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Dudley leads Illinois Trial Lawyers Association

LIBERTYVILLE - J. Matthew Dudley, co-founder of Dudley & Lake law firm, was installed as the 68th president of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association on Friday, June 4, during its virtual board meeting.

Dudley, 53, received his law degree from the University of Tulsa College of Law in 1993, and his bachelor's degree from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1989. In 2000, he founded his own law firm in Lake County, which became the firm Dudley & Lake in 2002. The firm currently consists of nine lawyers and represents clients throughout Illinois.

As an experienced trial lawyer, Dudley handles complex medical malpractice, personal injury and nursing home neglect cases. He has successfully tried cases throughout the state and has received favorable verdicts for his clients.

Since 2004, Dudley has been a member of ITLA's board of managers and has served on the organization's Executive Committee since 2016. He was selected as the third vice president in 2018. He has co-chaired the publications committee for the Trial Journal since 2010. Dudley's father, James, served as executive director of the organization from 1981-1992.

Dudley is an active member of the American Association of Justice, where his firm is a member of the Leaders Forum.

He also belongs to the Illinois State Bar Association and the Lake County Bar Association, where he serves on the Judicial Evaluation Committee.

Dudley is a frequent lecturer and author. Additionally, he has been consistently recognized as one of the top 100 lawyers in Illinois by both Illinois Super Lawyers and Illinois Leading Lawyers.

Dudley is the president of the Lake County Haven, a social-service agency dedicated to meeting the needs of homeless women and children located in Libertyville, and has served on its board of directors since 2018.

"I am honored and humbled to have the privilege of leading such an important association," Dudley said. "For decades ITLA has protected the rights of Illinois citizens to receive a fair jury trial."

During this time of recovery from the pandemic, Dudley said he will work with the judiciary and other bar association leaders to ensure a prompt and efficient return to a working civil justice system.

Dudley resides in Libertyville with his wife, Jane, and their four daughters.

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