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James M. Smith
also known as Jim Smith
About James
Biography
Jim Smith is a nationally recognized consumer protection attorney with two decades of experience holding credit reporting agencies, banks, and debt collectors accountable. As co-founder of Fair Credit Attorneys, Jim focuses on cases involving inaccurate credit reporting, identity theft, and violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
Before launching the firm, Jim spent over 14 years litigating class actions on behalf of consumers nationwide. In 2019, he partnered with longtime mentor Richard Doherty to build a firm dedicated to helping individuals correct credit reporting errors and pursue meaningful relief when those errors cause real-life harm.
Jim believes no one should be denied housing, employment, or financial opportunity because of inaccurate credit data. His practice blends aggressive legal advocacy with practical guidance, and he frequently works alongside family law attorneys and financial professionals to support clients navigating divorce and identity theft recovery.
Practice Areas
1
Practice Area
Consumer Protection
100%
20 years
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Illinois for 20 years
State: Illinois
Acquired: 2005
No misconduct found
Licensed in Wisconsin for 7 years
State: Wisconsin
Acquired: 2018
No misconduct found
Licensed in Michigan for 8 years
State: Michigan
Acquired: 2017
No misconduct found
Location
Fair Credit Attorneys
7000 W. 127th Street, Palos Heights, IL, 60462
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James M. Smith's Reviews
Showing 1 - 3 of 3 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Erik | May 29, 2019 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Owner/Broker
Jim has worked with my clients in purchasing or selling their home over the past several years. He brings enthusiasm for doing the job right. Jim gives our clients a piece of mind during the stressful transaction of buying or selling their home, which is the ultimate goal. His knowledge of the ins...
Posted by Mike | May 23, 2019 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Highly Recommend Attorney
Jim Smith was our closing attorney through the process of both selling and buying our home and we cannot say enough about him. We had a short turnaround after selling our house quickly but Jim’s knowledge and efficiency made this a stress free experience for us. He worked really well with the real ...
Posted by Mike | May 23, 2019 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Sale of my mother’s house.
We hired Mr Smith to help with the sale of my mother’s house. He helped us to negotiate the price and got us through a few roadblocks. He was also very helpful at the closing, explaining all the documents we had to sign. We were pleased enough that we recommended him to others.
James M. Smith's Lawyer Endorsements
No Endorsement Data Available Yet
This attorney hasn't received any attorney endorsements recently on Avvo.
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This attorney hasn't created any attorney endorsements recently on Avvo.
Experience
Work Experience
2018 - Present
Owner/Partner, Doherty Smith, LLC
2008 - 2018
Attorney, Bock Law Firm, LLC
2005 - 2008
Attorney, Horwitz Horwitz & Associates
Associations
2010 - Present
Illinois State Bar Association
2005 - Present
National Association of Consumer Advocates
Education
2005
John Marshall Law School
2000
Lewis University
Criminal Social Justice
Languages
English