James Botana, Employment Attorney in Chicago, Illinois
Chicago, IL
Trusted employment attorney serving Chicago.
Practices in
Are you James Botana?
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Quick answer
James Botana is an attorney based in Chicago, ILLINOIS. The practice focuses on Employment.
- Based in
- Chicago, ILLINOIS
- Experience
- attorney
- Known for
- Employment
- Handles Employment matters from Chicago, ILLINOIS.
- Recognized with Best Lawyers in America — Employment Law - Management (2026).
About James Botana: James Botana is an attorney based in Chicago, ILLINOIS. The practice focuses on Employment.
Areas of practice
James's practice areas in Chicago
James concentrates on employment. Each area below outlines the kind of case James handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.
Employment cases in Chicago, Illinois
James takes employment matters in Chicago, Illinois. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before James agrees to represent you.
Biography
James Botana, employment attorney serving Chicago
James Botana is an attorney based in Chicago, ILLINOIS. The practice focuses on Employment. James works from Chicago, Illinois and takes on employment matters across the region.
James F. Botana is a principal in the Chicago, Illinois, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. He represents management in employment cases in federal and state courts, and before administrative agencies in a variety of employment and labor-related claims.
Prior to joining Jackson Lewis, he was a prosecutor and a senior attorney in the Employment Litigation Department of the Office of the Corporation Counsel for the City of Chicago. He has successfully prosecuted and defended numerous civil and criminal cases in trials and evidentiary hearings in federal and state courts. James has represented the City of Chicago in prosecuting criminal and quasi-criminal matters and has defended the City of Chicago in employment discrimination, civil rights, and insurance defense cases in state and federal court. Since joining Jackson Lewis in August 2000, James has continued to represent management before federal and state courts and administrative agencies in a variety of employment and labor-related claims. He currently serves as a Special Assistant Corporation Counsel and represents the City of Chicago and its employees in a variety of claims.
James was born in Havana, Cuba, and raised in Spain. He is fluent in Spanish and is frequently called upon by businesses with large Spanish-speaking workforces to train managers and supervisors as well as non-supervisory employees in both English and Spanish in best employment practices and to conduct investigations of employment-related disputes.
James is the former co-leader of Jackson Lewis’ Hispanic-American Attorney resource group, a group of attorneys in the firm who provide assistance in workplace law matters to businesses with a large Hispanic workforce. He is also a founding member of the firm’s Diversity Committee. James has been extensively quoted in media including NPR, Crain’s Chicago Business and the Chicago Tribune commenting on subjects such as immigration, sexual harassment and flexible workplace polices.
James's approach to employment cases
James F. Botana is a principal in the Chicago, Illinois, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. He represents management in employment cases in federal and state courts, and before administrative agencies in a variety of employment and labor-related claims. Prior to joining Jackson Lewis, he was a prosecutor and a senior attorney in the Employment Litigation Department of the Office of the Corporation…
The kind of cases James takes
James reviews new inquiries case-by-case for employment matters in Chicago and the surrounding Illinois area.
Credentials
Credentials — where James studied and practices
DePaul University
J.D. · 1992
James studied at J.D. in DePaul University.
Law school and academic background
James completed J.D. in DePaul University. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice James runs in Illinois is where that training gets applied to real client questions.
Recognition
James's legal honors and published work
James has received 4 formal recognitions from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.
Best Lawyers in America — Employment Law - Management
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice:
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Labor Law - Management
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Labor and Employment
2026
Legal awards and honors
Best Lawyers in America — Employment Law - Management (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice: (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Labor Law - Management (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Labor and Employment (2026).
Locations
James Botana's office in Chicago
James's primary office is at 150 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 2500, Chicago, Illinois, 60601. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.
Client feedback
Client reviews of James Botana
James has not yet collected verified client reviews on LawyersListed. Reviews here are all from confirmed clients; anonymous ratings are moderated out.
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Schedule your consultationHiring guide
How to hire James Botana — what to expect in your first consultation
Working with a new employment attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with James usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.
Consultation formats and pricing
James charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain James's office.
What to bring to your first meeting
Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; James will tell you what matters and what doesn't.
Questions to ask a employment attorney in Chicago, Illinois
A short list to run through before you commit: How many employment matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?
Fees & payment
Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for James
James discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in employment practice — ask which fits.
Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options
Every employment matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. James confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.
Payment methods and payment plans
James's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many employment practices work with clients on structured schedules.
Frequently asked
Frequently asked questions about James Botana
How much does it cost to hire James for a employment case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. James walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does James offer a free consultation?
James charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain James's office. Some employment attorneys offer free consults — check James's current terms during booking.
How long do employment cases in Illinois typically take?
Simple employment matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. James gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can James take my case if I'm outside Chicago?
James is licensed in Illinois. Matters governed by Illinois law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — James will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.
What should I bring to my first meeting with James?
Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. James will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is James accepting new employment clients right now?
James's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.
Areas served
Employment attorneys serving Chicago, Springfield and Northbrook in Illinois
James handles employment matters throughout Illinois. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified employment attorneys in that community.
More counsel
Other top-rated employment attorneys in Illinois
If James's intake is full or the fit isn't right, these employment attorneys in Chicago handle similar matters. Every profile below is verified and open to consultations.





