James P. McLane, III
Top rated Personal Injury attorney in Addison, Illinois
Law Offices of James P. McLane
Practice areas: Personal Injury, DUI-DWI, Criminal Defense; view more
Licensed in Illinois since: 2005
Education: California Western School of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2021 - 2027 Call today:
312-910-0724
Free Consultation Law Offices of James P. McLane
715 W Lake StSuite 101
Addison, IL 60101 Visit website
In the bustling legal landscape of Addison, Illinois, at the Driver Defense Team, stands James P. McLane III, a legal virtuoso with over two decades of experience. More than just an attorney, he is a strategic architect in the realms of civil, criminal and personal injury law. With over 25 cases tried to verdict, his trial experience spans personal injury, criminal defense and appellate law.
Mr. McLane has defended clients in serious criminal cases, including attempted murder, sexual assault and mortgage fraud. His work with the California Innocence Project and impactful rulings on Illinois discovery rules underscore his commitment to justice. He isn't just known for his sharp analytical skills and innovative legal strategies; he's celebrated for his unwavering commitment to his clients. He has earned his stripes as a highly capable litigator, skillfully navigating both high-stakes criminal defense and intricate civil litigation.
But Mr. McLane's competence doesn't end in the courtroom. As a seasoned negotiator, he excels in mediation and arbitration, securing favorable settlements in diverse cases, from auto accidents to business disputes. At the Driver Defense Team, he channels his deep understanding of traffic and criminal law into crafting strategic defenses for clients facing DUI and other driving-related offenses.
A graduate of California Western School of Law (2003), Mr. McLane was admitted to practice in California (2004) and Illinois (2005). His credentials extend to the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and the United States Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit. His academic foundation includes degrees from California State University at Fullerton and the University of California Santa Barbara.
An active member of the Federal Trial Bar, Mr. McLane boasts an Avvo rating of 9.8 and accolades such as Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyers in Illinois by the National Trial Lawyers, the Best DUI Lawyers in Schaumburg by Expertise and Top 40 Under 40 in Illinois by the American Society of Legal Advocates.
Practice areas
Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff, Criminal Defense: DUI/DWI, Criminal DefenseFocus areas
Animal Bites, Arrest & Arraignment, Assault & Battery, Brain Injury, Construction Accident, Criminal Domestic Violence, Criminal Fraud, Criminal Law, DUI/DWI, Drug & Alcohol Violations, Expungement, Felony, Juvenile Delinquency, Misdemeanor, Motor Vehicle Accidents, Motor Vehicle Offenses, Murder, Personal Injury - Plaintiff, Premises Liability - Plaintiff, Sex Offenses, Sexual Abuse - Plaintiff, Theft, Traffic Violations, Trucking Accidents, Wrongful Death
- 70% Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff
- 20% Criminal Defense: DUI/DWI
- 10% Criminal Defense
First Admitted: 2004, California
Bar / Professional Activity
- Admitted to the Federal Trial Bar for the Northern District of Illinois. , 2018
- Admitted to the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, 2011
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, 2005
- Admitted to the Illinois State Bar, 2005
- Admitted to California Bar. , 2004
Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)
- Tomoiaga, et. al. v. Matute et. al. Practice Area:Trucking accident/Wrongful Death Outcome:$2,000,000.00 Description:Trucking accident with two deaths and multiple injuries. Matter was settled at pretrial conference after lawsuit was filed in the Southern District of Illinois.
- Ulloa v. Sunrise Electric Practice Area:Car accident Outcome:$317,500.00 Description:Client sustained low back injuries following a rear end collison which required multiple steroid injections. Case was settled during litigation.
- Schroeder v. Bausch & Lomb Practice Area:Personal injury: Outcome:$850,000.00 Description: Client suffered a fusarium keratitis infection in his right eye from use of a contact lens solution that was defective. Plaintiff required corneal transplant to resolve his issues. Matter was resolved after filing suit in Chicago which was transferred to Federal Court Multi-District Litigation Calendar.
Representative Clients
- Lance Jones v. Milton "Lil Rel" Howery-Represented actor, Milton "Lil Rel" Howery in a civil battery claim asserted by Plaintiff, Lance Jones, arising out of an altercation that occurred after the automobile Mr. Howery was riding in ran into the back of Plaintiff, Jones's car. At the time of representation, there was a $250,000.00 default judgment entered against Mr. Howery that was vacated on motion. Subsequent to discovery, the matter was resolved pursuant to settlement between the parties with no admission of liability by Mr. Howery. Mr. Howery is known for his role as Michael Carmichael in The Carmichael Show as well as TSA officer Rod Williams in the film Get Out. , 2017
- Mulero v. Thompson- 715 F. Supp. 2d 1009 (ND. IL 2010), 668 F. 3rd 529 2012, 133 S. Ct. 1000 2013 Local Counsel for Defendant, Marilyn Mulero alongside attorneys Justin Brooks, Jan Stiglitz, and Alex Simpson of the California Innocence Project on Ms. Mulero's Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus before the Federal District Court of the Northern District of Illinois as well as the Unites States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. Ms. Mulero and two other women were accused of luring two Latin King gang members to Humbolt Park, where they were both shot in the back of the head on May 12, 1992. Ms. Mulero, then 21 pleaded guilty to first degree murder after being coerced into confessing and sentenced to death in 1993 for the murders without trial. Ms. Mulero was later granted clemency in October of 2019 by Governor Pritzker after spending 26 years in prison for a crime she didn't commit. Ms. Mulero's case is mentioned in detail in Hollywood box office release, Brian Banks. , 2010
Pro bono / Community Service
- Victor Patterson v. Cook County Sheriff, Tom Dart et. al. Represented Plaintiff, then an inmate at Cook County Jail, in a section 1983 action pursuant to appointment as his attorney by the Federal Court, Northern District of Illinois.
Educational Background
- Bachelors of Arts in Political Science from California State University at Fullerton, 2001
- Bachelors of Arts in Law and Society from the University of California at Santa Barbara, 1997
Other Outstanding Achievements
- Case: People of the State of Illinois v. John Tsiamas, Appelllate Court Case no: 2015 IL App (2d) 140859. Description: Argued as counsel of record before the Illinois Appellate Court for the Second District on behalf of Defendant, John Tsiamas. Appellate ruling resulted in the expansion of existing law relating to what is discoverable to a defendant prior to a Petition to Rescind Statutory Summary Suspension. The appellate ruling now makes a booking room video, or any other video or recording that was taken during a defendant's arrest discoverable, and any destruction of the recording by the State subsequent to a defendant's discovery request is sanctionable. , 2015
Honors
- Super Lawyer, Illinois Super Lawyers, 2021–2025
- Top 40 Under 40 in Illinois, American Society of Legal Advocates, 2014–2015
- Avvo Rating 9.8–Superb Attorney
- Best DUI Lawyers in Schaumburg, Expertise, 2021
- Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyers in Illinois, The National Trial Lawyers, 2021
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2021 - 2027
