A Firm You Can Rely On In Complex Cases
Biography
Josh received his undergraduate degree from Indiana University in 1992 and his law degree from Loyola University Chicago in 1997. For the last 27 years, Josh has focused his practice on the defense of municipalities and their police officers in civil litigation involving allegations of excessive force, wrongful death, malicious prosecution and wrongful conviction. For the first 23 of those years, Josh defended the City of Chicago and its officers as an Assistant Corporation Counsel, including as a City’s Chief Assistant Corporation Counsel. While at the City, Josh was responsible for all aspects of litigation in both state and federal court including discovery, trial, and settlement.
Josh has tried roughly 20 cases to verdict including six wrongful death cases, and several others arising from excessive force, police shootings, malicious prosecution, false arrest, failure to provide medical attention, and reversed conviction.
Education
- Loyola University Chicago School of Law, Chicago, Illinois
- J.D. - 1997
- Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
- B.A. - 1992
- Major: Political Science
Bar Admission
- Illinois, 1997
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois, 1997
- U.S. Federal Courts
Representative Cases
- Rodriguez v. City of Chicago, et al,: Federal jury trial in front of Judge Kennelly alleging wrongful conviction stemming from the plaintiff’s vacated 1998 murder conviction. Plaintiff claimed that defendants withheld exculpatory evidence (Brady violation) by pressuring an eyewitness during a photo line-up and an in-person line-up. Plaintiff demanded $14,200,000 at trial and the jury returned a verdict for the defendants.
- Scirocco Giles v. City of Chicago, et al.,: Federal jury trial in front of Judge Coleman alleging excessive force, battery, malicious prosecution, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and a Monell claim for failing to properly investigate police-involved shooting cases. The case stemmed from the shooting of plaintiff while he fled officers after a traffic stop. Plaintiff was armed with a handgun and shot in the back, severing his spine and causing paralysis below the waist. Plaintiff claimed he never turned toward the officer behind to him to justify being shot, however, the physical evidence (the bullet path) supported the officer’s version of events. The jury returned a verdict for the defendants.
- Nikita Bailey v. City of Chicago, et. al.,: State court jury trial in front of Judge James Flannery, Jr. arising out of a May 3, 2006 traffic stop in which decedent attempted to flee in his vehicle and during that process dragged the defendant officer. Plaintiff—as administrator of the estate of the decedent—brought intentional battery claims under the wrongful death and survival acts, and a spoliation claim. The jury returned a verdict for the defendants.
- Common / Smith v. City of Chicago, et al.,: Federal jury trial in front of Judge Kennelly. Plaintiff alleged unreasonable use of deadly force and supplemental state law wrongful death and survival claims against Chicago Police Officers and the City of Chicago stemming from a 2006 police shooting in which Michael Smith died after being shot in the chest while attempting to disarm a police officer. The jury returned a verdict for the defendants.
Professional Associations
- Member of Trial Bar of the Northern District of Illinois