Manuel von Ribbeck, Of Counsel

Doctor in Jurisprudence
Attorney at Law (Illinois, USA)
Industrial Systems Engineer

Manuel von Ribbeck — Founding Partner, Doctor in Jurisprudence, Industrial Systems Engineer.

Mr. von Ribbeck focuses his legal practice representing victims of catastrophic incidents, including aviation disasters from human or mechanical errors often misrepresented as accidents. Many disaster victims are from areas outside the United States; they are overwhelmed by the government's complex legal system as well as American cultural and language differences, making it exceptionally challenging for them to pursue justice. Mr. von Ribbeck's mission is to guide such victims through state, federal, appellate and the US Supreme Court, His legal strategies earn record-breaking settlements as well as successful trial outcomes typically litigated against savvy corporate defendants.

While in school, Mr. von Ribbeck earned a prestigious Fulbright Scholarship in Engineering through the Institute of International Education (IIE). The U.S. government's flagship international educational exchange program is designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. The competitive, prestigious appointment is awarded after a rigorous application process. "Fulbrighters" demonstrate the academic merit and distinct leadership potential to facilitate the exchange of ideas and contribute to finding solutions to shared international concerns. Mr. von Ribbeck also studied European Community and International Law in Italy and France. While working as an engineer, Mr. von Ribbeck was admitted to DePaul University Law School in Chicago, IL, where he earned his Juris Doctor.

Mr. von Ribbeck's engineering degree, legal scholarship and depth of experience have resulted in successfully representing survivors originating from countries on every continent, including Canada, the United States, Mexico, the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ireland, Switzerland, Iran, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Niger, Peru, Argentina, Brazil, Spain, Germany, Austria, Israel, Turkey, France, Egypt, Singapore, Australia, Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, China and India.

Mr. von Ribbeck is also recognized for his pro-bono work for the Chicago Volunteer Legal Service (CVLS), a non-profit organization providing legal representation to indigent clients. Due to his extensive expertise, Mr. von Ribbeck is frequently a pragmatic spokesperson the international media calls upon to discuss aviation disasters. Here are some of his interviews: http://www.youtube.com/user/Ribbecklaw#p/a/u/1/p0gGFnLpa9I

Mr. von Ribbeck has represented families from the following aviation disasters:

Turkish Airlines Flight 1951, February 25, 2009, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Aeroflot Flight 821, September 14, 2008, Perm, Russia
Spanair Flight 5022, August 20, 2008, Madrid, Spain
Cessna Caravan, Chile, 2008
Kenya Airways Flight 507, May 5, 2007, Douala, Cameroon
Garuda Flight 200, March 7, 2007, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
One-Two-Go Flight 269, September 16, 2007, Phuket Island, Thailand
Adam Air Flight 574, January 1, 2007, Manado, Indonesia: multi-million dollar settlement
AtlasJet Flight 4203, November 30, 2007, Isparta, Turkey
Gol Airlines Flight 1907, September 29, 2006, Mato Grosso, Brazil
Chalk's Ocean Airways, December 19, 2005, Miami, Florida, USA: multi-million dollar settlement
Tans Airlines Flight 204, August 23, 2005, Pucallpa, Peru
Mandala Airlines Flight 091, September 5, 2005, Medan, Indonesia
American Eagle Flight 5401, May 9, 2004, San Juan, Puerto Rico: settled
Flash Airlines Flight 604, January 3, 2004, Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt
Tol Air 12, July 2004, Virgin Islands
Lion Air Flight 538, November 30, 2004, Solo, Indonesia: multi-million dollar settlement
ATA Airlines, Chicago, USA: settled May 9, 2004, San Juan, Puerto Rico: settled
China Airlines Flight 611, May 25, 2002, Penghu Islands, Taiwan: multi-million dollar settlement
American Airlines 587, November 12, 2001, Belle Harbor, New York, USA: multi-million dollar settlement
Air Philippines Flight 541, April 19, 2000, Samal Island, Philippines: multi-million dollar settlement
Singapore Airlines Flight 006, October 31, 2000, Taipei, Taiwan: multi-million dollar settlement
Egypt Air Flight 990, October 31, 1999, New York, USA
LAPA Airlines Flight 3142, August 31, 1999, Buenos Aires, Argentina: multi-million dollar settlement
Swissair Flight 111, September 2, 1998, Nova Scotia, Canada: multi-million dollar settlement
Austral Airlines, Flight 2553, October 10, 1997: multi-million dollar settlement
Garuda Airlines Flight 152, September 26,1997, Medan, Indonesia: (first part settled)

Mr. von Ribbeck is fluent in English and Spanish, and proficient in French and Portuguese. He is a member of the American Association for Justice, the American Bar Association, the Illinois State Bar Association and the Chicago Bar Association.