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James D. Ahern is a partner in the firm’s Chicago office and has dedicated his career to the defense of medical malpractice cases. Mr. Ahern is also co-chair of the firm's Associate Training and Development program. He is involved in all aspects of case handling; from discovery through trial through the appeal. He has served as both first and second chair in trials involving various medical specialties including neonatology, pathology, emergency medicine, orthopedics, otolaryngology, ENT medicine, and family practice. Mr. Ahern has represented many other medical specialties in cases that have been resolved prior to trial. He has extensive experience in representing various health care practitioners, such as doctors (both allopathic and osteopathic), surgeons, nurses, podiatrists, and dentists. He has represented both the individual health care provider and the health care institution. Mr. Ahern has dealt with virtually all issues involved in defending health care practitioners, from care and treatment to informed consent. Mr. Ahern was also involved in a unique case where the plaintiff alleged fraud under the guise of medical malpractice. The case went to trial and the jury rejected the plaintiff’s novel theory and found the hospital not guilty in Williams v. Chicago Osteopathic Hospital. Mr. Ahern has been involved with medical/legal issues from a professional liability insurance perspective having served as a Professional Liability Supervisor for Illinois State Medical Inter-Insurance Exchange. Additionally, he worked with the Chicago Rock Island and Pacific Railroad on personal injury and FELA claims. He also completed course study for both CPCU and AIC. He has lectured frequently to medical and legal groups on medical malpractice and health care related issues. | 