James N. Nowacki
Overview
James N. Nowacki is a retired partner to the Litigation Practice Group in Kirkland's Chicago office, formerly engaged in a national practice of commercial litigation and construction law. He concentrated his practice in construction litigation for architects, engineers, contractors and owners for complex industrial, transportation, office building and manufacturing projects. Jim's focus also included professional liability defense of attorneys and others in professional practice. He tried jury, bench and arbitration cases involving complex construction disputes, technology and scientific issues.
Jim's practice spanned the federal and state courts across the country with work extending as well to Europe, Asia and the Middle East. A critical focus was claims management geared to keeping clients out of litigation through contract drafting assistance, advice and troubleshooting on project problems on a host of different client issues. Jim has been chosen by his peers as a top commercial litigator and construction law attorney nationally as well as in Illinois, and in 1994 he received the President's Award from the American Institute of Architects.
Experience
Representative Matters
Major international and national architectural and engineering firms, contractors and project owners in manufacturing, utilities, chemical, commercial office and other businesses and industries.
More
Thought Leadership
Publications
"Alternate Dispute Resolution: Choices For The Design Professional," Architects and Engineers Liability: Claims Against Design Professionals, 3rd Edition, Wiley Law Publications, 2006
"Alternate Dispute Resolution: The Pros and Cons," Architect and Engineer Liability, Claims Against Design Professionals, 2nd Edition, Wiley Law Publications, 1995
"In Search of the Past: A Lawyer's Perspective," The American Archivist, Vol. 59, number 2, Spring 1996
"Cyclops Ravishes Construction Industry," AIA Illinois News, Spring 1992
"Engineer's Economic Loss Defense: New Wine For Old Bottles?" Specifying Engineer Magazine, June 1983
Seminars
Drafting Legislation and Testimony Before the Illinois Legislature on the Statute of Limitations For Construction Claims
London Seminar on Changing Cities in 2000 and Beyond
Seminars For the Invited Attorneys AIA, Practising Law Institute, the AIA, Construction Litigation Superconference, the Architect-Engineer Council and the New York Law Journal Institute
Recognition
Recognized by Martindale-Hubbell — AV Preeminent™ Award for The Highest Possible Rating in Both Legal Ability & Ethical Standards, 2023
"Top Lawyers in Illinois" — The American Registry, 2023
Listed in “The Best Lawyers in America,” by Best Lawyers® — Construction Law/Litigation-Construction, 2006–2025
Listed as a Recognized Practitioner in Chambers USA — Construction (Illinois), 2018–2019
“Leading Lawyer” in Construction Law (2016–2018); Commercial Litigation (2018); Professional Malpractice Defense Law: Including Legal/Technical/ Financial (2018), Leading Lawyers Magazine
“BTI Client Service All-Star,” BTI Consulting Group, 2016
Recognized by The Legal 500 U.S. — Construction, 2014–2020
Leading Construction Lawyer: "Construction and Projects" PLC Which Lawyer?, 2012
"Top Lawyers in Illinois" — Commercial Litigation and Construction Law, Leading Lawyer Magazine, 2011
"Illinois Super Lawyers" — Business Litigation, 2011–2012
"Super Lawyers" — Litigation, Construction, Environmental, 2012
President's Award, American Institute of Architects — Illinois, 1994
Memberships & Affiliations
Society of Illinois Construction Attorneys
Community Activities
President (1997–1998) and Vice President (1999) of District 203 Board of Education (New Trier High School)
President (1987–1989) and Member of District 36 Board of Education (Winnetka) (1983–1991)
Winnetka Schools Foundation — 1995 to 1997
New Trier School Foundation — 2001 to 2005
Credentials
Admissions & Qualifications
- 1973, Illinois (retired)
Courts
- Supreme Court of the United States
- United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
- Supreme Court of Illinois
Education
- Yale Law SchoolJ.D.1973Harlan Fiske Stone Prize
- Princeton UniversityA.B.1969
Woodrow Wilson Scholar, Woodrow Wilson School
Phi Beta Kappa
News &
Insights
- Award Best Lawyers Recognizes Eleven Kirkland Partners as Lawyers of the Year 2025
- Press Release Chambers & Partners Ranks Kirkland and its Attorneys in the United States
- Press Release Chambers & Partners Ranks Kirkland and its Attorneys in the United States
- Award The Best Lawyers in America 2018
- Award 2017 Client Service All-Stars Report