Hon. John C. Griffin (Ret.) joins JAMS in Chicago after over a decade of service to the Illinois judiciary. Prior to his appointment to the bench, Judge Griffin was in private practice for over 30 years, with a wide-ranging litigation practice that allowed him to argue before the chancery, law, probate, county and municipal divisions in the Circuit Court of Cook County and the surrounding collar counties. He also practiced in federal district court and bankruptcy court. As an attorney, he did appellate work in the state court and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.
In addition, Judge Griffin’s practice included extensive transactional experience, particularly in the construction field, where he represented numerous builders and developers in zoning, developments and related corporate matters. He negotiated and prepared annexation and development agreements with municipalities. He prepared documents for hundreds of condominium, townhouse and single-family home developments.
Judge Griffin is passionate about ADR, believing party autonomy leads to the best outcomes. He uses his keen facilitation skills in many volunteer capacities for the betterment of Chicago communities, including long-standing service and leading roles at Chicago Gaelic Park, Moraine Valley Community College and other area educational institutions.
ADR Experience and Qualifications
- Supervised the Commercial Section of the Cook County Circuit Court Law Division during implementation of the Illinois Supreme Court’s mandatory arbitration program; preparation of the Commercial Section bench book
- Served terms as settlement judge and presiding judge on the Illinois Appellate Court
- Chair-Qualified arbitrator for the Circuit Court of Cook County’s Mandatory Arbitration Program
- Successfully resolved many matters during pre-trial at the request of parties in the Commercial Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County
- Presented settlement strategies and techniques to Illinois judges at two state-wide judicial education conferences (2016 and 2018)
Representative Matters
- Adjudicated or resolved during pre-trial thousands of mortgage foreclosure actions in the Cook County Circuit Court’s Chancery Division during the 2008 Great Recession
- Successfully mediated a multi-party, complex asbestosis class action involving approximately 800 plaintiffs
- Facilitated lengthy labor negotiations for Moraine Valley Community College
- Adjudicated $27-million construction defect claim involving renovated interiors to Terminals 2 and 3 at O’Hare International Airport
- Adjudicated mechanic’s lien claim in excess of $1 million involving mansion complex in Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood after a six-week trial
