What makes a trial lawyer different? A trial lawyer is skilled at negotiation and presentation skills that are necessary in litigious situations. While some attorneys specialize in a practice area such as business or real estate, a trial lawyer may handle complex litigation across several areas of law. For example, a business lawyer may focus strictly on business startups, negotiating and drafting partnership agreements, articles of incorporation, bylaws and other contracts or documents. A trial attorney, on the other hand, may handle startups but also may represent businesses facing litigation, such as a vendor or customer dispute, or contentious dissolution of a partnership.

With more than 20 years experience as an Illinois trial attorney, Joseph P. McCaffery has tried hundreds of jury and bench trials, an extraordinary number among his peers.  He has the negotiation and presentation skills, as well as the deep knowledge of court process and case law that make a difference in court and in pre-trial negotiations. His firm specializes in crisis litigation – where a client’s liberty or property is at severe risk.

Through his experience as a Chicago, Illinois, litigator and as an arbitrator for Cook County, Joe can provide guidance as to when it’s in a client’s best interest to pursue a jury or bench trial, or to negotiate a plea or settlement.  

Joe also understands the pressures a lawsuit can bring on an individual or business. He can outline the typical steps or milestones in litigation so clients have a clear understanding of the process.

Through his experience, Joe and his team of litigators can assess the strengths and weaknesses of a case and guide clients through decisions to resolve a case in a timely and cost-effective manner.

Some types of litigation this Illinois law firm frequently handles include:  

• Business and corporate transactions
• Business Torts
• Consumer Fraud
• Contracts and commercial disputes
• Corporate law and partnership disputes
• Criminal defense
• Divorce, child custody and other related family law matters
• Health care law and health care litigation
• Medical malpractice and medical negligence
• Mortgage fraud and foreclosure
• Personal injury and wrongful death litigation
• Professional liability litigation
• Residential and commercial real estate litigation

Federal and State Appellate Cases

Even when a trial is complete, when the verdict is in and the jury has gone home, an opponent may appeal or submit a motion to vacate a finding.

Many of the skills that make a good trial lawyer also make a strong appellate attorney, particularly the skills and experience that apply to court procedure.

If you are considering filing an appeal, contact  Illinois law firm Joseph P. McCaffery & Associates today.  Attorneys with the firm are licensed in Federal Court, as well as in Illinois. 

Joseph P. McCaffery & Associates
with offices in Aurora, Chicago and Lombard, Ill.
Office hours (weekday, evening and weekend) by appointment only.
Phone 630-801-8691 to schedule a free initial consultatation.
Joseph P. McCaffery & Associates serves clients worldwide with interests in Illinois. 
The practice spans Northern Illinois including Chicago and surrounding suburbs such as Aurora, Naperville, Waukegan, Elgin, Joliet, Schaumburg, Rolling Meadows, Skokie, Arlington Heights, Palatine and Bolingbrook, and Central/Southern Illinois.

The firm serves clients before the Northern District U.S. Court and courts in Cook County and
the Collar Counties of Kane County, DuPage County, Lake County, McHenry County, Will County, DeKalb County and Kendall County, Illinois.