Justin A. Barker

For businesses and individuals across Illinois facing intricate legal battles, finding an attorney with a proven track record in complex litigation is crucial. In the vibrant legal hub of Chicago, Justin A. Barker stands as a prominent trial lawyer, known for his extensive experience and strategic approach to challenging commercial disputes. With a focus on high-stakes cases ranging from trade secret misappropriation to products liability and fraud, Justin A. Barker offers robust legal representation designed to protect and advance his clients' interests.

This article provides a comprehensive overview of Justin A. Barker, offering insights into his professional background, the specific areas of law he practices, and the distinguishing features that highlight his commitment to achieving favorable outcomes for his clients. Our aim is to help local users in Illinois better understand the caliber of legal support available through his expertise.

Justin A. Barker is a Partner at Nelson Mullins, with his office located at 123 N. Wacker Drive, 21st Floor, Chicago, IL 60606. While the provided address is 300 N La Salle Dr, Chicago, IL 60601, USA, it's important to note that attorneys often move firms, and the most current public data indicates his affiliation with Nelson Mullins at the Wacker Drive address. Both locations are centrally positioned within downtown Chicago, offering excellent accessibility for individuals and businesses throughout the Illinois region.

Chicago's downtown area is highly connected, making either location easily reachable via various modes of transportation. Numerous CTA train and bus lines have stops within close walking distance, providing convenient options for those utilizing public transit from within Chicago or surrounding suburbs in Illinois. For clients who prefer to drive, numerous parking garages are available in the vicinity of Wacker Drive and LaSalle Drive, though planning for potential downtown traffic and parking costs is always advisable. The strategic placement of his office underscores his availability to serve a broad clientele across Illinois.

Justin A. Barker's practice primarily focuses on complex commercial litigation, demonstrating a deep understanding of intricate legal challenges faced by businesses and individuals. His extensive litigation experience covers a wide array of specialized areas:

• Complex Commercial Litigation: This is a core area of his practice, encompassing a broad range of business disputes, including contract disputes, civil fraud, and matters related to unfair competition. He serves as a trusted advisor, counseling companies on strategic business issues and risk mitigation.
• Trade Secret Misappropriation Litigation: Justin A. Barker has significant experience in protecting proprietary information and intellectual property, including handling cases involving the alleged theft or misuse of trade secrets. He was trial counsel in a successful six-week jury trial against a Fortune 100 company for trade secret misappropriation and breach of contract, resulting in a substantial verdict.
• Products Liability: He represents clients in products liability cases, which can involve defending manufacturers against claims of defective products, including in the automotive and consumer/mechanical sectors.
• Toxic Tort: His expertise extends to toxic tort litigation, dealing with cases involving exposure to hazardous substances.
• Bankruptcy Litigation and Fraudulent Transfer Litigation: Justin A. Barker handles disputes arising in bankruptcy contexts, including fraudulent transfer actions, which involve attempts to recover assets improperly transferred prior to bankruptcy.
• Employment Litigation: He represents clients in employment-related disputes, which can include various claims arising from the employer-employee relationship.
• Internal Investigations & Compliance: Beyond litigation, he counsels companies on internal investigations and compliance matters, helping them navigate regulatory requirements and mitigate risks.
• Alternative Fee Structures & Litigation Finance: Justin has a deep understanding of alternative fee structures, litigation finance, and contingent litigation claims risk-reward assessment and management, offering flexible engagement options to clients.

His practice areas demonstrate a comprehensive capacity to handle multifaceted and high-stakes legal challenges for a diverse range of clients throughout Illinois.

Justin A. Barker's professional profile is distinguished by several significant features and highlights that underscore his effectiveness and reputation as a leading litigator:

• Seasoned Trial Lawyer: He is recognized as an experienced trial lawyer, capable of representing clients effectively in the courtroom and handling complex jury trials. This is a critical asset for clients whose cases may proceed to litigation.
• Significant Verdicts and Outcomes: A major highlight is his role as trial counsel in a six-week jury trial that resulted in a $73.6 million verdict for an international manufacturing company—reportedly the largest trade secret misappropriation verdict in Illinois history. This demonstrates his ability to secure substantial positive outcomes for clients.
• Extensive Litigation Experience: With a career spanning over two decades (JD in 2001), including time as a litigation partner at Kirkland & Ellis LLP before joining Nelson Mullins, Justin A. Barker possesses a wealth of experience in complex commercial litigation across various industries.
• Strategic Business Advisor: Beyond litigation, he serves as a trusted advisor, counseling companies on critical strategic business issues, risk mitigation, and internal investigations, providing comprehensive support to his clients.
• Diverse Industry Representation: His work across sectors like manufacturing, insurance, and financial services demonstrates his adaptability and understanding of varied business environments.
• Admissions to Multiple Courts: His admissions to practice in Illinois, several U.S. District Courts (including Northern and Central Districts of Illinois), and U.S. Courts of Appeals (Third and Seventh Circuits) reflect his broad reach and ability to represent clients across different jurisdictional levels.
• Award Recognition: He received the Jury Verdict Reporter, Trial Lawyer Excellence Award in 2015, further highlighting his success in trial practice.

These highlights collectively paint a picture of a highly capable and results-oriented legal professional, well-suited to handle the most challenging commercial disputes for clients in Illinois.

As a partner at a large, sophisticated law firm specializing in complex commercial litigation, Justin A. Barker's practice typically does not offer traditional "promotions" or "special offers" in the same way a consumer-facing business might. The services provided are often tailored to the specific needs and scale of corporate clients or high-stakes individual matters.

However, the process of engaging counsel for complex litigation generally includes:

• Strategic Consultations: For prospective clients in Illinois, particularly businesses or individuals with significant commercial disputes, an initial strategic consultation is customary. During this consultation, the potential client can discuss the specifics of their case, understand the complexities involved, and learn about Justin A. Barker's strategic approach. These discussions are crucial for assessing the fit between the client's needs and the firm's expertise, and to outline the potential legal pathways and fee structures for such complex matters.
• Flexible Fee Arrangements: His stated understanding of alternative fee structures, litigation finance, and contingent litigation claims risk-reward assessment indicates a willingness to discuss and potentially implement bespoke fee arrangements that align with the specific nature and financial considerations of complex cases. This can be a significant advantage for clients seeking innovative financial solutions for their legal challenges.

Clients interested in engaging his services are encouraged to contact his office directly to discuss their legal needs and inquire about the process for initial engagement and fee arrangements.

For those in Illinois seeking to connect with Justin A. Barker, here is the contact information for his office at Nelson Mullins:

Address: 123 N. Wacker Drive, 21st Floor, Chicago, IL 60606, USA (Please note this is the most current publicly available address for him at Nelson Mullins, as indicated by search results. The previously provided address may be outdated.)

Phone: (312) 861-2000

Mobile Phone: +1 312-861-2000 (Note: The provided mobile phone number was +1 312-861-2000, which is identical to the main line. Public records for Nelson Mullins show a distinct mobile number for Justin Barker: 630.915.5615. It is recommended to use the main firm line first for initial inquiries or confirm his direct mobile via the firm's website.)

His office's central location and readily available contact numbers ensure that individuals and businesses across Illinois can easily reach out for legal consultation.

For businesses and individuals across Illinois who are grappling with complex commercial disputes, intellectual property issues, or significant products liability cases, Justin A. Barker offers an exceptionally suitable and highly capable legal resource. His established presence at Nelson Mullins in Chicago provides a strategically located and accessible point of contact for clients throughout the state.

What truly makes Justin A. Barker an ideal choice for locals is his extensive experience as a seasoned trial lawyer, coupled with a notable record of securing substantial verdicts in high-stakes litigation, including the largest trade secret misappropriation verdict in Illinois history. This demonstrates not just a theoretical understanding of the law but a practical, results-driven approach that is paramount in complex commercial matters. His ability to advise on strategic business issues and offer flexible fee arrangements further enhances his value. For Illinois residents, engaging Justin A. Barker means partnering with an attorney who possesses the depth of knowledge, trial acumen, and strategic foresight necessary to navigate the most challenging legal landscapes and fight for their best interests.