Integrity, Experience and Professionalism You Can Trust
Biography
James J. Laraia is an energetic, well-rounded attorney with knowledge and experience in a wide range of practice areas, including family law, civil litigation, and criminal matters. He routinely practices in DuPage, Kane, Will, and Kendall counties. After obtaining his B.A. from Illinois Benedictine College in 1997, Mr. Laraia went on to earn his Juris Doctor Degree from Northern Illinois University College of Law in 2001. Mr. Laraia began his legal career working for the DuPage County State's Attorney, first as a clerk and then as an Assistant State's Attorney. He later went into private practice in 2003 where he focuses his practice in family law and civil litigation and has experience handling matrimonial law, child custody and child support issues, post-decree petitions, adoptions, and parentage cases. He also handles complex civil matters in the areas of consumer fraud defense, contract litigation, estate litigation, appellate practice, orders of protection, business law, and drafting simple wills and children's trusts. Mr. Laraia's wide range and experience in many different areas of law is an asset his clients can depend on in analyzing their matter and providing options for achievable outcomes.
Education
- Northern Illinois University College of Law, DeKalb, Illinois
- Juris Doctor - 2001
- Illinois Benedictine College
- B.A. - 1997
Past Positions
- Private Practice from 2003 to present - Laraia & Whitty, P.C., being named Partner in 2009
- Assistant State's Attorney, DuPage County, Wheaton, Illinois, 2002-2003 - Criminal Prosecutor, Traffic and Misdemeanor Division
- Law Clerk - DuPage County State's Attorney's Office, Wheaton, Illinois, 2000-2001
Professional Associations
- Illinois State Bar Association, Assembly Member
- DuPage County Bar Association, Associate General Counsel, (2019-2020), President (2015-2016), Former 2nd Vice President, Assistant Treasurer, (2008-2010), Entertainment Committee, Chairman and past Vice Chairman, Memorial Committee Chair, Member and Past Chair of The Trial Advocacy Committee
- Kane County Bar Association
- DuPage County Justinian Society of Lawyers, Past President, Comptroller, and Member
- DuPage County Judiciary Committee, Past Chair and Long Standing Board Member
- Northern Illinois University College of Law Justinian Society, Past Vice-President and founding member
- DuPage County Inns of Court, Past President
- DCBA Board of Directors Award, (2018-2019)
- Leading Lawyer, Peer Selected
Current Employment Position
- Laraia & Whitty PC, Attorney/Partner
Practice Areas
- Family Law
- Divorce
- Property and Asset Division
- Parenting Time
- Allocation of Parental Responsibilities
- Child Support
- Spousal Maintenance
- Complex and High Asset Divorce
- Post Judgment Enforcement and Modifications
- Adoption
- Guardianships
- Parentage and Paternity
- Domestic Violence and Orders Protection
- Civil Litigation
- Business Litigation
- Estate & Probate Litigation
- Personal Injury Defense
- Real Estate
- Estate Planning
Bar Admissions
- Illinois
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois
Honors
- DCBA Board of Directors Award, 2018-2019
- Leading Lawyer, Peer Selected