James J. Eccleston

LLC Managing Member
P: 312-332-0000     F: 312-332-0003

Jim Eccleston is the chief strategist and lead attorney for all clients of Eccleston Law. His 28-year legal career has earned him the highest awards and distinctions by both his clients and his peers. Among the top 5% of all attorneys, Jim Eccleston has earned awards and distinctions such as:

  • Martindale-Hubbell, AV Preeminent Attorney – Judicial Edition
  • Martindale-Hubbell, AV Preeminent Attorney
  • Illinois Super Lawyer, every year since its inception in 2005
  • Illinois Leading Lawyer, Employment Law category

Jim Eccleston is a highly acclaimed securities litigation lawyer for good reason.  First, he has business expertise in the financial services industry and holds/has held numerous securities licenses, including the investment adviser Series 65, securities principal Series 24, and securities representative Series 7.  Additionally, in the FINRA Dispute Resolution Forum, he is and serves as a chairperson-qualified arbitrator, as well as a qualified FINRA mediator. Finally, for many years, Jim Eccleston has written articles and monthly columns for publications and magazines such as: 

  • Chicago Lawyer
  • The Chicago Daily Law Bulletin
  • On Wall Street
  • InvestmentNews
  • Wealth Manager
  • Research Magazine
  • Registered Representative

In addition, Jim Eccleston has appeared on CNN, First Business Morning News, WCIU Chicago, and various radio talk shows and is frequently quoted in the press.

Attorneys and financial advisors nationwide select Jim Eccleston to educate them about securities and employment law. A few of Jim Eccleston's accomplishments include:

  • A white paper on “Unintended Consequences: The Protocol that Binds,” for the Practical Compliance and Risk Management for the Securities Industry (2009)

  • Presented a speech on “Arbitration Basics” at the Practicing Law Institute’s program on Federal Civil Practice Update (2010)

  • Spoke before the Practicing Law Institute on “The Wild West; Navigating the Uncertain Waters of Arbitration, Generally and Particularly with Securities Matters” (2011)

  • Presented a speech on “Avoiding Lawsuits as a Financial Adviser” for the Financial Planning Association in January 2011.

  • Presented a speech on “Transition, Exiting or Merging: It’s About Choices (and Advance Planning)" at the Florida Symposium for Financial Planning (FPA of Tampa Bay, Florida) (2012)

  • Co-authored a white paper “An Analysis of the Potential Impact of a Uniform Fiduciary Standard Upon Broker-Dealers, Registered Investment Advisers and Dually-Registered Advisers,” for Practical Compliance and Risk Management for the Securities Industry (2013)

  • Co-authored a white paper, “2014: A New Era in Securities Supervision and Compliance Developments”, for Practical Compliance and Risk Management for the Securities Industry (2014)

Likewise, Jim Eccleston has presented webinars on various subjects such as:

  • Key Guidance on Hedge Fund Investing
  • Avoiding Traps in Your Transition
  • The Evolution of Fiduciary Liability For Investment Losses
  • Recovering Your Losses From Misguided Real Estate Investments
  • Buying or Selling An Investment Advisory Firm
  • Implementing Effective Email and Document Retention Policies and Procedures

Awards and Accolades

2024 Judicial Edition award for James Eccleston for Highest possible rating in both legal ability and ethical standards.
2023 Lawyers.com Highest Possible Rating in Legal Ability and Ethical Standards award
 America's Most Honored Lawyers Award for James Eccleston
2024 Judicial Edition award for James Eccleston for Highest possible rating in both legal ability and ethical standards.
eccleston-law-highest-rating-award
 

TESTIMONIALS

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Jim, Stephany and the whole team were a God send.  We felt like we were put into a situation where we had no advocate. Jim’s team came in with a strong, well laid out strategy on how to get our story heard. Where our outside compliance company had no ability to help, our Broker Dealer was impenitent, and the regulators were aggressive pursuing vague rules, Jim came like a barricade against an assault we did not understand. Though you pay member dues to be affiliated with FINRA and a B/D, you have no voice. The only thing that is truly heard in this un-level playing field is a bulldog’s bark like Jim’s. I would encourage anyone to call Jim and his team to find a real ally in the tough and complicated world of securities regulation. They are truly the best.

Greg P.

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