James J. Morici, Jr., Class of 1979

Trial lawyer with track record of multimillion dollar verdicts and settlements 

A partner with the law firm Morici, Figlioli & Associates, James Morici is an accomplished trial lawyer with dozens of multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts to his credit. After graduating from Chicago-Kent in 1979, he began his legal career with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office as an Assistant State’s Attorney. After eventually attaining the position of First Chair Prosecutor at the Criminal Courts Building at 26th and California, Morici left in 1987 to enter private practice in the field of plaintiff’s personal injury litigation. Since then, he has exclusively represented seriously injured plaintiffs in personal injury and wrongful death litigation, concentrating primarily on cases brought under principles of construction site negligence, premises liability and products liability.

Morici is a graduate of the National Institute of Trial Advocacy’s Teacher’s Training Course and has taught on the adjunct faculty at John Marshall Law School, Loyola University School of Law and Triton College. He is a past president of the Justinian Society of Lawyers and the Italian American Political Coalition and is currently a member of the Chicago-Kent Alumni Board of Directors.

What has been your greatest professional achievement?

Founding of Morici, Figlioli & Associates, and the great success the firm has had representing the injured in personal injury and worker’s compensation matters. Being able to help so many people because the firm has been so successful.

How did Chicago-Kent prepare you for your present success?

What has been your greatest professional challenge? How did you overcome it?

Being the first person in my family to graduate from college and professional school. My greatest challenge was getting started in my career without much help.

What did you think you were going to be when you grew up?

About the time I was ten years old, I was going to be a trial lawyer.  My grandmother in frustration would sometimes wave her finger at me and say to “You’re going to be a good lawyer someday,” and somehow that kind of stuck. As far as I can remember, I was going to be a lawyer.

What is something people would be surprised to know about you?

I have a reputation for being a tough guy in the court room. So I think that I’m a Boy Scout leader, a Little League Coach and a hockey dad.

Who is your favorite Supreme Court Justice living or dead?

I’ve always considered myself a little bit of an underdog so I’ve always like the Justices who were similarly situated. Thurgood Marshall, ground-breaking Justice, comes to mind. Sandra Day O’Connor comes to mind as well.

What does it mean to you to be one of Chicago-Kent’s 125 Alumni of Distinction?

I am so honored. To be in that group is such honor not only to me but to my family, my children and the people that came before me whose work, dedication and sacrifice gave me the opportunity to be a college student and a law student, and now a practicing lawyer.