Personal Background
James Campbell of The Lanier Law Firm serves as a proud advocate for cancer victims in asbestos litigation cases.
A graduate of Washington University School of Law, Mr. Campbell is licensed to practice law in Illinois, Missouri, and Louisiana, and has represented clients in many other states on a temporary basis.
Since graduating from law school in 2012, Mr. Campbell has successfully challenged some of the largest corporations on behalf of his clients, including securing significant appellate victories that have shaped litigation strategy in mesothelioma and asbestos cases nationwide. He has been recognized by Forbes as one of the Best Mesothelioma Lawyers in Chicago for his work on behalf of clients affected by mesothelioma.
Trial work has always been at the center of James’s practice. At the Lanier Law Firm, he has the opportunity to work alongside many of the country’s leading trial lawyers while helping prepare and try cases involving some of the most complex issues in toxic tort litigation. He enjoys developing trial strategy, simplifying complicated scientific and medical evidence, and advocating for clients whose lives have been permanently changed by asbestos exposure.
Outside the courtroom, James serves on the Chicago Bar Association’s Board of Managers and chairs the Trial Practice Committee, where he organizes continuing legal education programs and interviews accomplished trial lawyers from across the country.
He is also a frequent speaker at legal conferences on asbestos litigation, trial advocacy, and the evolving role of artificial intelligence in litigation. His presentations focus on the practical and ethical use of AI to improve legal research, case preparation, and trial practice while maintaining the highest standards of professional responsibility.
Whether trying cases, arguing appeals, speaking to lawyers around the country, or mentoring younger attorneys, James is passionate about advancing the craft of trial advocacy and pursuing justice for individuals and families facing life-changing diagnoses.
Representative Experience
Mr. Campbell represents mesothelioma patients and their families in complex litigation against major corporations. His practice includes handling mesothelioma cases with expedited trial settings, securing favorable outcomes in challenging jurisdictions, and navigating intricate legal issues at the appellate level.
Mr. Campbell has successfully represented clients from a wide range of occupational and military backgrounds, including U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force veterans, shipyard workers, railroad workers, boilermakers, sheet metal workers, pipefitters, insulators, drywall workers, electricians, auto mechanics, autobody technicians, construction workers, and laborers. His cases have involved asbestos exposures from a broad spectrum of products and environments, including automotive products, gaskets, insulation, refractory materials, shipyard and naval vessel environments, joint compounds, talc-containing cosmetic and personal hygiene products, and occupational settings across manufacturing, transportation, and the trades. Mr. Campbell has also represented many family members who were exposed to asbestos through the activities of their family members. Mr. Campbell has successfully litigated these matters in multiple jurisdictions throughout the country, tailoring his approach to the unique legal, medical, and factual demands of each client’s case.
Community and Professional Activities
- Board of Managers for the Chicago Bar Association
- Chair of the Trial Practice Committee for the Chicago Bar Association
- Member of American Association for Justice
- Member of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
- Member of the Louisiana State Bar Association
- Member of the Missouri State Bar Association
- President and Director, Payton Alumni Community and Endowment (2021-2026)
Media and Speaking Engagements
- 2026 Perrin Conferences Conference Speaker: National Asbestos Litigation Conference
- 2026 Perrin Conferences CLE Webinar Speaker: AI, ethics, and litigation
- 2026 Perrin Conferences’ Cutting-Edge Issues in Asbestos Litigation: AI and Ethical Considerations
- 2026 Plaintiff Asbestos Litigation Seminar (“PALS”) Speaker: AI Tips for Asbestos Cases
- 2026 Illinois Township Attorneys Association (“ITAA”) Moderator: AI Challenges & Opportunities for Lawyers & Government
- 2026 Chicago Bar Association Moderator: Inside the Landmark Social Media Addiction Trial: Lessons from the Front Lines
- 2026 Chicago Bar Association Moderator: From Discovery to Verdict: Takeaways from the Uber Sexual Assault Bellwether Trial
- 2025 Chicago Bar Association Moderator: Mass Tort and Asbestos Trials in Cook County
- 2025 Chicago Bar Association Moderator: Happenings in the Law Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County
- 2025 Chicago Bar Association Moderator: ChatGPT on Trial
- 2025 Chicago Bar Association Moderator: AI on Trial: Trial Practice and Preparation
- 2025 Chicago Bar Association Moderator: Leadership and Litigation: A Conversation with Deputy Corporation Counsel Margaret Mendenhall Casey
- 2025 McHenry County Bar Association Speaker: High-Stakes Litigation, Lessons Learned from Handling Mass Tort Cases Across America
- 2024 Chicago Bar Association Moderator: An Inside Look with Leading Civil Rights Attorney Jon Loevy
- 2024 Chicago Bar Association Moderator: Trial Tips from the Illinois Appellate Court
- 2024 Chicago Bar Association Speaker: Basic Skills for Newly Admitted Attorneys