James P. Mooney focuses his practice on complex litigation in federal and state courts. He has briefed critical motions and appeals, made winning arguments in court, and steered clients through sensitive legal matters outside of the courtroom, including at the board level.
Before joining the firm, Mr. Mooney worked as an associate for a large international law firm and completed a yearlong public service fellowship at the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois. After graduating from Yale Law School, he clerked for Judge Lee H. Rosenthal of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas and Judge Thomas M. Hardiman of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
Mr. Mooney has published essays in The Yale Law Journal and The Yale Law & Policy Review.
Selected Engagements
Representing a former executive in a trade secrets case in federal court.
Representing a property owner in emergency litigation to halt unlawful construction.
Representing a high-net-worth client in divorce litigation involving the valuation and legal status of assets.
Prior to joining this firm:
Helped secure the repeated dismissal of a closely watched ERISA class action.
Drafted pre- and post-trial briefs, and won an oral argument on federal jury instructions, in a semiconductor patent infringement case.
Advised a client’s managing partner on navigating a board dispute in compliance with applicable law and board procedures.
Education
J.D., Yale Law School, 2019
B.A., Davidson College, History, 2014
Experience
Associate with this firm, 2026 to Present
Associate with Sidley Austin LLP, Chicago, 2022-2026
Arthur Liman public interest fellow at the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois, 2021-2022
Law clerk to the Hon. Thomas M. Hardiman, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, 2020-2021
Law clerk to the Hon. Lee H. Rosenthal, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, 2019-2020
Bar Admissions
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (General)
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas
Illinois
New York
Texas
Leadership
Executive Board Member, Next Generation Society of the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois
Publications
Comment, The Power of Police Officers to Give “Lawful Orders,” 129 Yale L.J. 1568 (2020)
Note, Deadlines in Civil Litigation: Toward a More Equitable Framework for Granting Extensions, 37 Yale L. & Pol’y Rev. 683 (2019)
