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 19 workers’ compensation sites throughout the state of Illinois. He has also argued cases in many Circuit Courts and 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 is gratified to have represented many first responders throughout the state of Illinois. He was recognized by the Fraternal Order of Police with a Blue Gold Award for his dedication to representing members of law enforcement. One case involving an injured police officer went all the way to the Illinois Appellate Court. Jay successfully argued the officer’s injury was work-related even though the officer was not technically on duty when the injury occurred. (The officer aggravated a pre-existing back injury while lifting his duty bag into the trunk of his car.)  Jay is a supporter of the Jacksonville Citizens Police Academy and sits on the foundation board for the Spoon River Valley FOP.

Jay is a member of the Workers Compensation Lawyers Association and the Kane County Bar Association. He graduated in the top 15 percent of his class from the John Marshall School of Law, where he was a member of Law Review and served as a staff editor. He earned his undergraduate degrees in political science and Spanish at the University of Kentucky.

Jay is married and has an adult son and a teenage daughter. When he is not working, he enjoys craft beers and his home in the woods. He feeds the birds, chops firewood, and takes his dog for long walks. He is a fan of NASCAR, Redwings hockey, and University of Kentucky basketball. Jay and his wife are members of Harvest New Beginnings Church in Oswego.

Languages

• Spanish

If you need a workers’ compensation attorney in Aurora, Champaign, Chicago, or throughout the state of Illinois, contact Jay Johnson work comp and personal injury lawyer at Woodruff Johnson & Evans Law Offices at (630) 585-2320.

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 Lawyer 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