a penny to handle their consumer rights case. Throughout my career, both individually and through my law firm, I have settled over 8000+ consumer rights cases. Our consumer rights practice is a niche practice. There are likely less than 10 law firms in the country that help as many people as we do with FDCPA (debt collection harassment) and FCRA (credit report errors) cases.
Charity Work
- On July 12, 2022, we volunteered at the Cradles to Crayons Chicago Giving Factory. Jim, Taylor, Mike Bertucci, Jacki, and I helped sort and organize clothes for children from birth through age 12.
- On August 9, 2022, we did a backpack giveaway at Margaret Mead Junior High School. We are giving away 100 backpacks with supplies and water bottles to students to make sure their school year starts off on the right foot.
- August 18, 2022, we hosted out First Annual Charity Golf Outing that raised $10,000.00 for Cradles to Crayons.
- December 14, 2022, we sponsored the Giving Tree holiday event for some students at Mead Junior High. The event included sponsoring several families with Christmas gifts, food, and free advice.
Trial Experience
John Doe v. GL Recovery Group
Practice Area: Debt collection harassment
Date: Feb 25, 2010
Outcome: After a two-day jury trial in which Plaintiff, Plaintiff’s Mother, Defendant’s owner, and Defendant’s debt collector testified, the jury returned a defense verdict.
Description: Mike Agruss represented Plaintiff. Plaintiff brought this lawsuit against Defendant, alleging Defendant used abusive, unfair, and deceptive practices while attempting to collect a consumer debt. Count I of Plaintiff’s Complaint alleged violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 U.S.C. 1692 et seq. Count II of Plaintiff’s Complaint alleged violations of the California Rosenthal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Cal. Civ. Code §1788 et seq.
Lisa Edmunds v. Robert D’Adam
Practice Area: Personal injury—car accident
Date: Aug 10, 2006
Outcome: After a two-trial, the jury returned a verdict for the defense.
Description: Mike Agruss represented Plaintiff. On October 26, 2003, Plaintiff was driving northbound on Harlem Avenue in Chicago Ridge when she slowed down to read the street name at 99th Street and was rear-ended by Defendant’s vehicle. Plaintiff sustained TMJ syndrome, neck pain, and migraine headaches. Defense for Defendant truck driver contended Plaintiff came to a sudden stop at a green light, she appeared to be attempting an illegal U-turn, and Defendant could not stop his car in time to avoid the impact.
Kymberlie Lobacz v. James Cummings
Practice Area: Personal injury—car accident
Date: Mar 08, 2006
Outcome: After a one-day trial, the jury returned a verdict for the defense.
Description: Mike Agruss represented Plaintiff in a rear-end car accident.
Alma Morgan v. City of Chicago
Practice Area: Personal injury—trip and fall
Date: Oct 21, 2005
Outcome: After a four-day trial, the jury returned a defense verdict after determining: (1) the sidewalk did not present an unreasonable risk; (2) the City did not know or should have known of the condition; and (3) Plaintiff was more than 50% at fault.
Description: Mike Agruss represented Plaintiff. On August 6, 2003, Plaintiff was on her way to the beauty shop when she tripped-and-fell on a defective sidewalk at 450 East 61st Street, sustaining a nondisplaced three-part proximal humerus fracture in her left arm. The defense contended the condition was open and obvious and the City had no notice.
Peter Maxwell v. Marius Nekrosius and the Estate of Valerie Bonolo
Practice Area: Personal injury—car accident
Date: Sep 22, 2005
Outcome: After a three-day trial in which the jury heard testimony from Plaintiff, Plaintiff’s wife, Plaintiff’s chiropractor, and Defendant’s expert, the jury returned a defense verdict for both Defendants.
Description: Mike Agruss represented Plaintiff. On September 25, 2001, Plaintiff was a passenger in a cab driven by Defendant, Nekrosius, traveling southbound on Spring Road in Oak Brook. Nekrosius was changing lanes and accelerating when a northbound car driven by Defendant, Bonolo, made a left turn at Commerce Drive in front of the cab, causing a collision in the intersection. Plaintiff, a car dealership manger, claimed the impact caused soft tissue injuries to his neck/back, nose, and right leg, with cervical whiplash syndrome and headaches. Bonolo died of unrelated causes several months after the accident, and the Dead Man’s Act applied. However, Bonolo had plead guilty to the moving violation ticket for failure to yield, which was allowed into evidence. Defense for Nekrosius contended that he had a solid green light, and therefore, had the right of way. Defense for both drivers contended Plaintiff was not injured or not injured to the extent claimed.
Richard Rategan, Minor v. Maria Barrazza
Practice Area: Personal injury—bicycle accident
Date: Aug 05, 2005
Outcome: After a three-day trial, the jury returned a verdict of $3,135.00, after 50% off of $6,270.00, due to Plaintiff’s 50% fault.
Description: Mike Agruss represented Plaintiff. On September 5, 2002, Plaintiff, 10-years-old, on a bicycle was struck by Defendant’s vehicle in a McDonald’s parking lot at 1933 N. Harlem, resulting in a keloid scar on his left foot. At the time of impact, Defendant, factory worker, had turned to look over her shoulder at her yelling child. Defense contended Plaintiff ran into the side of Defendant’s truck.
Carl Crenetz v. Raymond Rybka
Practice Area: Personal injury—car accident
Date: May 11, 2005
Outcome: After a one-day trial, the jury returned a verdict on behalf of Plaintiff.
Description: Mike Agruss represented Plaintiff in a rear-end auto accident.
Eva Marsalkova v. Chicago Transit Authority and Ishmael Adams
Practice Area: Personal injury—bicycle accident
Date: Jul 19, 2004
Outcome: After a five-day trial, the jury returned a $264,131.00 verdict in favor of Plaintiff.
Description: Mike Agruss represented Plaintiff. On November 18, 1999, Plaintiff, who had recently arrived in the United States from the Czech Republic, was riding a bicycle to work as a housekeeper for Mighty Maids. Plaintiff claimed she was traveling eastbound on Diversey just past the intersection of Pulaski when her bike was struck from behind by a CTA bus driven by Defendant, Adams. Plaintiff was knocked off of her bike, after which both the front and rear passenger side tires of the bus ran over her bicycle, and the bus’s front passenger side tire ran over Plaintiff’s right leg. Plaintiff sustained a Grade III open communicated fracture of the right tibia, requiring external fixation with a later bone graft, resulting in a 1.25-inch leg length discrepancy. Defense denied Plaintiff was riding eastbound. Another CTA driver of a northbound bus stopped at the intersection testified that Plaintiff was riding northbound on the sidewalk on the east side of Pulaski and that Plaintiff rode into the side of the bus while it was stopped to pick up passengers. Defense argued there was no physical evidence of damage to the rear of the bicycle, or injury to Plaintiff’s helmetless head, to support her contention of a rear-end impact. The CTA failed to produce 3 completed courtesy cards from the occurrence witnesses and the trial judge gave the 5.01 instruction. Defense also disputed the extent of Plaintiff’s injuries, and contended Plaintiff’s surgeon found no leg length discrepancy 17 months postoperative. Defense also argued that Plaintiff only had residual discomfort, and at trial, Defendant showed a video of Plaintiff rollerblading in a park.