James P. Lynch - Associate

Biography

James P. Lynch is an associate at Williams Montgomery & John Ltd. and a member of the firm's tort defense and commercial litigation practice groups. Mr. Lynch focuses his practice on the defense of catastrophic injury claims, construction, transportation, premises and professional liability matters, as well as the litigation of commercial matters, in state and federal courts in Illinois and throughout the United States.

As a member of the firm's tort defense practice group, Mr. Lynch manages all phases of litigation arising from construction worksite accidents, representing owners, general contractors and subcontractors in high-exposure lawsuits alleging negligence and unsafe construction practices, among other causes of action.  Mr. Lynch also represents corporations in the defense of premises liability and general negligence claims and has mediated and settled such cases short of trial.  He currently represents an international hotel corporation and its affiliated subsidiaries in litigation arising from injuries sustained at a well-known hospitality and resort venue.

Mr. Lynch has favorably resolved numerous disputes through negotiated settlement, mediation and trial. He has extensive experience in each phase of civil litigation.

Prior to joining Williams Montgomery & John, Mr. Lynch practiced professional liability law, defending attorneys in lawsuits in Illinois state and federal courts. In addition, he prosecuted nursing homes under the Illinois Nursing Home Care Act on behalf of elderly victims and their families.

Currently, Mr. Lynch's pro bono work includes service to the Young Professionals Board for Open Heart Magic, a Chicago-based Section 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that trains and staffs magicians at local hospitals to provide support and relief to children undergoing long-term treatment for conditions such as pediatric cancer, childhood diabetes, heart problems, and pediatric heart transplants.  Open Heart Magic actively serves children in hospitals throughout Chicagoland.

Education/Bar Admissions

Mr. Lynch received a B.A. in public administration in 2004 from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, where he obtained a minor degree in constitutional law and served as a justice of the Miami University Student Court, selected by the Miami University Executive Council to rule and decide on cases involving students facing suspension, expulsion and/or possible criminal charges. He received his J.D. in 2007 from Loyola University Chicago School of Law, where he was a Philip H. Corboy Trial Advocacy Fellow, a recipient of the CALI Award for the highest grade in Appellate Advocacy, and a recipient of the May 2007 Commencement Award for Leadership and Service. Mr. Lynch received a Certificate in Advocacy upon graduation from law school.

Mr. Lynch was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2007 and also has been admitted to the following federal and state trial and appellate courts:

• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
• Supreme Court of Illinois

In addition, Mr. Lynch has been admitted pro hac vice in Indiana and Wisconsin.

Professional Activities

Mr. Lynch is active in numerous professional organizations, including:

• Chicago Bar Association
• Illinois State Bar Association
• Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel
• American Bar Association

Representative Matters

• Anton v. CBR, LLC
  

  Circuit Court of Kane County, Ill.
  Defended Massachusetts-based Home Improvement and Hardware COO in breach of contract action at trial in Kane County, Illinois.  Successfully secured complete award of settlement money to COO at evidentiary hearing following dispute over terms of settlement agreement post-trial.

• Decker v. Superior-Air-Ground Ambulance
  

  Circuit Court of Cook County, Ill.
  Obtained favorable settlement in personal injury lawsuit on behalf of defendant ambulance company and paramedics in which plaintiff claimed severe physical injuries following fall in ambulance stretcher while leaving Rush University Medical Center.

• Jarrett v. Montesdeoca
  

  Circuit Court of Kane County, Ill.
  Served as head trial counsel and received jury award in Kane County, Illinois on behalf of a 22-year-old female who had suffered multiple injuries following an automobile and trucking collision.

• Parties Confidential
  

  U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
  Favorably resolved professional negligence action filed in the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois.  Plaintiff claimed professional negligence despite receiving $2 million in underlying transportation negligence litigation.  Plaintiff made pre-trial demand of $5 million, but chose to settle out of court for nominal sum following pre-trial motions in limine.

• Parties Confidential
  

  Circuit Court of Cook County, Ill.
  Previously defended law firm in legal malpractice action where plaintiff real estate title company claims paralegal defrauded clients of $7.5 million as a result of firm's failure to monitor its own trust and checking accounts.  This matter is ongoing and involves multiple claims in both state and federal jurisdictions.

• Parties Confidential
  

  Circuit Court of Cook County, Ill.
  Successfully mediated six-figure settlement before (Ret.) Judge Joseph N. Casciato of ADR Systems in Chicago, Illinois on behalf of a 70-year-old female in negligence action brought under the Nursing Home Care Act.

• United USA, LLC v. Zimmerman, et al
  

  Circuit Court of Cook County, Ill.
  Successfully achieved defense verdict as second-chair in legal malpractice action filed in Cook County, Illinois.  Represented closing attorney in commercial real estate transaction valued in excess of three million dollars.  Plaintiff's pre-trial demand was in excess of half of a million dollars.  The jury returned a verdict of not liable on behalf of client.