James Lydon has a broad-based litigation practice with an emphasis on construction, employment, medical malpractice, commercial  and criminal litigation. In the area of tort litigation, Mr. Lydon has been lead counsel in cases involving catastrophic injury. He has also served as Special Assistant State’s Attorney, representing the Cook County Sheriff’s Office in civil litigation.

Mr. Lydon has extensive trial experience in both federal and state courts. Recent jury trial victories include:

• Wertepny v. St. Mary of Nazareth. Obtained favorable verdict in medical malpractice wrongful death case against client's hospital.
• Fields, et al. v. Byrne, et al. Successfully defended seven correctional officers with the Cook County Sheriff's Office in a high profile civil rights case brought by four Cook County Jail inmates. Clients were found not guilty after a three week jury trial.
• Buss v. St. Alexius Medical Center. Client found not guilty in premises liability case. Plaintiff was seeking in excess of $1 million.
• O'Donnell v. Northwest Community Hospital. Client found not guilty in premises liability case. Plaintiffs were seeking in excess of $2 million.
• U.S. v. Smith. Hung jury (10-2, not guilty) in federal firearms case resulting in later dismissal of indictment against client.

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 Chicago Bar Association and the Chicago Inn of Court. Mr. Lydon is also a panel attorney with the Federal Defender Program in the U.S. District Court. 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.