Practice Focus

James Lydon is an experienced trial lawyer with a broad-based litigation practice. His areas of practice include employment, construction, medical, business and criminal litigation.

Mr. Lydon has successfully handled many employment practices disputes, including discrimination and wrongful termination lawsuits. He also represents clients in business disputes, including breach of contract actions. In white collar criminal matters, Mr. Lydon has represented clients in bank fraud, SEC fraud and other financial cases.

In the area of tort and professional liability litigation, Mr. Lydon has served as lead counsel in cases involving catastrophic injuries. He has also been appointed as a Special State's Attorney to represent the Cook County Sheriff's Office in numerous civil litigation matters. Additionally, Mr. Lydon has represented municipal police officers in civil rights litigation.

Representative Cases

Mr. Lydon has extensive trial and appellate experience in both federal and state courts. A selection of his successful results includes the following:

· Obtained favorable jury verdict in medical malpractice wrongful death case against client hospital.

· Defended deputy sheriffs with the Cook County Sheriff's Office in a high profile civil rights case. Clients were found not guilty after a three week jury trial.

· Obtained not guilty jury verdicts in two premises liability cases against client hospitals, where plaintiffs in both cases were seeking in excess of $1 million.

· Defended client charged in federal firearms case. Jury was hung (10-2, not guilty), resulting in dismissal of indictment against client.

· Obtained summary judgment on behalf on the Chicago White Sox in a malicious prosecution case where plaintiff's demand was $1 million.

· Obtained summary judgment on behalf of client alleged to have violated the Illinois Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Confidentiality Act causing plaintiff's employment termination.

· After a successful appeal before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, Mr. Lydon secured a large settlement on the eve of trial on behalf of a film producer in a breach of contract, fraud and defamation case against a Canadian film company and bank.

Professional Background

Before joining Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP in January 2002, Mr. Lydon served as an Assistant State's Attorney in Cook County, where he tried 30 jury trials and hundreds of bench trials. As a member of the Felony Review Unit, he participated in hundreds of felony investigations.

Mr. Lydon holds the AV® Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, its highest rating for ethics and legal ability. His professional memberships include the Society of Trial Lawyers and the Chicago Inn of Court. Mr. Lydon is also a panel attorney with the Federal Defender Program in the U.S. District Court.

Publications and Presentations

Mr. Lydon's publications include "Sophisticated Means Enhancement Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines," published on Law360.com, September 2011.

His presentations include:

· "Top Issues and Emerging Trends in Employment Law," Arch Insurance Group, Chicago, Illinois, October 2011.

· "Effective Direct and Cross Examination," Hinshaw University Trial Advocacy Program, Chicago, Illinois, June 2011.

· "Labor Law Compliance in a Unionized Setting," Professional Flooring Installers Association, Chicago, Illinois, July 2009.

Community Service Activities

Mr. Lydon volunteers his time for the Constitutional Rights Foundation's "Lawyers in the Classroom" program, where attorneys visit Chicago public schools to teach children about the United States Constitution and legal system.