Attorney Profiles

Joseph T. Morrison was born in Chicago, Illinois on October 28, 1957, the eldest of eight children of Donald T. and Catherine E. Morrison. He received his secondary education at Loyola Academy in Wilmette, Illinois, and from there attended Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois. He completed the pre-medical curriculum, and was awarded a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1979. He was a four year varsity basketball letterman, and participate din various fraternal and campus organizations. He then attended De Paul University School of Law in Chicago, Illinois, where he was awarded a Juris Doctor degree in 1982. While an undergraduate, Mr. Morrison worked as a hospital attendant in emergency and critical care. Mr. Morrison worked as a law clerk in the firm of Donald T. Morrison & Associates during law school.

Mr. Morrison was admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Illinois, and joined the firm of Donald T. Morrison & Associates in 1982. He attended the lawyer's Postgraduate "Trial Techniques Institute. He was admitted to the trial bar of the United States District Court in 1985, and is a member of the American Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association and Lake County Bar Association. He is also a member of the Trial Lawyers of America, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association and Jefferson Inn, and American Inns of Court. In 988, Mr. Morrison successfully completed the postgraduate National Institute of Trial Advocacy course in "Advanced Trial Advocacy Skills."

In 1987, Mr. Morrison was named one of the Outstanding Young Men of America."

Mr. Morrison was Chair of the Executive Committee for coordination of Salmonella litigation in Lake County, 1986k 1987, and is the Chair of the Civil Trial Committee of the Lake County Bar Association from 1993 to the present time. He has served as Chair of the Young Lawyers Committee and during the period of 1989-1992, served as Chair of the Lake County Judicial Selection and Retention Committee. He also served as Chair of the Lake County Civil Trial Committee during the period 1993-1995.

He is author of several editions of a book chapter entitled "Punitive Damages in Product Liability Cases," for the Illinois Continuing Legal Education Committee. He is also the author of a chapter entitled "Basic Real Estate Practice" in the book Starting Points: The Fundamentals of 11 Practice Areas for the Illinois Continuing Legal Education Committee. He is also author of
"Motions in Limine: Can the Practice be Made Perfect?" and produced a public service videotape instruction presentation for nursing home residents entitled "Your Access to the Law." He was moderator of the Lake County Bar Association seminar entitled "Techniques of Jury Persuasion" and has been a seminar speaker on such topics as "Preparation of Expert Witnesses," "Investigation and Evaluation of Product Liability Cases," and "The Expert Witness - Pitfalls for the Unwary."

Mr. Joseph Morrison has tried over 50 civil jury trials. He has tried numerous personal injury cases resulting in verdicts for injured parties. These cases include severe injuries to the head, neck, cervical and lumbar areas of the spine, and fractures. Mr. Joseph Morrison has also tried several medical negligence cases to verdict, both on behalf of injured parties and on behalf of the defendant. These cases have involved damages to vocal cords, surgical intestinal injuries, plastic surgery, and dental implants.

Mr. Joseph Morrison has also tried dozens of eminent domain cases. In the last five years, Mr. Morrison has tried more eminent domain cases in Lake County, Illinois, than any other attorney. Mr. Morrison has been involved in over five verdicts in excess of $1,000,000.00. He has represented a variety of public bodies, including the Lake County Forest Preserve District, Buffalo Grove Park District, and other municipalities. He has also represented numerous owners and has tried numerous cases to verdict on behalf of owners.

Mr. Joseph Morrison's trial experience also includes other types of civil litigation. He has tried numerous cases involving damage to real estate, including cases of fraud and cases of deceptive and faulty construction practices. These cases have involved real estate with values sometimes in excess of $1,000,000.00.

Mr. Joseph Morrison was listed as the busiest individual trial lawyer in the State of Illinois for the year ending September1, 1990, by the Cook County and Illinois Jury Verdict Reporter. Mr. Morrison tried nine jury trials to verdict.

Mr. Joseph Morrison has also tried numerous bench trials. He has handled complex mortgage foreclosure cases, consumer fraud cases, and has tried zoning cases to verdict.

Throughout his career, Mr. Joseph Morrison has handled numerous other types of complex civil litigation. This experience includes complex personal injury cases, medical negligence cases, representation of a hospital in contract and insurance disputes, breach of employment contracts, and tortious interference with contract.