Jay Johnson

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Respect for working men and women is the driving force behind Jay Johnson's commitment to workers' compensation law. It is a respect that runs deep. One of Jay's grandfathers was a Kentucky coal miner; the other, a member of the United Rubber Workers. Because both his grandfathers worked extremely hard in less-than-ideal environments, Jay has great empathy for those who get hurt on the job.

Over the years, Jay Johnson has recovered millions of dollars for people suffering from a variety of work-related injuries. He prides himself on thoroughly preparing for each case and staying in close, personal contact with clients. Jay travels statewide to represent his clients. He has argued cases at all 17 workers' compensation sites throughout the state of Illinois. He has also argued cases in many Circuit Courts and in the Illinois Appellate Court. Because he is bilingual, Jay works with a number of Spanish-speaking clients, many of whom are unfamiliar with the workers' compensation system and are greatly relieved to discuss their legal dilemma in their own language. His clients find reassurance in Jay's understanding, professional demeanor and his willingness to take even tough cases to trial.

Jay's proudest moment as an attorney came when he helped a 23-year-old mentally disabled man beat the Social Security Administration. The federal government believed it had overpaid the young man by thousands of dollars and was trying to get it back. This man had no source of income, and his father was battling cancer. Jay argued the family had complied with all Social Security requirements and convinced the judge that it would be wrong to penalize the family for the government's error.

Jay graduated in the top 15% of his class from the John Marshall School of Law, where he was a member of the Law Review and served as a staff editor. He earned his undergraduate degrees in political science and Spanish at the University of Kentucky.

When he is not working, Jay enjoys spending time outdoors with his family. He is a NASCAR, hockey, and University of Kentucky basketball fan. On weekends, he cheers on his son in his Sabres Youth Hockey games and helps his daughter with her Girl Scouts activities. He anchors his bowling team. Jay is a member of Wheatland Salem United Methodist Church and helps support the Hunt Club Elementary School Parent Organization.

Languages

• Spanish

Education

• John Marshall Law School: J.D.
• Law Review, Staff Editor
• University of Kentucky: Political Science & Spanish (with honors)

Classes & Seminars

• School Employees & Work Place Injuries, What you need to know, IEA RA Assembly, Presenter
• When Cops Get Hurt: Workers' Compensation Issues Unique to Law Enforcement, ILFOP Police Steward Training, Presenter
• The Injured School Employee: Rights and Benefits, IEA One Conference, Presenter
• What is a Work-Related Accident?, Illinois Education Association, Presenter
• Repetitive Trauma Injuries, United Food & Commercial Workers, Presenter
• Your Right to Benefits Under the Illinois Workers' Compensation Act, Service Employees International Union, Presenter
• Work-Related Injuries, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Presenter
• Immigrants' Rights Under the Illinois Workers' Compensation Act, The Mexican Consulate, Presenter
• Work-Related Injuries, Garment and Leather Workers, Presenter
• How Changes in Workers' Compensation Law Affect Your Member, Illinois Valley Building Trades, Presenter

Honors & Awards

• ILFOP Blue and Gold Award
• Martindale-Hubbell® Client Distinction Award
• Sigma Delta Pi (Spanish Language Honorary Society)
• Leading Lawyers, 2015 – 2020
• Super Lawyers, 2020

Professional Associations and Memberships

• Kane County Bar Association, 2007 – present
• Workers' Compensation Lawyers Association, 2009 – present
• DuPage County Bar Association, 2010 – present
• Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, 2013 – present