Downey & Lenkov LLC

05/29/2026

Rich Lenkov joined Wendy Snyder on WGN Radio for a conversation surrounding the sentencing of Matthew Perry’s assistant, among other legal cases making national headlines.

Listen here: https://f.mtr.cool/eezwghnmni

05/25/2026

05/18/2026

Capital Member Kirsten Kaiser Kus will co-present “The Medicare Makeover: From Meh to Must Know” on 5/20/26 at 9:30 AM CT in Nashville, TN.

Kirsten joins Markel Group, Inc. Director of Claims Compliance Reporting Rosemarie Arellano, Cattie & Gonzalez Partner Rafael Gonzalez and Amerisure Insurance Workers' Compensation Claims Director Lindsay Huffman to discuss the operational and tactical challenges of Medicare compliance in workers’ compensation claims management.

This panel will examine recent regulatory developments, best practices for protecting Medicare’s interests and strategies for minimizing double-damage exposure while avoiding settlement delays.

Register here: https://f.mtr.cool/cjadnaomte

05/06/2026

The latest Workers' Compensation issue covers:

- Firm Successes
- Pain Sufficient to Prove Causation
- No Penalties for Unaccrued Benefits
- Firm News and more

Read here: https://f.mtr.cool/facaxoxnbn

05/01/2026

Of Counsel Margery Newman has been nominated to receive the ASA Chicago Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Lifetime Achievement Award is a prestigious recognition presented by the Association of Subcontractors & Affiliates (ASA) Chicago to a dedicated member who has demonstrated long-term, exceptional dedication and significant contributions to the Chicago construction subcontracting industry.

04/30/2026

Please welcome our new Indiana Associate Austin Andreas!

Austin is a dedicated attorney who is known for his strategic and detail-oriented approach. He works closely with employers, insurance carriers and third-party administrators to develop efficient and effective litigation strategies.

Before joining Downey & Lenkov, Austin gained valuable litigation experience in medical malpractice, insurance defense, complex construction and product liability matters.

Austin graduated with Honors and High Distinction from Indiana University Bloomington, then received his J.D. from the Indiana University Maurer School of Law. Austin participated in Moot Court, where he was a competition finalist, and won the mock trial competition in his final year of law school. Austin is a member of several legal and professional organizations, including the Indiana State Bar Association and the Indianapolis Bar Association.

Outside of the office, Austin enjoys spending time with his wife and son.

04/30/2026

Please welcome our new Illinois Associate Sophia Ateyea!

Sophia provides proactive, result-driven representation to employers, insurers and businesses in complex litigation matters. She works closely with clients and claims professionals to strategically manage exposure and achieve favorable outcomes.

Prior to joining the firm, Sophia practiced at a prominent corporate defense firm, representing commercial transportation clients, gaining valuable experience handling complex litigation matters.

During law school, Sophia served as a student attorney in the Community Enterprise & Solidarity Economy Clinic, where she provided transactional legal representation to worker-owned cooperative businesses. She also demonstrated leadership within the legal community as a member of the Student Bar Association, serving as a representative to the Illinois State Bar Association.

Outside of work, Sophia enjoys exploring new restaurants and attending music festivals.

04/30/2026

Capital Member Rich Lenkov appeared on WGN Radio with John Williams to discuss the recent indictment of James Comey and what it signals for the broader legal and political landscape.

Listen now: https://f.mtr.cool/xwtgpygiqg

04/22/2026

At Downey & Lenkov, our administrative team is the backbone of everything we do—and today, we want to take a moment to recognize and thank them.

From managing the details behind the scenes to keeping our days running smoothly, your dedication, organization and professionalism do not go unnoticed. You are often the first point of contact, the problem-solvers, the planners and the steady support that allows our attorneys to do their best work.

Your hard work, patience and commitment make a difference every single day—not just within our firm, but for our clients as well.

We are truly grateful for each of you and all that you do. Thank you for being such an essential part of our team.

04/17/2026

Join Income Member Emily Schlecte and Associate Ryan Dezonno as they examine the most common mistakes made when managing workers’ compensation claims. They will explain how those missteps can unintentionally strengthen a claimant’s case.

Emily and Ryan will share real-world defense strategies, offering insight into what they would do differently to win cases, reduce exposure and prevent claims from progressing unnecessarily. This session is designed to help claims professionals approach files more strategically from the beginning.

If you have a case you would like Emily and Ryan to review, please submit it in advance to [email protected].

Register here: https://f.mtr.cool/ncysmrjugp