About James F.
James F. Hurst earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1989. He completed his legal education at a time of shifting markets and growing regulatory complexity. The Penn Law credential set a foundation for a long career in Illinois practice.
He is a partner at Winston & Strawn LLP. Over the years he has taken on matters that require sustained attention and careful planning. As a partner, he manages client relationships and coordinates the work of associate lawyers and support staff. Colleagues describe him as steady in the room and deliberate in his decision-making.
Hurst's professional life is rooted in Illinois. He has practiced in the state for decades and has handled a range of matters on behalf of corporate and individual clients. His work has involved transactional review, contract counseling and dispute resolution. He is accustomed to shifting priorities and complex procedural tasks that characterize large-firm practice.
Clients and peers have relied on him for pragmatic legal advice. He approaches problems by breaking them into manageable parts. That approach guides how he prepares for negotiations, drafts agreements and responds to litigation developments. The result is work that aims to be thorough and practical rather than flashy.
Within the firm, Hurst participates in the collaborative model that large law firms use to serve clients. He leads teams on matters that call for coordination across practice groups and offices. He also spends time mentoring newer lawyers, offering guidance on courtroom tactics and the subtleties of client communication.
Beyond casework, he follows developments in the law that affect his clients. He reads court opinions and regulatory updates closely. When a new issue emerges, he moves to assess its implications and advise clients on next steps.
He maintains his practice from Winston & Strawn LLP and practices law in Illinois. He currently works on matters for clients at the firm, focusing his practice on representing those clients in Illinois.
