James P. Lynch

James P. Lynch is a trial lawyer who represents victims and their families in catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death cases. Prior to joining Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC, Jim practiced commercial litigation at a prominent Chicago law firm, where he defended nationally-recognized insurance providers against personal injury claims across the Midwest, as well as prosecuted antitrust matters on behalf of corporate plaintiffs and represented the City of Chicago in multiple Police Board administrative trials. Specifically, Jim’s experience defending against personal injury and wrongful death claims gives him valuable insight to maximize his clients’ recovery due to the negligence of others.

In the years that Jim has represented the injured and their families throughout Illinois, he has been selected as a “Rising Star” by the Illinois Super Lawyers publication, which is limited to less than 2.5% of attorneys in Illinois under the age of 40. Jim was also recognized by the Chicago Law Bulletin Media publication as an “Emerging Lawyer” for his general personal injury work and handling of nursing home negligence matters, a distinction limited to fewer than 2.0% of Illinois attorneys under the age of 40. In recent years, Jim was nominated and selected as a “Super Lawyer” by Illinois Super Lawyers and “Leading Lawyer” by Chicago Law Bulletin Media, a distinction made for the top 5% of all attorneys licensed in Illinois, regardless of age. Finally, Jim was extremely honored to have been selected in 2020 as a “Top 40 Under 40 Illinois Attorney To Watch” by Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and Chicago Lawyer Magazine for the reasons provided in the embedded website link. Jim has recovered multiple millions for injured clients through settlement, mediation, and jury verdict awards since making the switch to representing injured plaintiffs, which led to Jim’s promotion to Partner in January 2021.

Jim received his J.D. from Loyola University Chicago School of Law in 2007, where he was a recipient of the Corboy Trial Advocacy Fellowship, a scholarship and intensive trial advocacy training program awarded to the top advocates at Loyola Law as chosen by faculty. As a Corboy Fellow, Jim competed nationally in mock trial competitions across the United States. He further received the CALI Award for the highest grade in Appellate Advocacy and was a member of the Dean’s List. Jim received a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. At Miami University, Jim served as a Justice on the faculty-selected Student Court and was a member of the Dean’s List. Jim is a lifelong Chicago area resident, first raised in Chicago’s Beverly neighborhood on the south side and later in suburban Western Springs, where he graduated from Nazareth Academy in LaGrange Park.

Mr. Lynch is currently admitted to the Illinois Bar, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois. He has previously been admitted pro hac vice in cases across the Midwest. Jim is married and the father of three young children.

Results

• $16,159,910.95 insurance excess Cook County jury verdict in a trucking case on behalf of two minor children that lost their father in the collision, which took place in Will County. Defendant trucking company denied liability for the wrongful death and refused to offer the $2 million in insurance policy limits until the middle of trial, which took place four and a half years after the crash itself. The $2M settlement offer was rejected and a $13,800,000.00 jury verdict was obtained, which also included $2,359,910.95 in pre-judgment interest under Illinois law.
• $15,000,000.00 settlement on behalf of several mattress retailers in In re: Polyurethane Foam Antitrust Litigation, a federal class action lawsuit in Ohio that involved an alleged price-fixing conspiracy by a nationwide group of polyurethane foam manufacturers.
• $5,350,000.00 settlement on behalf of a 45-year-old man who was a passenger in a golf cart rollover incident in Galena, Illinois, due to a steep and unsafe cart path, which caused multiple, permanent leg injuries.
• $2,850,000.00 settlement on behalf of a 32-year-old Chicago woman’s family against a Chicago-area hospital. The woman, who left behind a mother and three siblings as a developmentally disabled adult, died while hospitalized, following complications from brain surgery.
• $2,250,000.00 settlement on behalf of a 68-year-old Chicago woman’s family against a Chicago-area hospital. The mother of six died while hospitalized due to undiagnosed pulmonary emboli that Defendant failed to treat.
• $2,000,000.00 settlement on behalf of a 32-year-old military veteran who was struck and injured by a vehicle while riding his motorcycle in Chicago, suffering a leg fracture.
• $1,500,000.00 settlement on behalf of a 41-year-old man in a negligent security case where he suffered facial fractures, due to a shooting in Chicago where he was attacked on the sidewalk of a condo development.
• $1,032,300.79 insurance excess Cook County jury verdict in an automobile case on behalf of a 57-year-old mother and 35-year-old daughter injured in a rear-end crash in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. Defendant’s insurance company refused to offer any settlement money until the start of trial, four years following the crash. The insurance company denied the clients’ claims throughout trial, arguing that the mother and daughter’s injuries were not related to the crash. Following the above jury verdict, the insurance company settled for a total of $1,045,923.61 to avoid further litigation. (2018 Top 50 Personal Injury Jury Verdict in Illinois.)
• $1,000,000.00 settlement on behalf of a 39-year-old man who was struck and injured in a rear-end car crash in Chicago as a backseat passenger and suffered disputed injuries to his lower body and pelvic muscles, which required surgery.
• $1,000,000.00 settlement on behalf of the estate of a 63-year-old man with developmental disabilities that choked to death while a resident of a Cicero, Illinois non-for-profit group home.
• $989,860.00 settlement on behalf of a 57-year-old woman and 59-year-old man who were sideswiped by a semi-truck while stopped at a red light in Winnebago County, Illinois, suffering disputed spinal and head injuries.
• $985,000.00 settlement on behalf of a 51-year-old man who was injured in a crash with a box truck in Bellwood, Illinois, suffering a torn rotator cuff that required surgery.
• $930,000.00 settlement on behalf of the estate of an 86-year-old woman who suffered a neck fracture while being transported in a medical van to an appointment in Zion, Illinois after the driver failed to secure her wheelchair inside the vehicle.
• $900,000.00 settlement on behalf of a 38-year-old man who left behind two minor children against a southwest Chicago suburban bar for negligent security, when the father of two was shot and killed inside the establishment.
• $900,000.00 settlement on behalf of a 46-year-old man who slipped and fell off the top of a tanker truck while at work in a Chicago factory, suffering permanent injury to his neck, wrist and jaw.
• $825,000.00 settlement on behalf of a 53-year-old woman who was attacked by a pitbull mix in Blue Island, Illinois, suffering a broken right arm and permanent scarring across both arms due to the attack.
• $820,000.00 settlement on behalf of a 42-year-old man who stepped into a pothole filled with water in a Maywood, Illinois gas station and suffered an ankle fracture that required surgery.
• $800,000.00 settlement on behalf of a 31-year-old man who suffered multiple leg fractures upon striking a Chicago pothole while driving a moped.
• $700,000.00 settlement on behalf of a 50-year-old man, who was rear-ended at high speed on I-90 in Schaumburg Township, Illinois and suffered suffering disputed knee and shoulder injuries that required surgery.
• $675,000.00 settlement on behalf of a 59-year-old male semi-truck driver who suffered a lumbar spinal injury after a wheel came off another semi-truck and struck the injured party’s semi-truck, as both were traveling on I-57 in downstate Franklin County, Illinois.  
• $600,000.00 settlement on behalf of a 63-year-old man who suffered an infection after undergoing total ankle replacement surgery. Chicago-area hospital and podiatrist failed to recognize and treat an infection that developed at the surgical site, leading to additional surgeries and treatment.
• $287,000.00 Cook County jury verdict on behalf of a 62-year-old service technician who fell through a negligently-maintained roof hatch at the Lake Forest Tollway Oasis, suffering a concussion and partial tear to his right rotator cuff. The service technician previously notified the defendant’s property manager about the issues with the roof hatch and no repairs were made prior to his fall. This jury verdict was nearly five times the last settlement offer by the defendant’s property manager prior to trial. (2019 Top 50 Personal Injury Jury Verdict in Illinois.)
• $145,978.00 Kankakee County, Illinois jury verdict on behalf of a 53-year-old house painter who suffered a rotator cuff injury in a fall off a ladder. The jury awarded damages in the exact dollar amounts suggested during the closing argument. The insurance company that represented the defendant homeowner did not offer a single dollar for the injuries the housepainter suffered in his fall either prior to or during trial.

Client Testimonials

“Partner Jim Lynch won a settlement in my case against multiple defendants, including a municipality and a utility company. Jim was terrific to work with. Sharp and intelligent, his depth of knowledge of the law is clear. He was able to explain even the most nuanced aspects in an understandable way. Jim was on top of my case from beginning to end, kept me up to date with the latest developments, and always took the time to answer my questions. When we spoke on the phone Jim took time to check-in on a personal level—about how I was feeling and about my recovery—before getting down to brass tacks. It’s unfortunate to have to pursue a personal injury case. If you do, I’d highly recommend you have Jim and Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman in your corner representing you.” – Ryan W.

“Hiring an attorney is always a daunting step to take, but from the moment I spoke with attorney Jim Lynch I felt like we were old friends. Coming highly recommended to me by a good friend who is also an attorney, I wasn’t sure what to expect when I called Mr. Lynch’s office to inquire as to whether I had a valid medical malpractice case or not, but he was able to answer each of my questions in terms that I could understand. Once I decided to move forward, he never pressured me and always made sure that I understood the process; never making me feel silly when I had follow up questions. Tackling my case as if it was top priority, I was shocked at how much time he spent pouring over medical records, speaking with specialists, and pulling together a case that ultimately resulted in a large payout. Although I wouldn’t wish a medical malpractice situation on anyone, the process was easy from start to finish and I’ll miss my chats with Mr. Lynch.” – Stephanie A.

“Other large firms in Chicago did not think my case could be won. Jim did an outstanding job in my personal injury case. He took on a tough case and fought for every penny, which I was very satisfied with. I watched him in action on my case a few times, leaving the defense speechless. I would highly recommend him.” – Eyad M.

“James Lynch is an excellent lawyer, very professional, helpful, clever, understanding and talented. My husband and I are going to be always grateful for Jim and all the brilliant work he did.” – Camila M 

“Fully recommend. James L. knows what he is doing and will explain every smallest step. If you are reading this: you already WON!” – Dawid K.

“Jim Lynch is a treasure to the legal world as far as I am concerned. He listens and empathizes. And then acts in the best interest of the client. **********. That’s 10 stars!” – Sharon C.

“Jim Lynch was super professional and took really good care of me…he answered all of my questions and concerns with no problem and kept me up to date. I truly would recommend him and his team; they were awesome!” – Orlandra H.

“TPMB is an outstanding law firm. Mr. James Lynch and his team was amazing. The level of professionalism and the compassion shown really made me feel at ease. I have hired TPMB to settle two cases on my behalf… I have complete confident that Jim and his team will handle my case with the professionalism which Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman are known for. Thanks to the entire TPMB family!” – Robert C.

“I would highly recommend Jim Lynch at Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman. He was incredibly professional and was always available to answer any questions I had during the entire process. Jim was a true expert and I was very pleased with the settlement of my case as it was more than double of what I expected!!” – Matt T.

“Jim Lynch and his team at TPMB were outstanding! What I thought was going to be a standard case for my injury turned into an extremely complicated case at every level. Jim worked incredibly hard to bring all parties to the table for settlement ahead of schedule. He was able to negotiate a higher settlement than I expected. I could not have asked for a better lawyer and overall experience at TPMB despite the circumstances. I don’t often give my highest recommendation, but Jim absolutely earned it!” – Jonathan B.

“James Lynch is the best in the business. He worked tirelessly for me and my family to help get our case resolved. He walked me through every step of the way and always maintained communication. James made me feel like I was his most important client, while maintaining the utmost integrity.” – Chris M.

“I was involved in a hit and run accident while walking my dog last summer. I was scared and huge doctor bills started piling up almost immediately as I tried to recover. Struggling to work with my insurance company in what I found to be a very confusing process, I felt extremely lucky to be introduced to Jim Lynch, who immediately helped me work through a tough and complex system. He was compassionate and patient, all while alleviating my stress and anxiety so I could focus my energy on healing. He is incredibly reliable, always answering the phone or getting back to me quickly with all my questions and concerns. He always had my best interests at heart and I am forever grateful to Jim and his entire team.” – Ashley K.

“Although Jim had only been working on my case for a few weeks, he was very familiar with it and was determined to have a positive outcome. Jim’s closing argument and final rebuttal completely knocked it out of the park. He could not have done better and the jury’s judgment is testament to that.” – Jenn K.

Publications

Illinois Needs a “John Doe” Statute, James P. Lynch and Grant A. Bosnich, ITLA Winter Trial Journal (2023)

Civic Organizations

Lawyers Lend-A-Hand to Youth: current member of the Board of Directors. LLAH provides free one-to-one tutoring and mentoring to students in Chicago grade schools with a focus on literacy. Each LLAH student-tutor pair receives an individualized reading plan to work on each week. Because many of LLAH’s students have learning differences, LLAH’s tutors strive to use instructional methods and materials with them that are appropriate for their learning needs. 

Nazareth Academy Development Board: current member of the Development Board, which helps address fundraising and school development needs for Nazareth Academy, a co-educational, college preparatory high school in LaGrange Park, Illinois. The Board’s goals are centered around the Nazareth Academy Four Pillars: Scholarship, Service, Spirit and Unity.

Open Heart Magic: former Professional Board Vice President of Sponsorships & Partnerships; prior recipient of “Special Service Award” for fundraising efforts on behalf of this non-for-profit organization that provides interactive magic to sick and terminally ill children in Chicago area hospitals.