Jonathan B. Blakley enjoys a varied litigation practice, in both state and federal courts, representing healthcare providers, higher education institutions, product manufacturers, and corporations in numerous industry sectors. He has experience in all phases of high-exposure and/or complex litigation: from initial evaluation, through trial/arbitration, and appeal.
- Obtained summary judgment in favor of a healthcare client, resulting in dismissal of all claims with prejudice in a matter involving allegedly negligent treatment in a long-term care facility and resulting in severe injury.
- Obtained summary judgment in favor of a Pulitzer Prize winning investigative journalism organization in an employment discrimination case.
- Obtained summary judgment in favor of a hospital system in a case involving a purported missed diagnosis of a hip fracture, leading to additional and permanent orthopaedic injury.
- Secured dismissal of discrimination claims filed against a faculty member at a world renowned educational institution.
- Secured dismissal of claims against a healthcare provider with prejudice in a matter concerning allegedly negligent supervision of an individual with cognitive impairment, following concession of opposing experts that the client neither deviated from the applicable standard of care nor contributed to the injury of the decedent.
- Obtained dismissal of claims against an urgent care provider with prejudice based on the opposition’s failure to comply with threshold pleading requirements.
- Part of an arbitration team that secured dismissal of all claims against a nationwide franchisor and obtained a six figure award on the franchisor’s counterclaim.
- Recent Trends and Hot Button Issues in Healthcare Law, GRSM Legal Education Conference, New York and Hartford, May 2019
- Health Professionals Beware — Illinois Supreme Court Narrows Applicability of Good Samaritan Act, April 2014
Admissions
- Illinois
- Illinois Supreme Court
- U.S. District Court, Northern, Central, and Southern Districts of Illinois
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
Memberships
- GRSM African-American Affinity Group, Co-Chair
- National Association of College and University Attorneys
- Illinois State Bar Association
- American Health Lawyers Association
- University Risk Management & Insurance Association
- The National Black Lawyers Top 100
- Defense Research Institute:
- Medical Liability and Healthcare Law Committee Member (former Chair of Publications)
- Young Lawyers Committee Member
- Diversity & Inclusion Committee Member
- Diversity & Inclusion Committee Member
Education
- J.D., Chicago-Kent College of Law, 2012
- B.A., Government, Dartmouth College, 2007
Honors
- Named to Lawyers of Color Hot List 2022
- CALI Awards (from the Center for Computer-Assisted Legal Instruction) for coursework in Genetics and the Law, Entertainment Law, and Electronic Discovery
- Super Lawyers® Rising Stars distinction in Personal Injury – General: Defense, Employment Litigation: Defense, General Litigation, Medical Malpractice, and Health Care (2021-2024)
- Best Lawyers in America® Ones to Watch distinction in Healthcare Law and Product Liability Litigation – Defendants (2024)