Brian Hart

Brian Hart was born and raised in Rockford. He attended Northern Illinois University and received a BA in Psychology. He then attended Northern Illinois University College of Law and was awarded a Juris Doctorate in 1992. For over two decades, Attorney Hart has been a member of the Northern Illinois District Federal Bar and has been focusing his practice on bankruptcy law. He filed his first bankruptcy case in 1992. Since then, Attorney Hart also served as the staff attorney for the Northern District of Illinois — Western Division Chapter 13 Trustee. The experience he gained in that position is invaluable and no one else in private practice in this area has served in this role and has this experience. Since 1992 Brian A. Hart and his associates have filed over 4000 local bankruptcy cases.

Attorney Hart believes strongly in giving back to his community. In 2008 Attorney Hart was named the Prairie State Legal Services Volunteer of the Year for his efforts in assisting lower income clients by providing free legal services. In 2011 Attorney Hart was the inaugural individual recipient of the John C. McAndrews Pro Bono Service Award. To receive this award, Attorney Hart was selected from all the attorneys in the entire state of Illinois to be recognized for his continued support to the people of Rockford by providing free legal services. Also in 2011, Attorney Hart received an additional special recognition award from Prairie State Legal Services for his continued efforts.  Attorney Hart was once again recognized for his efforts to help the Rockford community. Based upon recommendations from the federal judges and the appellate judges, Attorney Hart was singled out and recognized once again for his efforts toward assisting those who cannot afford legal services; and for his excellence in representing his clients in the bankruptcy court system. He was awarded the 2012 Pro Bono and Public Service Award for the entire 7th Circuit. The 7th Circuit Court covers all of Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin and of all the attorneys practicing in those three states, Brian A. Hart was singled out.

Attorney Hart is a member of the Winnebago County Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association and the Federal Bar Association.   Attorney Hart was also one of the founding members of the Rockford Chapter of the Federal Bar Association and served as their secretary of two terms.

Awards

Preeminent 4.8 out of 5	Martindale-Hubbell	2017
Excellence in Public Interest Service	United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois	2015
Pro Bono and Public Service Award	United States Seventh Circuit	2012
John C. McAndrews Pro Bono Service Award	Illinois State Bar Association	2011
Volunteer of the Year	Prairie State Legal Services	2008