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Jonathan Eric James
About Jonathan
Biography
The Law Office of Jonathan James, LLC, was founded and is managed by Illinois Criminal Defense Attorney Jonathan James. Mr. James graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Clemson University where he received several awards including Dean’s List, President’s List and was a member of the Upsilon Pi Epsilon Honor Society. After graduating from Clemson, Mr. James spent several years working in the technology industry as a software engineer and network administrator. Mr. James attended Northern Illinois University College of Law where he graduated with a degree of Juris Doctor. While attending Law School, Mr. James gained valuable experience by working in the Winnebago County State’s Attorney’s Office where he helped prosecute DUI and traffic offenses. Since opening his office in downtown Rockford, Illinois, Mr. James has represented clients throughout Illinois in felony, misdemeanor and traffic cases.
Practice Areas
4
Practice Areas
DUI and DWI
50%
13 years
Criminal Defense
25%
13 years
Domestic Violence
20%
13 years
Sex Crime
5%
13 years
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Illinois for 13 years
State: Illinois
Acquired: 2012
No misconduct found
Location
Law Office of Jonathan James
416 E State St, Rockford, IL, 61104
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Jonathan Eric James's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
16 Client Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (16)
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Practice Areas
Showing 11 - 15 of 16 reviews
Posted by Charles | May 04, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Car Accidents
Great lawyer
I had just recently moved out to the Rockford area. One night when I was driving in a snow storm, I witnessed a car spin out into a ditch, I put my hazard lights on and pulled over to the shoulder of the road. When I got out to offer my assistance, I was struck from behind by another vehicle. The po...
Posted by anonymous | April 20, 2017 | Hired Attorney
Excellent attorney
He is very interested in helping his clients to get the best results possible. He listens and the responds to the situation. He is very well versed in the local laws and his personality is very laid back. He is really easy to talk to as well. I would not hesitate to recommend him to my family and fri...
Posted by anonymous | January 18, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
Prepared for Trial and Won.
Took my case all the way to trial and got a not guilty verdict. Very knowledgeable and well prepared. Works for his client.
Posted by Lavender | September 04, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
Concise, Well-Equipped, Pro-Active
Class 4 Felony case-lived out of state. Able to negotiate transfer of probation and confidantly handled remainder of case. Definitely recommended and would use again!
Posted by Jess | September 02, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Speeding & Traffic Ticket
Highly Reccomend!
Jonathan James quickly and easily assisted me with a traffic violation where I was ticketed. He is responsive and professional as well as knowledgeable and hard working. Mr James understood my busy schedule and I only had to appear in court once, at which time my ticket was dismissed. I would highly ...
Jonathan Eric James's Lawyer Endorsements
"Attorney Jonathan James is an experienced criminal defense attorney. If you are charged with DUI in Rockford, you should not hesitate to call him. He regularly appears in court in Winnebago and surrounding counties. As a result, he knows all local rules and how to resolve your case. He is also a friendly and easy-going person. I endorse Attorney James and can recommend him to anybody who is facing criminal charges in Winnebago, Boone and Ogle counties."
"One of the most knowledgeable attorneys I have had the honor to work with. He goes above and beyond to get the best outcomes for his clients."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Mr. James is a very approachable and well respected attorney, I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney James works to provide his clients with informed and experienced legal representation and top-tier customer service."
"I endorse this lawyer. He is experienced with criminal defense and DUI cases, and he also does OPs and expungements. Offers very reasonable rates and will explain everything to you in detail about your case."
"I endorse this lawyer. Jon is a zealous advocate for his clients. He is very hard working, intelligent, and always prepared. He is a fantastic criminal defense attorney."
"I've had the pleasure of knowing and working with Jonathan James for a number of years. His knowledge and dedication makes him one of the top attorneys in Rockford. I would not hesitate to recommend him to friends and family."
"Jonathan James is a fantastic attorney with wide-ranging experience. He is peerless in both legal knowledge and his dedication to his clients."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I'm a prosecutor that has worked with Mr. James in the past. We went to law school together, and competed in a trial competition. Defense attorneys rarely get an endorsement from me, but James is an exception. James knows his field of practice, and does something few defense attorneys do: he bounces ideas off his prosecutor friends in other jurisdictions. So if you hire James, you aren't just getting his outstanding experience, you're getting that of his network of prosecuting attorney friends as well. James gets his clients the best deals possible, be it a reduced sentence or a dismissal. He doesn't just take what the prosecutor offers. I've been up against a lot of lazy defense attorneys in my career, and James is not one of them. If there is a weakness in the State's case he will find it and exploit it."
"Jonathan is a knowledgeable and hard working attorney and I endorse him especially for his criminal defense work and for his work on DUI's."
"Great DUI lawyer with significant experience"
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Experience
Honors
2019
Top 100, National Trial Lawyers
2018
10 Best for Client Satisfaction, American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys
2018
Top 10% in the USA, Lawyers of Distinction
2018
10 Best Law Firms, American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys
2018
Top 40 Under 40, National Trial Lawyers
2017
Top 10% in the USA, Lawyers of Distinction
2017
10 Best for Client Satisfaction, American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys
2017
Top 40 Under 40, National Trial Lawyers
2016
Top 40 Under 40, National Trial Lawyers
2016
Top 10 Under 40, National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys
Work Experience
2015 - Present
Attorney, Law Office of Jonathan James
2014 - 2015
Attorney, Law Office of Amato and Sheen
2012 - 2014
Attorney, Law Office of James Moore
2011 - 2012
711 Attorney, Winnebago County State's Attorney's Office
Associations
2018 - Present
Winnebago County Bar AssociationMember
2018 - Present
National College of DUI DefenseMember
2012 - Present
Illinois State Bar AssociationMember
Sample of Legal Cases
DUI - Boone County
Case Dismissed
DUI - DeKalb County
Not Guilty
Distribution of Cannabis - Jo Daviess County
Case Dismissed
DUI - DeKalb County
Not Guilty
DUI - Freeport
Case Dismissed
DUI Boone County
Case Dismissed
Solicitation Rockford
Not Guilty
Domestic Battery Freeport
Not Guilty
Possession of a Controlled Substance - Rockford
Case Dismissed
Drug Possession Freeport
Case Dismissed
DUI Rockford
Not Guilty
Education
2012
Northern Illinois University College of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
2002
Clemson University
BS - Bachelor of Science
Speaking Engagements
2016
Guest Speaker at Rockford Career College Paralegal Program
Criminal Defense Law
Publications
2019
Defending Domestic Battery
Defending Domestic Battery - Legal Strategiest for Avoiding a Domestic Battery Conviction in Illinois
2017
Defending DUI
Defending DUI - Defense Strategies for DUI in Illinois
Languages
English
Spanish
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides