Zupanci, Dede K. - HeplerBroom

Dede K. Zupanci

Partner

Bio

Dede J. Zupanci is a seasoned healthcare attorney who has exclusively practiced medical malpractice defense for over 20 years.

Her strategic thinking and strong understanding of the medicine involved in each case has earned her clients’ trust and esteem. An authority on Illinois medical malpractice law, Dede has written and presented extensively to physicians, nurses, hospital administrators, and lawyers. She is a trusted attorney who has high integrity and is dedicated to protecting and defending the healthcare professionals and institutions that care for us all.

Ms. Zupanci works side by side with her clients to provide defenses unique to each case, leveraging her extensive experience and her deep relationships with both the defense and plaintiff’s bars.

Born and raised in Southern Illinois, she has a deep-rooted connection to the people and the communities here and serves them as a fierce and veracious advocate.

Education

Saint Louis University, J.D. 2002
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, Bachelor of Arts in Radio-Television, cum laude, 1992

Law School Honors/Involvement

Illinois State Bar Association Scholarship
Saint Louis University Public Law Review
- Notes and Comments
Saint Louis University School of Law Scholarship

Admissions & Affiliations

Illinois
Missouri
United States District Courts for the
- Southern District of Illinois
- Central District of Illinois
- Eastern District of Missouri

Professional Associations

Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel
Madison County (Illinois) Bar Association
St. Louis Area Health Lawyers Association

Other Professional/Civic Involvement

Metro East Humane Society

Medical & Healthcare Malpractice Professional Liability

Results

HeplerBroom Attorneys Prevail in Another Madison County Wrongful Death Case

November 25, 2025

Results

Zupanci and Jolley Secure Defense Verdict in Madison County Wrongful Death Claim

October 28, 2025

Results

Dede Zupanci Prevailed Before Fourth District Court of Appeals

May 6, 2011

AV Preeminent^® Attorney by Martindale-Hubbell
Illinois Leading Lawyer (2017-2025)
Illinois Super Lawyers
- Rising Star (2012)

Recognition

38 HeplerBroom Attorneys Named to 2020 List of Leading/Emerging Lawyers

October 29, 2020

Recognition

44 HeplerBroom Attorneys Named to 2019 List of Leading/Emerging Lawyers

May 16, 2019

Firm News

HeplerBroom Welcomes Two New Partners

January 3, 2012

Recognition

HeplerBroom Attorneys Named Illinois Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

January 3, 2012

Speaking Engagement

Zupanci Speaker and Odom Co-Chair of IDC Medical Malpractice Seminar

March 8, 2018

Odom and Zupanci Organize and Speak at IDC Seminar on Expert Witnesses

August 29, 2017

“Illinois Medical Malpractice Update and Discoverability of Incident Reports,” Alton Memorial Hospital Grand Rounds Presentation (Alton IL, 2023).
“Illinois Medical Malpractice Update and Reporting/Charting Medical Errors,” Alton Memorial Hospital Grand Rounds Presentation (Alton IL, 2019).
“New Trends in Medical Malpractice: From Conflict to Trial,” Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel seminar (Chicago, 2018).
“The Difficult Deposition: Strategies for Preparing Your Witness,” IDC Medical Malpractice Seminar (Chicago IL, 2018).
“A Guide to Retaining and Working with Experts,” IDC Expert Witness Seminar (Chicago IL, 2017).
“Illinois Medical Malpractice Update and Ending the Physician-Patient Relationship,” Alton Memorial Hospital Grand Rounds Presentation (Alton IL, 2016).
“Illinois Medical Malpractice Update and the Importance of Charting in Litigation,” Alton Memorial Hospital Grand Rounds Presentation (Alton IL, 2015).
“Illinois Medical Malpractice Update and Medical Charting Pitfalls,” Alton Memorial Hospital Grand Rounds Presentation (Alton IL, 2015).
“Illinois Medical Malpractice Update,” Alton Memorial Hospital Grand Rounds Presentation (Alton IL, 2014).
“Illinois Medical Malpractice Update and Medicare Fraud Overview,” Alton Memorial Hospital Grand Rounds Presentation (Alton IL, 2013).
“The Strengthening of the Petrillo Rule – Post Aylward,” IDC Spring Symposium (2012).
“Illinois Medical Malpractice Law,” Alton Memorial Hospital Grand Rounds Presentation (Alton IL, 2011).
“Illinois Tort Reform Update,” Alton Memorial Hospital Grand Rounds Presentation (Alton IL, 2010).
“Illinois Tort Reform Update,” Alton Memorial Hospital Grand Rounds Presentation (Alton IL, 2009).
“What a Plaintiff Must Prove to Be Successful in a Medical Malpractice Claim,” Alton Memorial Hospital Grand Rounds Presentation (Alton IL, 2009).
“It is Time for My Deposition: Why Am I Here and What Do I Do?” Alton Memorial Hospital Grand Rounds Presentation (Alton IL, 2008).

Blog

Illinois Appellate Court Ruling on Forum Non Conveniens Venue Transfers

December 22, 2020

Blog

Expand the List of Hospital Apparent Agents? The Illinois Supreme Court Says Not So Fast

May 2, 2018

“Patient’s new neurological symptoms warrant medical clearance before continuing chiropractic care. But DC’s actions after treatment complication decrease settlement value,” NCMIC Examiner, 2024.
“Redisclosure of Mental Health Records Can Create Liability Under the Illinois Mental Health Act,” IDC Quarterly, Vol. 33, No. 3 (2023).
“The Use of Focus Groups and Mock Trials,” IDC Quarterly, Vol. 32, No. 3 (2022). (Co-author)
“Pre-existing Condition Not Addressed by Chiropractor Results in Injury to Patient. And Lawsuit Settlement,” NCMIC Examiner, 2021.
“Special Interrogatories in Suicide Cases: Objective vs. Subjective Standard,” Medical Malpractice Updates, IDC Quarterly, Vol. 29, No. 2 (2019). (Co-author)
“Policy Prevails: The Illinois Supreme Court Declines to Expand Apparent Agency Claims Against Hospitals,” IDC Quarterly, Vol. 28, No. 2 (2018). (Co-author)
“The Right to Privacy v. The Right to Assistance of Counsel: Balancing the Petrillo Doctrine in Medical Malpractice Cases,” IDC Quarterly, Vol. 27, No. 2 (2017). (Co-author)
“The Relevancy of a Medical Expert’s Own Personal Practice,” IDC Quarterly, Vol. 26, No. 4 (2016).
“Klaine v. Southern Illinois Hospital Services: Are Hospital Credentialing Files Discoverable?” IDC Quarterly, Vol. 26, No. 2 (2016).
“Electronic Health Records and E-Discovery: A Primer for Defense Counsel,” IDC Quarterly, Vol. 26, No. 1 (2016). (Co-author)
“The Liability Relationship between Initial and Successive Tortfeasors,” IDC Quarterly, Vol. 25, No. 4 (2015).
“The Lost Chance Doctrine is Still Alive in Medical Malpractice Actions: Hemminger v. LeMay,” IDC Quarterly, Vol. 24, No. 4 (2014).
“Demonstrative Evidence to Aid Expert’s Testimony: Ensuring Its Admissibility,” IDC Quarterly, Vol. 24, No. 2 (2014).
“Perkey v. Portes-Jarol Clarifies Whether a Right to Recoupment Bars a Reduction in Judgment,” IDC Quarterly, Vol. 23, No. 4 (2013).
“When Does a Consent Form Defeat Apparent Agency for Hospitals?” IDC Quarterly, Vol. 23, No. 2 (2013).
“When is a Physician Qualified to Testify on the Standard of Care of a Nurse?” IDC Quarterly, Vol. 22, No. 4 (2012).
“Telephone Call Seeking Medical Advice Did Not Establish Hospital-Patient Relationship,” IDC Quarterly, Vol. 22, No. 3 (2012).
“Aylward Affirms Petrillo Progeny: Defense Counsel May Not Speak Ex Parte With Employees Unless Conduct is Basis for Liability,” IDC Quarterly (3rd Quarter 2011).
“Institutional Negligence and Negligent Credentialing: Potential Liability for Hospitals,” IDC Quarterly (2nd Quarter 2011).
“Requests to Admit Reasonableness of Medical Bills May Require More Investigation,” IDC Quarterly (4th Quarter 2010).

“Which Version of § 5/2-622 is Law Post-Lebron?” IDC Quarterly (3rd Quarter 2010).