Chasing dreams, having fun: R.I. attorney leads a charmed life

By John Marx, jmarx@qconline.com

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Photo: Paul Colletti Attorney Dennis VanDerGinst in the sixth floor conference room of his law firm, VanDerGinst Law, in Rock Island.

His corner office, in the building that bears his name, is larger than the double-wide trailer he lived in as a teenager. He manages about 75 employees under several corporate umbrellas. He is a workaholic on one side, a fun-lover on the other.

Rock Island-based attorney Dennis VanDerGinst -- a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, limited to lawyers who've secured million-dollar and multimillion-dollar verdicts in settlements -- is president and managing attorney of VanDerGinst Law PC, where he oversees 30 employees, including eight lawyers.

As president and CEO of MegaHunter Yellow Pages and Website Development Services, he guides a staff that is working toward publishing a new regional Yellow Pages directory in late February.

He's involved in numerous other business projects, including a minority share in the af2's Quad City Steamwheelers.

"Denny" VanDerGinst put himself through law school and worked hard to get where he is, but he knows he wouldn't be there were it not for those closest to him.

"I'm so lucky to have the family I have," says Mr. VanDerGinst, 45, a 1980 Alleman High School graduate who went on to earn his undergraduate degree at Northern Illinois University and his law degree at DePaul University. "My parents (Barb and his late father, Ken) taught my brothers, me and my sister the value of hard work and making our way.

"My brothers (Dave and Doug) and my sister (Denise) are all successful people. My wife, my parents and my family are all my personal heroes. My wife, Jean -- she's amazing.

"And as far as being an attorney goes, I couldn't have had a better role model than that of (Judge) Walter Braud. He made me understand people need our help, and we should do all we can for them."

After working as an attorney for 2 1/2 years in Chicago, Mr. VanDerGinst returned to the Quad-Cities in 1992 as an associate at Mr. Braud's former law firm. He later was a partner with him for five years.

Though he loves his work, Mr. VanDerGinst also loves having fun outside the office and spending time with family and friends. He has many outside interests.

Visitors to his East Moline home often are treated to a glimpse of his growing collection of movie memorabilia. His quirky inventory includes actress Cloris Leachman's pajamas from the movie "Spanglish," the animatronic raccoon arm used in the opening scene of "Ace Ventura: Pet Detective," and the vest worn by Dan Aykroyd in "Christmas With the Kranks."

Mr. VanDerGinst is not easily dissuaded when he sets his sights high. In college, he found a way to be a part of the U.S. Bobsled Federation, even though he lived in DeKalb, Ill., not a winter wonderland. He kept a list of personal goals in his wallet for years.

However, he never considered a law career until his senior year of college.

"I was a history major who thought I'd teach or have a career in archeology and paleontology," he says. "I had some buddies my junior year at Northern take the LSAT (Law School Admissions Test), and they didn't score well. So, being the good college buddy I was, I made fun of them. And, rightly so, they challenged me to take it and see if I could do better.

"I did. Here I am."

This was after the Olympic bobsled dream faded.

"Yes, I was a member of the U.S. Bobsled Federation before anyone cared who was on the team," Mr. VanDerGinst says. "Some friends in college did some research and found all we had to do was fill out an application, take some tests, and on a monthly basis submit our test results. We got the certificate (of team membership) and then the notice we could go to Lake Placid, New York, to try out for the U.S. Olympic team.

"At that point, the jig was up. End of bobsled career."

When Mr. VanDerGinst breaks from his busy work schedule, he has a knack for running into the famous. He has shared drinks in New York with Chicago Bulls great Scottie Pippen and has literally bumped into a variety of stars "out of the blue in the most random ways and places." His long list of chance encounters includes Will Ferrel, Clint Black, Emma Thompson, Ryne Sandberg, even Princess Diana.

"I was at the Drake Hotel in Chicago. Princess Diana was preparing to get into the elevator banks, and her security people asked if I could wait. There were a handful of people waiting to go up, and she came down and had been informed, or determined, (that) we were waiting because of her.

"She graciously came over and shook our hands and apologized for having to make us wait. I had never been a Princess Diana fan until that moment, and then I realized she was something special. So graceful and gracious."

He also was a friend and business associate of the late Johnnie Cochran. "I met Johnnie through another attorney, and we wound up being partners in one of the Cochran firms in St. Louis," he says.

"Unfortunately, Johnnie passed away in the midst of my contract, and when it expired, I parted ways with the group in St. Louis. But I do have the rights to Cochran satellite offices in Wisconsin and Ohio, and we've again established contact about another St. Louis office. Johnnie was a great guy and a great lawyer."

As the days descend into November, Mr. VanDerGinst's holiday-loving motor begins to rev. His favorite time of year is fast approaching.

"I'm not quite Clark Griswold, but I am a big fan of the holidays," he says. "It's just the spirit. I know I'm not the only one, but I love to see the change in people. It's too bad it's not that way all year. You see people exhibit their more giving nature, and they have something to look forward to during the holidays. You can see the optimism in their faces.

"And yes, occasionally I'll go overboard with the decorating."

His holiday spirit is getting an extra boost this year: One of his companies, MegaHunter, is joining Younkers, Deere & Co. and U.S. Cellular in co-sponsoring the Festival of Trees Holiday Parade Nov. 17 in downtown Davenport. Mr. VanDerGinst will get to ride in the parade as a grand marshal.

With so much on his plate, it might be tempting to slow down, but he still feels the drive.

"We have a growth strategy" at work, he says. "I don't see any reason to cut back or slow down. It's a lot of fun, and I get to help and make a difference in the lives of people. I'm having fun, but I also had fun as a Moline Park Board leader, a recreational-therapy aide at Franciscan Hospital, a bartender, a bouncer and a DJ.

"You can chase your dreams and still have fun."