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 was first selected as a Rising Star by the Illinois Super Lawyers publication (2016, 2017), which is limited to fewer than 2.5% of attorneys in Illinois under 40 years old. Jim was further recognized by Chicago Law Bulletin Media as an Emerging Lawyer (2019, 2020) for his nursing home negligence and general personal injury work, a distinction limited to fewer than 2.0% of the attorneys in Illinois under the age of 40. Jim was later selected as a Super Lawyer in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 by Illinois Super Lawyers, a distinction given to less than 5% of all attorneys across Illinois, regardless of age. In turn, Chicago Law Bulletin Media named Jim as a Leading Lawyer (2022, 2023) for the same award (top 5% of all attorneys in Illinois). Finally, Jim was extremely honored to have been selected in 2020 as a “Top 40 Under 40 Illinois Attorneys To Watch” by the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and Chicago Lawyer Magazine, an award which covers attorneys in all areas of law, across Illinois. Jim has recovered many millions for injured clients through settlement, mediation, and jury verdicts over this same time period, leading 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

• $15,000,000.00 settlement on behalf of several mattress retailers in In re: Polyurethane Foam Antitrust Litigation (N.D. Ohio), a federal class action lawsuit involving 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.
• $2,000,000.00 settlement on behalf of a 32-year-old military veteran who was injured by a vehicle while riding his motorcycle in Chicago, suffering a leg fracture.
• $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 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.
• $1,000,000.00 settlement on behalf of the estate of a 34-year-old man who fell onto the elevated tracks while intoxicated at a CTA train station in Chicago, after security failed to identify him and remove him from the station.
• $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, suffering disputed spinal and head injuries.
• $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, after the driver failed to secure her wheelchair inside the vehicle.
• $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.
• $722,500.00 settlement on behalf of a 90-year-old woman, an 85-year-old woman, and a 63-year-old woman injured when a stolen construction company pickup truck crashed into their parked vehicle at high speed in Chicago.
• $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, suffering disputed knee and shoulder injuries.
• $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 Franklin County.  
• $600,000.00 settlement on behalf of a 63-year-old man who suffered an infection after undergoing total ankle replacement surgery. Defendant Chicago-area hospital and Chicago-area podiatrist failed to recognize and timely treat an infection that developed at the surgical site, leading to additional surgeries and treatment.
• $600,000.00 settlement on behalf of a 52-year-old woman who slipped and fell in a puddle of water at a Streamwood big box retailer, suffering a lumbar spinal injury that required surgery.
• $505,000.00 settlement on behalf of a 55-year-old woman who suffered neck injuries while riding in a golf cart in Winnebago County.
• $500,000.00 settlement on behalf of a 40-year-old male security camera installer, who slipped and fell off a ladder while installing cameras on the exterior of a condominium property in Des Plaines, suffering severe facial fractures.
• $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 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.
• $90,000.00 Cook County jury verdict on behalf of a 43-year-old woman that suffered injuries to her cheek and mouth following a motor vehicle collision in Chicago’s Loop, where she was a passenger in a taxicab. Jury awarded verdict three times the settlement amount offered by the defendant taxicab company prior to trial.
• Previously served as City of Chicago Special Assistant Corporation Counsel in a number of administrative trials involving Chicago Police Department officers before the CPD’s Police Board. One such Police Board trial was profiled on WBEZ, Chicago’s National Public Radio (NPR) affiliate, in a series of online news articles published in February and May 2013. Successfully secured a guilty finding against both officers for their conduct in this trial, which violated CPD rules and regulations.

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.

Civic Organizations

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.