Call (312) 955-0545
James Ormond
Associate Attorney
Jim’s career prior to joining Hart McLaughlin & Eldridge involved representation of individuals and corporations in a variety of personal injury and civil rights matters. Jim has served as trial attorney on over 45 cases, including wrongful death, paramedic malpractice, motor vehicle, police pursuit, premises liability, police shooting, malicious prosecution and other catastrophic injury claims. Jim also has had responsibility overseeing teams of attorneys handling cases in these same practice areas.
Throughout his career, Jim has been actively involved in activities with the Chicago Bar Association, with services as Co-Chair of Young Lawyer’s Section, Trial Techniques Committee and as a Special Projects Coordinator. Jim has shared his experience through his career as speaker or moderator on subjects such as Voir Dire, Police Pursuit Litigation and Trials, Taking and Defending Depositions, and Post-Trial Motion Practice before the Chicago Bar Association and in other legal education programs. He has also been involved with the Notre Dame Club of Chicago and served as a regular volunteer preparing meals for the Ronald McDonald House of Chicago on a monthly basis.
Practice Areas
Education
- Emory University, B. A.
- Notre Dame Law School, J.D.
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
- Illinois, 2001
- Ohio, 1998
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio, 1998
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois, 2009 (Trial Bar)
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Illinois, 2024
Awards & Recognition
Professional & Civic Organizations
- Chicago Bar Association
- Notre Dame Club of Chicago
Speaking Engagements
- Moderator, “Direct and Cross Examination Techniques and Strategies of Winning at Trial,” May 9, 2007, Chicago Bar Association Seminar
- Moderator, “Taking and Defending Depositions in Anticipation of Trial: Battles That Are Won Before They Are Fought,” September 14, 2006, Chicago Bar Association Seminar
- Moderator, “Strategic Drafting: Requests to Admit, Motions in Limine and Jury Instructions,” May 10, 2006, Chicago Bar Association Seminar
- Moderator, “Introduction to Post-Trial Motion Practice,” June 15, 2005, Chicago Bar Association Seminar
- Presenter, City of Chicago, Department of Law, “Voir Dire - Navigating the Legal Issues,” June 2016
- Presenter, City of Chicago, Department of Law, “Defending Police Pursuit Cases,” March 2017
- Presenter, City of Chicago, Department of Law, “NITA Deposition Training,” May 2017
Notable Results
- Successful Verdicts (Bodily Injury): Jim has had many notable defense jury verdicts as a trial attorney for the City of Chicago prior to joining HME, including over twenty outright defense verdicts, three of which include wrongful death actions.
- Hazing Settlement (Mass Tort): Jim represented former players from Northwestern University in litigation against the university and Patrick Fitzgerald concerning allegations related to hazing and abuse, which claims resolved pursuant to a confidential settlement agreement.
