


Ed Genson
Ryan's trial a battle of heavyweights

Edward Genson's legal education began at age 6, as he tagged along with his father, a bail bondsman, and hung out in courtrooms. Dan Webb talked a dean at Loyola University into letting him start law school a year early, an unheard-of feat. He still doesn't have an undergraduate degree. The sixth of seven children, Patrick Collins displayed an intense work ethic, getting his first job in 2nd grade pulling nails out of boards at a warehouse and eventually paying his way through a Catholic high school by running a lawn-mowing business. The historic trial of former Gov. George Ryan promises to be an epic courtroom battle, lasting four months and pitting Webb and Genson, arguably...