Vivian began her professional career as a Registered Nurse.  She received specialized training and worked as a critical nurse at some of Chicago’s most prestigious University Hospitals.  Vivian’s nursing skills landed her in high acuity areas – Medical Intensive Care, Surgical Intensive Care, Neuro Intensive Care, Cardiac Care Unit, Surgical Heart Unit (Open Heart), surgery, emergency room and trauma. Her skill set is very unique. There are only a handful of nurse-attorneys and even fewer critical care nurse-attorneys in Chicago. Vivian is one of them!

After years of advocating for her patients, Vivian developed a burning desire to advocate on behalf victims.  As a single mother of three, she returned to school.  Vivian worked full time during the day and attended John Marshall Law School at night.  During law school, she worked as a nurse and as a law clerk for the Honorable Justice Nathaniel Howse, Jr. and the Honorable Judge Samuel J. Betar, III. After graduating from law school, Vivian hit the ground running and has not stopped.

In the practice of law, she put into action her knowledge of both the legal and medical fields. Vivian’s attention is focused on helping victims find the truth of what occurred and in obtaining recovery to help pay for a life that may be changed forever. Clients are at ease in her presence, just as patients were years ago.

Vivian is the founding member and Managing Partner of AMB Law Group. Prior to AMB Law Group, Vivian practiced on both sides of the aisle, plaintiff and defense.  Vivian’s outstanding skill set as critical care nurse, plaintiff and defense experiences contributed to her quickly being named partner.

As a trial attorney, Vivian’s experience on both sides of the aisle earned the respect of her colleagues and peers.  As an attorney for plaintiffs, she worked on cases and represented: the families of babies injured at birth; the estates of children who died after medical and dental procedures; the families of people who died after undergoing robotic surgical procedures; mothers with complicated injuries sustained during childbirth; men and women who developed flesh eating diseases after surgical procedures; and patients who had the wrong body parts operated on and/or removed.  Vivian tried cases to verdict when fair and just settlements were not offered.

Most recently, as lead attorney, Vivian obtained a favorable outcome for a young mother whose son was killed as a result of an automobile accident.  Vivian negotiated for and received the maximum amount allowable under the policy for the family.  As lead attorney in another wrongful death action, Vivian obtained a favorable outcome for the family of a nursing home resident who died as a result of neglect. Vivian, served as one of the lead attorneys in a police involved shooting case settling in the millions. Vivian has been busy.

As a forward thinker, Vivian knew she needed to sharpen her skills by working on the opposite side.  Always ready to take on a challenge Vivian went for it.  As a defense attorney she was assigned to the healthcare team and quickly became a skillful defense trial attorney. She handled complex multi-party cases involving the defense of healthcare institutions, doctors and nurses. Her legal skills and medical/nursing knowledge proved invaluable.  For example, following a nearly month long, highly contentious trial involving multiple parties, Vivian and her colleague persuaded the jury to return a verdict in favor of their client.

After sharpening her skills on the defense side, Vivian returned to what she loves – advocating on behalf of victims.  Armed with a three-fold perspective – plaintiffs’ attorney, defense attorney and critical care nurse – Vivian became a formidable opponent. Vivian’s commitment to the clients she serve is unparalleled. For instance, as lead attorney in a wrongful death case involving a teenager who died after failing to timely receive treatment for asthma Vivian would not stop until the family received justice.  After the case was dismissed by the Circuit Court, stripping the mother of ever having her day in court, Vivian’s commitment to justice for the family drove her to dig deeper.  She refused to give up and did not take no for an answer.  Vivian appealed the Circuit Court’s decision. She was determined.  Vivian successfully argued before the Appellate Court and prevailed. The decision of the Circuit Court was reversed. The case was reinstated!

Outside the courtroom Vivian is just as engaged.  She served as Chair of the Medical Legal Relations Committee and as liaison for the Government Affairs Committee for the Chicago Bar Association, the largest bar association in the nation!  She also served on Governors State University Foundation Committee and is a member of various bar associations.

Vivian sits on the adjunct faculty staff of John Marshall Law School where she teach medical negligence and writing courses based on Illinois Civil Procedure, Torts, Contracts and Criminal Law.  She is often invited to lecture on a variety of topics before audiences ranging from high school students to nursing and medical professionals.   Vivian is also an alumna of Governors State University and Olive Harvey College.

Vivian is a happily married and has three adult children and five grandchildren.