James J. Hess

Jim is an experienced attorney in Tressler's Local Government Practice Group. He represents various local government entities, primarily focusing on day-to-day operations for cities, villages, fire protection districts, park districts and library districts. Jim's practice includes handling intergovernmental agreements, ordinances, contract negotiations, administrative proceedings, demolition issues, employment, Open Meetings Act issues, Freedom of Information Act matters and ethics. Jim also handles a variety of land use matters, including Tax Increment Financing districts, redevelopment agreements, annexations and comprehensive planning.

Jim has served as corporate counsel for a number of businesses where he regularly assisted clients with corporate matters, contract negotiation, landlord-tenant issues, real estate transactions and criminal matters. He has also litigated professional liability and personal injury matters as well as commercial and employment disputes.

Jim has a diverse legal background that includes a range of practice areas. During law school, Jim worked as a prosecutor for the Kendall County State's Attorney's office as well as participated in the Elder Law Clinic in which he assisted senior citizens with estate planning and other legal matters. He also spent a summer studying law in France at the Montesquieu University Bordeaux IV. Jim also worked as a graduate assistant at the NIU College of Business, where he earned the University's Outstanding Graduate Assistant Award. Jim was recently selected as a Rising Star by Illinois Super Lawyers.