Cochran, Cherry, Givens, Smith & Montgomery, L.L.C.

Areas of Expertise

Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice, Municipal Law, Criminal Defense, Civil Rights

Organization Profile

The Law Firm of Cochran, Cherry, Givens, Smith & Montgomery, P.C., located in Chicago, Illinois, is the product of a merger between James D. Montgomery & Associates and the Cochran Law Firm. The result is the nation's largest plaintiffs' personal injury law firm. The firm focuses on civil litigation and remains dedicated to representing the victims of catastrophic accidents, medical malpractice, fraud, discrimination and other areas of personal damages. The firm's lawyers are committed to achieving the goal of providing the highest quality legal representation available in their areas of practice. The firm's partners have been recognized by the renowned legal publication, The National Law Journal, as outstanding trial lawyers. The Law Firm of Cochran, Cherry, Givens, Smith & Montgomery is known throughout the country for its ability to successfully manage high-profile sophisticated and complex civil litigation in both federal and state courts. The firm's lawyers are tough and aggressive litigators who are always prepared to move quickly. Their focus is on serving their clients. The lawyers have a reputation for being thoroughly prepared and as a result the firm has a history of recovering substantial awards for its clients. In 2001, the firm obtained a settlement of $18,000,000 for non-economic damages in a wrongful death case. This is the highest such award in the history of Cook County.

The Law Firm of Cochran, Cherry, Givens, Smith & Montgomery has never been afraid to take on controversial clients or cases. Mr. Montgomery, who heads the Chicago office of the firm, has 46 years experience as a trial lawyer and he has established a rich tradition of aggressively representing individuals and the families of individuals who have suffered catastrophic injuries or death. The firm is committed to protecting the rights and welfare of the individual, tenaciously advocating on behalf of its clients, and doing everything it can to make the client’s experience with the legal process as free from emotional and personal frustration as possible.

The Law Firm of Cochran, Cherry, Givens, Smith & Montgomery is a nationwide practice with a network of personal injury lawyers throughout the country.

Professional Background

James D. Montgomery, Esquire. Named one of Chicago's 30 Toughest Lawyers by Chicago Magazine , James D. Montgomery career spans nearly one-half century. This seasoned litigator is respected and admired throughout national legal, professional, and academic circles.

In 1983, Mr. Montgomery was appointed Corporation Counsel for the City of Chicago, under the late Mayor Harold Washington, where he supervised a legal staff of over 190 lawyers . Also in 1983, he was named a Fellow of the prestigious, invitation-only, International Academy of Trial Lawyers. Presently, he is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, the Chicago Bar Association, the Illinois State Bar Association and has previously served as president of the Cook County Bar Association. Mr. Montgomery has served on numerous advisory groups and committees: The Civil Justice Expense and Delay Advisory Group for the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and the Judicial Evaluation Committees for the State and Federal Courts, just to name a few. He was recently appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court as Chairman of a panel of the Capital Litigation Trial Bar, that screens candidates who seek to defend capital cases.

In 1999, the Illinois Academy of Lawyers inducted Mr. Montgomery as a Laureate in the Academy. As described in its bylaws, a Laureate must personify the greatness of the legal profession and help to establish and maintain its highest principles through a pervasive record of service to the law, the profession and to the public. In addition to his professional activities, Mr. Montgomery is a frequent lecturer in various seminars and trial skills workshops all over the country. He taught a trial advocacy class at DePaul University Law School and trial skills workshops for the National College of Criminal Defense Lawyers. He participated in a week-long trial advocacy workshop at Harvard Law School in Cambridge, Massachusetts in January and in the Fall of 1993. Mr. Montgomery has taught several times at the University of Chicago Law School for its Intensive Trial Practice Workshop.

James D. Montgomery earned his B.A. in Political Science from the University of Illinois in 1953. Mr. Montgomery earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Illinois Law School in 1956. He is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth and Seventh Circuits, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, and the State of Illinois. Mr. Montgomery has also appeared before several other federal and state courts on particular cases.

In March 2000, Mr. Montgomery teamed up with famed attorney, Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr., to form Cochran, Cherry, Givens, Smith & Montgomery, L.L.C. Referred to as the Dynamic Duo, the team of Cochran and Montgomery lead one of the most prolific personal injury firms in Chicago and throughout the country.

Education/Awards

  • B.A. in Political Science from the University of Illinois
  • Juris Doctor from the University of Illinois Law School

Honors:

  • Fellow, International Academy of Trial Lawyers, 1983 - Present

Business/Community Affiliations

  • Associate, American Board of Trial Advocates, 1993 - Present

Certifications

  • Illinois, 1956
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit, 1960
  • U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois, 1957