JAMES E. ABBOTT

Jim is an experienced commercial litigator and trial attorney, whose practice includes the representation of professionals and businesses. He practices in a wide variety of litigation and trial areas, with an emphasis on professional liability litigation and product liability litigation. He also handles various commercial litigation matters, construction, labor and employment, and municipal matters. In the professional liability area, he has represented numerous professionals, including attorneys, physicians, nurses, dentists, hospitals, pharmacies, nursing homes, accountants, architects, and engineers in malpractice matters. He has also represented directors and officers in various business litigation matters, banks and financial institutions, and churches and clergy. In the commercial area, Jim has represented clients in a variety of contract and warranty disputes, real estate disputes, and consumer fraud claims, and has represented businesses in labor and employment disputes including the defense of retaliatory discharge claims, sexual harassment, disability, and age discrimination claims. He has also represented municipalities in Section 1983 claims.

Jim’s extensive product liability experience includes the representation of companies in toxic tort matters, including asbestos and other mass tort litigation, and toxic mold matters, as well as representation of clients who manufactured or sold pharmaceuticals, medical instruments, automobiles, construction equipment, and various household products.

Education

Chicago-Kent College of Law, JD, 1998; Chicago-Kent Law Review, member, 1996-1998, Notes & Comments Editor, 1997-1998; judicial extern to the Honorable Milton I. Shadur, 1997; finalist in Intensive Trial Advocacy Competition, 1997
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, BA, 1995; political science

Admissions

Illinois
United States District Courts: Northern District of Illinois, Central District of Illinois

Professional Activities

Society of Trial Lawyers (Illinois)
Defense Research Institute
Chicago Bar Association

Publications

“Product Liability Defense: Keys to Success," Inside the Minds, Product Liability Litigation and Dispute Resolution, Aspatore Books, 2007, 7-30
"You Be The Judge," OB-GYN Malpractice Prevention, July 2004, Vol. 11, No. 7, 53-55; case study on defense verdict in Strino v. Lindemulder, 00 L 15138 (tried Dec. 1-11, 2003 in Cook County, IL), which he co-tried; assisted in preparation of case study materials
"The Scope and Substance of Medical Expert Cross Examination," Illinois Bar Journal, Nov. 1998, Vol. 86, No. 11, 612-621, 638; assisted in article preparation while a law clerk

Representative Presentations

"Ethics and Good Faith Claims Handling," Broadspire, Schaumburg, IL, Dec. 16, 2009, speaker
"Governmental Immunities," Broadspire, Schaumburg, IL, Nov. 4, 2009, speaker
"Toxic Tort Case Law Updates," CNA, Chicago, IL, Oct. 17, 2008, speaker
"Bullying in the Workplace and Retaliatory Discharge Claims," Employer Resource Institute, Chicago, IL, Oct. 2, 2008, speaker
"Premises Liability Case Law Updates," CNA, Syracuse, NY, May 14, 2008, speaker
"Dental Malpractice Risk Management Seminar," CNA HealthPro for dental insureds, Chicago, IL, August 11, 2006, speaker
"Dental Malpractice Risk Management Seminar," CNA HealthPro for dental insureds, Chicago, IL, Dec. 3, 2004

Representative Trials and Reported Cases

Quintana v. Saltiel, 06 L 2234 (co-tried Jan. 2009 in Cook County, IL; settled before verdict)
Penn v. Kerr Corp., 105637/07 (co-tried to verdict June 2-27, 2008 in New York County, NY)
Estate of Bosco v. Orbeta, 02 L 11372 (co-tried to verdict Oct. 2-16, 2006 in Cook County, IL)
Mass v. Kerr Corp./Fleckner v. Kerr Corp., consolidated, 101931/04 and 113970/04 (co-tried May 2006 in New York County, NY; settled before verdict)
Strino v. Lindlmuldor, 2003 WL 25774914 (Trial Order) (Ill.Cir. Dec 11, 2003)
Public Building Commission of Chicago v. SWM Ventures, Inc., 01 L 50628 (co-tried to verdict Aug. 27-29, 2002 in Cook County, IL)
General American Life Ins. Co. v. Klatz, 99 C 4635 (co-tried to verdict Apr. 22-May 6, 2002 in U.S. Dist., N.D.Ill.)
David Niebur & Phillip Bue v. Town of Cicero, 98 C 4157 (U.S. Dist., N.D. Ill.)
Nieber and Bue v. Town of Cicero, 136 F.Supp 2d 915 (U.S. Dist., N.D. Ill Mar. 23, 2001)
In re Estate of William Shanan Powless, 315 Ill. App. 3d 859, 734 N.E.2d 111 (5th Dist. IL 2000)