James A. Karamanis - a Chicago, United States Trade Secrets & Unfair Competition Lawyer

Chicago Trade Secrets & Unfair Competition Lawyer

Updated: 03/10/2026

Areas of Practice

Trade Secrets & Unfair Competition
Medical Malpractice
Personal Injury
Commercial Litigation
Wrongful Death
Birth Injuries
Wrongful Birth

Attorney Information

Overview

James Karamanis is the founder of Barney & Karamanis, LLP, which concentrates its practice in helping victims of medical malpractice, other personal injuries, trade secret violations, contract disputes and other complex business disputes. James prides himself in his responsiveness to clients needs and inquiries, recognizing the importance for clients to be informed at every stage of their case. One of James’ most notable cases in the breach of contract area was a confidential settlement agreement that was reached where the defendant’s damage estimate ranged from approximately $150 million to $450 million, and the case was settled for an amount approximately equal to the accrual that the defendant had established for the case.

In addition to several multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements achieved in the areas of medical negligence, business disputes and other personal injury cases, James also obtained a verdict in what is believed to be the only Plaintiff’s verdict in the State of Illinois for a wrongful birth case, in the amount of $530,000. The suit was brought against an obstetrician/gynecologist and local clinic for failing to inform a 35-year-old pregnant mother of the risks of having an abnormal child over the age of 35, and failing to offer her amniocentesis testing. The clinic’s physician also mistakenly assessed gestational age at 23 weeks when the age of the fetus was, in actuality, 16 weeks.

For the past two consecutive years, 2018 and 2019, James has been selected by his peers and named by Chicago Magazine as one of the Top Attorneys in Chicago. Additionally, he has been rated as a Super Lawyer, which recognizes outstanding lawyers who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Super Lawyers is an independent rating service basing its selection process on peer nominations and peer evaluations.

Most recently, James serves as lead counsel on behalf of the Chicago JRW Little League players who were unceremoniously stripped of their title by Little League Baseball in the case of Butler et al. vs. Little League et al., Cook County Ct. No. 2018-L-000178. His press conference can be seen on YouTube at the following link: https://www.chicagotribune.com/visuals/85911208-132.html. James prides himself in representing the underdog against major corporations in the classic spirit of David versus Goliath.

James was born in Beloit, Wisconsin and made his way to the East Coast before coming to Illinois to practice law. His motivation stems from the people he helps. In James’s mind, nothing beats a David and Goliath story. He speaks fluent Greek, which makes him a valuable asset in today’s diverse communities.

Awards and Honors

Super Lawyers® Selectees

James A. Karamanis included in a Super Lawyers® list

Honors

Top Attorneys in Chicago, Chicago Magazine, 2018 - 2019
Super Lawyer

Other Sources of Feedback About James A. Karamanis

Included on the 2026 Illinois Super Lawyers list

Past Lists

2025 Illinois Super Lawyers list
2024 Illinois Super Lawyers list
2023 Illinois Super Lawyers list
2022 Illinois Super Lawyers list
2021 Illinois Super Lawyers list
2020 Illinois Super Lawyers list
2019 Illinois Super Lawyers list
2018 Illinois Super Lawyers list
2017 Illinois Super Lawyers list
2016 Illinois Super Lawyers list
2015 Illinois Super Lawyers list

Education

Legal Education
- New York University School of Law, New York, New York, 1988
  LL.M.
  Major: International Legal Studies
- New York Law School, New York, New York, 1986
  J.D.
Non Legal Education
- University of Wisconsin, 1983
  B.S.

Current Employment Position(s)

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Founder/Partner
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Languages

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Greek
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Representative Cases

Butler et al. vs. Little League et al., Cook County Ct. No. 2018-L-000178

Bar Admissions

New York, 1987
Illinois, 1990
Supreme Court of the United States of America
U.S. Court of International Trade
U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit
Washington
U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois
U.S. District Court Central District of Illinois
U.S. District Court Southern District of Illinois
U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois Trial Bar

Other Affiliations

New York State Bar Association
Illinois State Bar Association
Chicago Bar Association
Illinois Trial Lawyers Association

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Contact

Chicago, IL

180 N. Stetson Avenue
Suite 3050
Chicago, IL 60601

Directions

Phone: 312-702-0872

Fax: (312) 344-1901

Email: Send a message

Website: https://www.barneykaramanis.com

Free Consultations
Virtual Appointments

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James A. Karamanis - Chicago, IL