Jim is a partner at Hardyman | DiVerde whose number one focus is listening to his clients and helping them devise creative and straightforward solutions to their legal needs. He focuses his practice on estate planning, business law, real estate matters, and probate and estate administration. In his corporate practice, he advises clients on entity formation, drafts, and reviews contracts, and represents clients in the sale or purchase of their businesses. In his real estate practice, Jim represents clients on residential and commercial transactions, zoning/land-use matters, and landlord-tenant disputes. Jim’s estate planning and administration practice consists of preparing wills and trusts and representing clients in their roles as executor or trustee.

In addition, Jim spends a significant amount of time on business and estate litigation, representing clients on various matters, including partnership disputes, commercial foreclosures, UCC litigation, trust and probate litigation, and collections. Jim represents clients in the state and federal courts of Illinois and has argued before the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.

While Jim was in law school, he worked as the lead law clerk for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Eugene, Oregon, and handled misdemeanor prosecutions for that office. Jim also interned as a student prosecutor for the Lane County, Oregon District Attorney’s Office. Prior to becoming an attorney, Jim worked as a program management consultant in the engineering and construction industry, volunteered with CASA Kane County, and served in the United States Marine Corps.

Jim calls Rockford home and lives here with his family. He volunteers on the board of the Veterans Drop-In Center, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. When he’s not busy at the office, Jim enjoys biking, running, and playing guitar.