James W. Ozog

Jim Ozog has more than three decades of experience in product liability defense and commercial litigation. He has achieved national recognition for his litigation experience, which includes handling cases in 28 states and trying product liability cases to verdict in nine states.

Jim serves as national product liability defense counsel for a number of national and international manufacturers in fire, explosion, and catastrophic burn cases, and he defends several food and beverage manufacturers.

He also has significant experience defending toxic tort cases, including those involving exposure to asbestos, silicosis, welding fumes, and benzene. He also represents the transportation industry and affiliated insurance carriers as well as vehicle/component part manufacturers in catastrophic accidents and product liability cases.

Jim frequently speaks on product liability defense issues for organizations like the Chicago Bar Association and Propane Gas Defense Association, and at noted industry seminars including the Defense Research Institute (DRI) Fire and Casualty Seminar, the National Fire Prevention Association National Conference, and DRI’s Product Liability Conference.

In addition, Jim is a frequent author on product liability defense for leading industry publications like DRI’s The Voice and the Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel’s IDC Quarterly.

Professional Affiliations

• American Bar Association
• Illinois State Bar Association
• Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel
• Defense Research Institute: Former Chair, Consumer Products Specialized Litigation Group
• Propane Gas Defense Association: Former Member, Board of Directors
• Claims and Litigation Management Alliance

Education:

• Washington University, J.D., 1977
• Northwestern University, B.S., 1974