James M. McIsaac

James M. McIsaac brings a broad legal background shaped by government service, procurement work, litigation, compliance, and aviation-related matters. His practice centers on Government Contacts, Compliance and Regulatory Matters, and Transportation and Aviation matters. He assists clients with practical guidance on bids, disputes, contract terms, agency actions, and public-sector requirements.

James earned his Bachelor of Arts from Northeastern University in Chicago, Illinois. He later earned his J.D. from DePaul University College of Law in Chicago, Illinois. His education supports a career focused on public contracts, regulatory issues, procurement rules, transportation projects, and legal services for clients facing government processes.

James has helped clients prepare proposals, RFQs, bids, and compliance plans connected to state and local government opportunities. He has also handled bid protests, contract disputes, and responses to competing vendor protests. His work includes reviewing contracts and subcontracts to help clients seek stronger, clearer, and more favorable terms.

James previously served as Associate General Counsel for the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. In that role, he advised on procurement protests, disputes, concessions, and construction contracts. He also negotiated inter-agency agreements, drafted leases, and prepared settlement agreements tied to transportation and aviation operations.

James also served as Managing Deputy Commissioner and General Counsel for the City of Chicago’s Department of Procurement Services. He managed legal issues for the City of Chicago procurements and advised on contractual interpretation, disputes, diversity certification, compliance, employment, ethics, settlements, legislation, media responses, risk avoidance, rules, and regulations.

James formerly worked with the City of Chicago’s O’Hare Modernization Program as Assistant Commissioner, managing the Legal / Procurement group for major airport redevelopment contracts. Earlier, he served in the City’s Law Department in the Municipal Prosecutions Division and worked as an attorney in Bank One’s Litigation Group.

James M. McIsaac helps people and organizations address complex government-facing legal matters with steady, informed guidance. His experience includes defending adverse agency actions, responding to inspector general investigations, handling FOIA issues, drafting contract templates, and supporting compliance plans involving subcontractor utilization and public contract obligations.

Law Office Affiliations

• Of Counsel, Leach | King | Klinger Law LLC
• Member, New York State Bar Association
• Member, Illinois State Bar Association
• Member, Virginia State Bar

Licensed State

• Illinois
• New York
• Virginia

Education

• DePaul University College of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Northeastern University
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges