Overview
James Durkin is a former federal prosecutor and experienced trial lawyer who focuses his practice on white-collar and government enforcement matters, internal investigations and compliance matters, and complex civil litigation. He represents companies and individuals in matters ranging from white-collar healthcare cases to investigations brought by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and other government agencies. James draws upon his first-hand knowledge of how the government decides to pursue and resolve cases when navigating clients through complex and sensitive investigations and prosecutions.
After launching his career as an associate at McDermott, James spent seven years at the US Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois before returning to the Firm. Most recently, James served in the National Security and Cybercrime Section of the US Attorney’s Office, where he led a variety of investigations and prosecutions involving cyber fraud, trade secrets theft, identity theft, trade sanctions, counterintelligence, foreign terrorism, domestic terrorism and civil unrest violations. In addition to that work, James spent years working on and ultimately supervising a sprawling and high-profile investigation into public corruption that has resulted in numerous convictions of elected and public officials.
James also has significant experience handling cases involving healthcare fraud, mail and wire fraud, bank fraud, tax fraud, insurance fraud, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), international drug trafficking, firearms trafficking and violent robberies. He has conducted internal investigations across many industries—experience he uses to advise clients not only how to respond to government and regulatory investigations, but also how to avoid them and their associated costs by developing and implementing effective compliance programs.
A skilled appellate advocate, James has successfully briefed and argued appeals in the US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.
Prior to joining the US Attorney’s Office, James clerked for Judge Amy J. St. Eve at the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
Results
- Investigated a wide-ranging public corruption scheme that resulted in the convictions of multiple Illinois State Senators, an Illinois State Representative, a Cook County Commissioner, multiple suburban mayors, public officials and business leaders*
- Successfully tried a healthcare fraud matter involving fraudulent billing practices at a major hospice company*
- Obtained trial victories as lead trial attorney in cases involving international drug trafficking and firearms offenses*
- Investigated and charged a complex cloud-based computer intrusion and data theft of multiple financial services companies *
- Investigated and prosecuted an arson involving the burning and destruction of a Chicago police vehicle*
- Successfully represented an individual plaintiff in an AAA arbitration proceeding on claims of fraud, civil conspiracy and legal malpractice, and obtained more than $15 million in settlements and awards
- Defended a major drug manufacturer in qui tam action alleging violations of the False Claims statutes
- Defended a publicly traded medical device manufacturer in product liability litigation involving allegations of potentially wrongful death
- Investigated and prosecuted high-level drug cartel leaders while working with foreign law enforcement leaders*
- Investigated and prosecuted firearms trafficker responsible for supplying a firearm used in the targeted murder of a nine-year-old boy*
*Matter handled prior to joining McDermott
Recognitions
- Department of Justice Director’s Award, 2019
Community
- Lurie Children’s Hospital Innovator’s Board, board member
