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James S. Harkness
Downers Grove, Illinois
| Partner |
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| phone | (630) 434-0400 |
| fax | (630) 434-0444 |
| This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | |
James S. Harkness, born Des Moines, Iowa , January 7, 1971. Admitted to Illinois Bar 1996; U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit 1999; U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois 1997; and U.S. District Court, District of Colorado 1999. Education: Valparaiso University School of Law, J.D., 1996; Valparaiso University, B.A. in political science and philosophy, 1993, as well as studying in Cambridge, England . Jim's practice areas include commercial and business litigation, class actions, construction litigation, and employment law, at both the state and federal levels.
Jim has participated in jury trials and conducted numerous bench trials and mediations in state and federal court to obtain favorable judgments and directed verdicts. His achievements include dismissal of claims against large corporate entities in the Illinois Supreme Court, dismissals and summary judgment rulings of all claims against large commercial clients in state and federal courts, enforcing copyright entitlements in federal court, obtaining $900,000.00 judgment at trial, on counterclaim, with dismissal of all claims against venture capital client in federal court, and dismissal of all claims in class action against a billion dollar business. His reported cases include: Nielsen v. Dickerson, 1999 WL 754566 (N.D.Ill. 1999) and Nielsen v. Dickerson, 1999 WL 350649 (N.D.Ill. 1999); In re Jackson, 1999 WL 703093 (Bankr. N.D.Ill., 1999); Pikes v. Riddle, 38 F.Supp.2d 639 (N.D.Ill. 1998); Miller v. Wexler & Wexler, 1998 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 1382 (N.D.Ill. Feb. 5, 98); Cemail v. Viking Dodge, Inc.; 982 F.Supp. 1296 (N.D.Ill. Oct 28. 97); Cemail v. Viking Dodge, Inc., 1997 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 17071 (N.D.Ill. Oct. 28, 97); Hobson v. Lincoln Insurance Agency, Inc., 2000 WL 1279334 (N.D.Ill. 2000).
He is also a certified arbitrator in DuPage County, Illinois, as well as serving as the 2006 Vice Chairman of the DuPage County Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee, 2007 Chairman of the DuPage County Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee, and the acting Vice Chairman for the 2007 Civil Practice Committee, and an active member of the DuPage County Bar Association and American Inns of Courts-DuPage Chapter.
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Associations:
Currently appointed Special Assistant State's Attorney for the County of Kendall, Illinois, for landfill litigation and appeals.
Lisle Chamber of Commerce General Counsel and Executive Board Member, 2009 - Current
DuPage County Bar Association:
2006 – 2008 Chairman and Vice Chairman of Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee;
2007 – 2009 Chairman and Vice Chairman of Civil Practice Committee;
2009 – Current Cairman and Vice Chairman and Professional Responsibility Committee.Peer and merit-based election to Illinois Super Lawyers Rising Star for two consecutive years in 2010 and 2011
Areas of Practice:
Employment Law
Commercial Litigation
Construction Litigation
Insurance Coverage
Bar Admissions:
Illinois, 1996
U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois, 1997
U.S. District Court District of Colorado, 1999
U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit, 1999
Valparaiso University School of Law, Valparaiso, Indiana, 1996
J.D.Valparaiso University, 1993
B.A.
Major: Political Science and Philosophy
Nielsen v. Dickerson, 1999 WL 754566 (Northern District of Illinois 1999)
Nielsen v. Dickerson, 1999 WL 350649 (Northern District of Illinois 1999)
In Re. Jackson, 1999 WL 703093 (United States Bankruptcy Court, Northern District Illinois 1999)
Pikes v. Riddle, 38 F.Supp.2d 639 (Northern District of Illinois 1998)
Miller v. Wexler & Wexler, 1998 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 1382 (Northern District of Illinois 1998)
Cemail v. Viking Dodge, Inc., 982 F.Supp. 1296 (Northern District of Illinois 1997)
Cemail v. Viking Dodge, Inc., 1997 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 17071 (Northern District of Illinois 1997)
Hobson v. Lincoln Insurance Agency, Inc., 2000 WL 1279334 (Northern District of Illinois 2000)Stucchi USA, Inc. v. HyQuip, Inc., No. 09-CV-732 (E.D.Wi., 2010):
As lead counsel, obtained cessation of competition in launch of custom hydraulics part distribution and complete dismissal of all counterclaims and third-party claims asserted against Stucchi USA and Stucchi SpA in custom designed hydraulics parts distribution dispute by asserting declaratory action, temporary restraining order, and motion to dismiss counterclaims and third party claims.
Artisan Design Build v. Bilstrom, 397 Ill.App.3d 317, 922 N.E.2d 361 (2nd Dist., 2009):
As lead counsel, petition for leave to appeal accepted and pending to Illinois Supreme Court. Obtained dismissal of all claims by contractor against homeowners in trial court under newly created Illinois Home Repair and Remodeling Act, including order striking contractor demand for arbitration, and prosecuted through appeal to Second District and now Illinois Supreme Court.
