Joseph T. Morrison is a trial lawyer, and his focus lies in resolving complex business, commercial, injury, and real estate cases. In fact, Joe has been called the “trial lawyer’s trial lawyer,” having represented a number of attorneys who were parties to various types of litigation. Practicing for over 4 decades, Joe has tried over 100 jury cases, including complex business and real estate cases, as well as medical malpractice, wrongful death, and other serious personal injury cases. Other jury trials have involved damage to real estate, fraud, partnership, and other business disputes, cases of deceptive and faulty construction practices, breach of contract, and eminent domain. Joe regularly appears in Chancery Court involving partnership disputes, commercial litigation, real estate disputes, employment matters, and injunction actions. Joe has also handled numerous bench trials in cases involving employment disputes, real estate issues, injunctions, and zoning cases, and personally appears in court weekly. Joe’s experience has resulted in a total value obtained of well over $100 million dollars in verdicts and settlements. He has handled cases involving millions of dollars, as well as only thousands of dollars. Each case, no matter how much is involved, is important to him.

Joe has also handled dozens of Appellate and Supreme Court cases and has personally written briefs and argued before the Illinois Supreme Court, the 7th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals, and the 1st and 2nd District Appellate Courts of Illinois. Joe has also tried dozens of eminent domain cases before a jury and a number of those cases involved verdicts in excess of $1 million. He has represented a variety of public bodies, including the Lake County Forest Preserve District, Village of Deerfield, Buffalo Grove Park District, Village of Lincolnshire, Village of Antioch, and other municipalities. Joe has represented numerous owners in eminent domain cases and has tried a number of those jury cases to verdict, resulting in awards far in excess of the compensation offered by the public body.

Joe is married to Senator Julie Morrison who has been in the Illinois State Senate for over 7 years.

Education

  • DePaul University
    J.D. | 1982

  • Knox College
    B.A. | 1979
    Major: Biology

Awards

  • Leading Lawyers | 2023
    Civil Appellate Law
    Commercial Litigation
    Governmental, Municipal, Lobbying & Administrative Law
    Land Use, Zoning & Condemnation Law
    Personal Injury Law: General

  • Martindale-Hubbell’s “AV” Rating for Legal Ability and Ethics: Highest Level | 2005-Present

  • Avvo Rating: 10 | 2019-Present

  • ALM Chicago’s Top Rated Lawyers | 2012-2015

  • “Busiest Trial Lawyer in Illinois” Illinois Jury Verdict Reporter | 1990

  • “Outstanding Young Men of America” | 1987

Martindale NoloAvvo Superb Top Attorney Criminal Defense








Professional Associations + Memberships

  • Illinois Trial Lawyers Association | Member

  • Illinois Bar Association | Member

  • Illinois Bar Association | Assembly, 2012-2018

  • Lake County Bar Association | Member

  • Lake County Bar Foundation | Board Member, 2019-Present

  • Lake County Bar Association | Chair of the Civil Trial Committee, 1993-1995

  • Lake County Bar Association | Chair of Judicial Selection and Retention Committee, 1989-1992; 1997-1999

Pro Bono Activities

  • Holy Cross School Board
    Member | 1991-1997
    Chairperson | 1993-1995

  • Holy Cross Church Pastoral Council
    Member | 2000-2008
    Chairperson | 2006-2008

Published Works

  • “Damages in Products Liability Cases, a Chapter in Products Liability Practice”
    lllinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education | 2009-2019

  • “Quick-Take Supplement,” a supplement to the Quick-Take chapter in Illinois Eminent Domain Practice,
    Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education | 1998

  • “General Real Estate Practice,” a Chapter in General Practice Handbook
    lllinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education | 1986

  • “Motions in Limine: Can the Practice Be Made Perfect?”
    Article in The Docket, Vol. 1, No. 2

Speaking Engagements

  • “How to Challenge the Right to Take”
    CLE International Seminar | 2008

  • “Requirements of New Eminent Domain Statute”
    CLE International Seminar | 2007

  • “Settlement Issues in Eminent Domain”
    CLE International Seminar | 2003

  • “Procedural Pitfalls in Eminent Domain”
    CLE International Seminar | 2002

  • “The Expert Witness – Pitfalls for the Unwary”
    Illinois Right of Way Association Meeting | 1998

  • “Techniques of Jury Persuasion”
    Lake County Bar Association | 1994

  • “Taking an Effective Discovery Deposition”
    Lake County Bar Association, Young Lawyers Committee | 1993

  • “Preparation of Expert Appraisal Witness”
    Appraisal Institute | 1993

  • “Investigation and Evaluation of Product Liability Cases”
    Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education Seminar on Products Liability | 1989