John M. Spesia

Joliet, Illinois
Partner since 2000
phone (815) 726-4311
fax 815-846-2410
email John

John Spesia is a lifelong resident of Will County. He graduated from the University of Denver Law School with high academic honors as a member of the Order of St. Ives. Upon graduation, Spesia was selected to serve as a Law Clerk to a Federal District Judge in Chicago, where he had hands-on training in Federal Court procedures and trial matters.

Since joining Spesia & Ayers in 1991, he has focused his practice almost exclusively on negligence cases, including automobile, trucking and motorcycle collisions, medical and dental malpractice and nursing home abuse, recovering millions of dollars on behalf of victims of negligence. A few of his accomplishments included a $4.5 million settlement, a judgment for more than $3.1 million on behalf of the widow of a 41 year old businessman killed in a trucking collision, and an $800,000 settlement for a 68 year old automobile crash victim.

Spesia also recovered over $1.1 million for a motorcycle passenger severely injured in a collision. In addition, he recently recovered over $1 million for a 40-year-old victim of medical malpractice and won a $700,000 jury verdict in another medical negligence case. Spesia has twice argued landmark cases in the Illinois Supreme Court, including a recent case in 2009 (seen here) that resulted in a recovery of over $900,000.

Over the years, Spesia has also been involved in property rights litigation and has coordinated significant land acquisition projects for major pipeline companies, including Alliance Pipeline, Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America, Kinder Morgan and Enbridge Energy Partners. He is well versed in property rights issues and the prosecution of condemnation matters. In 2005 he was named one of "40 Under 40" Illinois Attorneys to Watch and has been named to SuperLawyers® in 2009 and 2010. He has received an AV rating from Marindale Hubbel American Law Directory, the highest rating for legal ability and ethical standards.

He is the former Chairman of the Corporate Board of Directors of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Joliet, President of the Board of Directors of the Boy's and Girl's Club of Joliet and a member of the Joliet Rotary Club.