ChicagoGenevaMadison

Joseph R. Vallort Partner

Phone: (312) 634-1266
Fax: (312) 460-8299
Email: jvallort@cyp-law.com
Assistant Name: Seona Marshall
Assistant Phone: (312) 634-1276
Joe's practice involves representing our clients both in and out of the courtroom in a broad variety of areas including toxic tort litigation, environmental law, catastrophic injury cases, employment law, civil rights defense, municipal issues, and transactional matters.

Joe is the firm's lead asbestos litigator representing several chemical companies in premises and product liability asbestos matters throughout the state. Since joining Chilton Yambert Porter in 2002, Joe has represented all our Fortune 100 clients.

Immediately after law school, Joe spent 6 years as a prosecutor in Alaska. Joe first worked as a prosecutor in the Narcotics division before being promoted to Violent Felonies. Working with the Anchorage Police Department Joe would be involved from the commission of the crime until the jury verdict. Prosecutors obtained crime scene warrants, assisted in the interrogation of suspects, approved cooperation agreements, and tried cases. All of this gave Joe a solid foundation for his civil litigation practice.

After moving back to Chicago, Joe began his civil litigation practice. Joe has tried over 20 cases involving wrongful death, catastrophic injury, toxic tort, property damage and federal tort claims, including obtaining a not guilty verdict in an asbestos case pending in Madison County, Illinois, which is known to be extremely plaintiff friendly. Given this experience, Joe has been selected as a speaker at national toxic tort conferences.

Joe believes that the goal of a good litigator is to serve the needs of the client and then develop a comprehensive plan to give them the best chance of achieving the client's goal. Much like the homicide cases Joe worked on in Alaska, Joe starts by having a candid conversation with the client about what the client wants and expects out of the litigation. Joe then develops the evidence by investigating potential witnesses and using modern litigation techniques to analyze the discovery. Joe works with the client to develop themes supported by the evidence, and retains appropriate experts to best express these themes. Armed with this information, he utilizes ADR in an attempt to resolve the case without the time and expense of a jury trial. If ADR does not work, Joe has the experience and skill to try the case before a jury.

Joe has taken a leading role in developing the skills of CYP's newer associates and managing the law school students who clerk with us regularly.

Joe graduated from Marquette University in 1989 and from The John Marshall Law School in 1992 where he was a member of the Moot Court Council. He is admitted to the State Bars of Illinois and Alaska as well as the United Stated District Court for the Northern District of Illinois where he is a member of the trial bar.

Leading Lawyers Awards

Joseph R.
Vallort
Peer Selected 2023

Practice Areas

Class Action, Commercial Litigation, Construction Litigation, Environmental Law, Labor & Employment Law, Premises Liability, Products Liability, Toxic Tort Law

Bar Admissions

  • State of Alaska (1992)
  • State of Illinois (1992)
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
  • United States District Court for Northern District of Illinois, Trial Bar certified
  • United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois
  • United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois
  • United States District Court for Western District of Wisconsin

Education

  • J.D., John Marshall Law School, 1992
  • B.A., Marquette University, 1989

Professional Affiliations

  • DRI
  • IADTC

Representative Cases

  • Glass v. NL Industries, Inc.

Community Involvement

  • AYSO coach and referee
  • Elmhurst School District Education Review board member

Honors & Awards

  • Leading Lawyers 2019, 2020 and 2021
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