
Louis F. Pignatelli
815-626-0500
815-626-0526 f
pignatelli@nilawyers.com
Soon after being sworn-in, Attorney Pignatelli began to practice with his father, then Mayor Louis J. Pignatelli. He maintained the family practice while simultaneously serving as the youngest State’s Attorney in the history of Whiteside County. He rededicated exclusively to private practice in the late-1970s.
Over the years, his practice has focused on obtaining compensation for injured people and their families. He has selected a handful of cases to follow this biography for your consideration.
In addition to obtaining justice for injured people, Attorney Pignatelli has extensive experience in finance and financial litigation in competitive market sectors.
Pignatelli secured the financing for his first residential development project with the title to his late-model Datsun. To date, he continues development of residential properties — both single-family and multi-unit — as well as commercial and industrial real estate in northwestern Illinois.
Pignatelli worked with the Chicago-based Gamel Broadcasting Group. Over time he acquired a minority stake and later purchased a controlling interest in the group’s five-tower, 1,000-watt Fox Valley-area station under the call letters WFXW, serving news, talk and nightly music to Geneva, St. Charles and Batavia.
Pignatelli served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Skolniks, a publicly-traded company on the NASDAQ. Then a director, Pignatelli stepped-up to captain the corporation — which produced the baked goods including the Olive Garden’s beloved breadsticks, as well as bagels and other bakery products — following the ousting of several members of management who were found to be complicit in corporate scandal. Under Pignatelli’s leadership, the national brand, franchise and wholesale divisions navigated toward an outcome in the best interests of its shareholders.
Pignatelli serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Community State Bank of Illinois.
Experience
Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)
University of Illinois College of Law
Attorney Pignatelli studied law at the University of Illinois College of Law at Champaign-Urbana.

Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) Program
Northwestern University
Attorney Pignatelli studied finance and economics at Northwestern University.

Artium Baccalaureus (A.B.)
The University of Notre Dame
Attorney Pignatelli studied theory and philosophy within the discourse of political science at the University of Notre Dame. During these years, he also served as student body President.
Media Appearances and Publications
- [Forthcoming]
Volunteer and Charitable Work
- Precinct Reporter, Primary and General Elections
- Board Member, Gianna’s House Pregnancy Resource Center
Professional Associations and Distinctions
- Member, Illinois State Bar Association
- Member, American Bar Association
- Member, Chicago Bar Association
- Member, American Association of Justice
What Our Clients Say
“Lou, if it wasn’t for you I would be serving a life sentence or worse. You and your friend, then U.S. Attorney General, Ramsey Clark, saved my life and saw justice was done. I thank God and your tireless devotion to justice for saving my life. I was innocent, and you believed in me.”
Gentleman wrongly-accused of homicide
“My family really appreciated how genuinely thoughtful, caring, and giving Mr. Pignatelli and all of his staff have been. They made things so much easier. ”
Widow in Whiteside County
“A doctor destroyed my son’s life. You unveiled the truth by piercing the cover up.”