Judge James G. Riley (Ret.) joined FMS Law Group in 2017 after 20 years as a Cook County Circuit Court Judge. Judge Riley concentrates his practice in the areas of probate (including guardianship and decedent’s estate) administration and litigation, estate planning, and also serves as a mediator for contested estate, trust and guardianship matters.

Judge Riley spent his first one and a half years as a Judge in the Chicago Traffic Center and his last eighteen and a half years in the Probate Division. Judge Riley presided over all aspects of the Probate Division, including minor estates, adult guardianship estates, and decedent estates. He retired as the Supervising Judge of the Probate Division, a position he held for his last six years as a Judge.

Throughout his tenure in the Probate Division, he was a constant guest speaker and lecturer on probate matters with the Chicago Bar Association, the Southwest Bar Association, and the West Suburban Bar Association. He was and still is an active member of the Probate Rule and Forms Committee of the CBA.

Prior to being elected to the bench, Judge Riley was an owner of Riley Riley & Riley in the Southwest Suburbs of Cook County, a general practice law firm practicing in the areas of misdemeanor criminal work, real estate, land development, contract and construction dispute, condominium development, zoning and land use, family law and probate. Riley Riley & Riley was the largest family law firm in Illinois comprised of Judge Riley’s father and four other siblings. Judge Riley graduated from The John Marshall Law School in May of 1982.

Email Judge Riley: james.riley@fmslawgroup.com

Call Judge Riley: (312) 332-6381 extension: 104