Attorney James Vlahakis has over 27 years of legal experience, with nearly 20 years having represented corporations, creditors, governmental employees and employers.

Mr. Vlahakis has prosecuted and defended several hundred state and federal court lawsuits. In 2017, Mr. Vlahakis left the corporate side to join a small boutique firm to represent consumers and employees.

Mr. Vlahakis started his career at a boutique firm that specialized in defending civil rights cases brought against police officers and governmental officials. Thereafter, he joined Hinshaw & Culbertson, LLP where he expanded his practice into the defense of class actions and the representation of employers, debt collectors and telemarketers. One of his proudest moments at Hinshaw was obtaining a $1.4 million dollar verdict for a deputy police chief who was wrongfully suspended. Representing a plaintiff in this manner was a rare exception to Mr. Vlahakis practice which involved defending individuals and corporations accused of misconduct. The happiness he gained with this victory (and upholding this victory on appeal) helped lead him to switch sides and help consumers and employees.

While at Hinshaw, Mr. Vlahakis was recognized as a "40 Under Forty" attorney by the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin. In his nomination papers, one client descripted him as follows:

“Particularly impressive is James' ability to maintain, what I can only describe as, confident control over the litigation. Never daunted by the odds, it is in face of greatest adversity that James rallies the strongest. He is rock solid in his representation and is well-respected amongst his colleagues."

As discussed below, Mr. Vlahakis' 40 Under Forty award was somewhat unique in that a majority of his nomination came from opposing counsel in high-stakes cases that Mr. Vlahakis had litigated.

Being respected by the attorneys that we litigate against helps us to achieve exceptional results for our clients. Here is how three different opposing counsel described Mr. Vlahakis, leading to his "40 Under Forty" award:

“Vlahakis exemplifies the characteristics that remind us, and the public, of who we are and what we stand for as lawyers. No doubt he is destined for great accomplishments professionally in the years to come.”