James D. Montgomery Jr.

James D. Montgomery Jr. is the founding attorney of Montgomery Law Firm LLC in Chicago and a trial lawyer focused on civil litigation. His practice includes civil rights violations, serious personal injuries, wrongful death, medical malpractice, professional negligence, and abuse of authority. He represents individuals and families in cases involving powerful institutions and significant harm. His work emphasizes case-specific strategy, detailed investigation, witness preparation, and trial readiness from the early stages of a matter.

James earned a B.S. in Economics from Stanford University in 1979 and a J.D. from the University of Illinois College of Law in 1982. He later spent seventeen years in a major corporate legal department, including work as an attorney and director of operations for McDonald’s Corporation. That combination of legal and economics training, corporate decision-making experience, and litigation practice informs his evaluation of risk, damages, records, liability exposure, and organizational conduct in civil cases.

James has obtained significant verdicts and settlements in civil rights, medical malpractice, and personal injury matters. His reported results include an $8.5 million jury award in a police shooting case, and a $6.5 million settlement arising from a fatal trucking collision. His case preparation includes evaluating agency policies, training practices, medical standards, internal records, testimony, causation, and the decisions that contributed to a client’s injuries or loss.

James D. Montgomery Jr. has been recognized by The National Law Journal’s Plaintiff’s Hot List and has received repeated Super Lawyers selections. His practice is built around trial readiness, disciplined case development, and direct client involvement. He works with clients throughout the litigation process, adapting strategy as facts develop and preparing arguments for judges and juries. His background in civil rights advocacy and corporate legal operations provides a broad perspective on accountability, institutional decision-making, and complex civil litigation.

Law Office Affiliations

• Founder, Montgomery Law Firm LLC
• Member, Illinois State Bar Association
• Member, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association (2009-Present)
• Member, Cook County Bar Association
• Former Board Member, Loretto Hospital, Board of Trustees

Licensed State

• Illinois

Education

• University of Illinois College of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Stanford University
  Bachelor of Science (BS) in Economics

Awards & Badges