John J. Timbo - Chicago, IL
Attorney at The Sotos Law Firm, P.C.
Municipal Defense Lawyers in Chicago, IL
141 W. Jackson Blvd. #1240A Chicago, IL 60604
Chicago Municipal Defense Lawyer
Updated: 03/10/2026
Areas of Practice
- Municipal Defense
- Civil Rights Defense
- Government Representation
- Employment Discrimination Defense
- Employee Internal Investigation
Litigation: 90%
Attorney Information
Overview
John has been representing the interests of law enforcement since 1994, when he started as a law clerk with the Office of the Legal Advisor for the Boston Police Department. John is a 1996 graduate of Suffolk University School of Law in Boston, Massachusetts, after having been accepted as a third year visiting student by Chicago-Kent College of Law. After graduation, John worked with Russell Hartigan & Associates in Chicago where he engaged in municipal, civil rights, and insurance defense, having successfully tried several cases to verdict. After working with two other attorneys from Hartigan & Associates for a short time in a start up firm, John joined Jim Sotos in 2000. John has been a regular presenter on liability risk issues for the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police since 2009, and recently lectured on the topic of recent trends in qualified immunity at the Illinois Midwest Police and Security Expo held in Peoria, Illinois in August, 2011. John is also a 1993 graduate of DePaul University College of Commerce, where he earned a bachelor's degree in Economics.
Education
-
Legal Education
-
Suffolk University Law School,
Boston,
Massachusetts, 1996
J.D.
-
Suffolk University Law School,
Boston,
Massachusetts, 1996
-
Non Legal Education
-
DePaul University ,
Chicago,
Illinois, 1993
B.S.
Major: Business Economics
-
DePaul University ,
Chicago,
Illinois, 1993
Current Employment Position(s)
-
Partner
Past Positions
- Hervas, Sotos, Condon & Bersani, Litigation Associate, 2000 - 2005
Classes and Seminars
-
Legal Update Seminar , IL Association of Chiefs of Police, 2010 - 2011
-
Legal updates concerning liability issues, Department wide training, City of Naperville Police Department, 2010
-
Presenter- Liability Risks, Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police , 2009 - Present
- Lecturer- Qualified Immunity , Illinois Midwest Police and Security Expo, Peoria, IL, 2011
Bar Admissions
- Illinois, 1996
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois, 1998
- U.S. District Court Southern District of Illinois, 2004
- U.S. District Court Central District of Illinois, 2001
Other Affiliations
- Illinois State Bar Association
- Chicago Bar Association
Fraternities and Sororities
- Delta Sigma Pi
Contact
141 W. Jackson Blvd. #1240A
Chicago, IL 60604
Phone: 630-735-3300
Fax: 630-773-0980
Email: Send a message
Website: https://www.jsotoslaw.com
Disclaimer
Your Profile? Update Now
When viewing a listing, consider the state advertising restrictions to which lawyers and law firms must adhere, as well as our FindLaw.com Legal Directory disclaimer. Some lawyers publish comparative information regarding the services that they provide which may be subject to specific comparative communications restrictions.
How do I choose a lawyer?
Consider the following:
- Comfort Level – Are you comfortable telling the lawyer personal information? Does the lawyer seem interested in solving your problem?
- Credentials – How long has the lawyer been in practice? Has the lawyer worked on other cases similar to yours?
- Cost – How are the lawyer's fees structured — hourly or flat fee? Can the lawyer estimate the cost of your case?
- City – Is the lawyer's office conveniently located?
Not sure what questions to ask a lawyer?
Here are a few to get you started:
- How long have you been in practice?
- How many cases like mine have you handled?
- How often do you settle cases out of court?
- What are your fees and costs?
- What are the next steps?
Want to check lawyer discipline?
It is always a good idea to research your lawyer prior to hiring. Every state has a disciplinary organization that monitors attorneys, their licenses, and consumer complaints. By researching lawyer discipline you can:
- Ensure the attorney is currently licensed to practice in your state
- Gain an understanding of his or her historical disciplinary record, if any.
- Determine the seriousness of complaints/issues which could range from late bar fees to more serious issues requiring disciplinary action.