Taft Chicago partner J. Timothy Eaton has been honored by Chicago Lawyer magazine as its 2020 Person of the Year. Eaton was recognized for his many contributions to the Chicago legal community including chairing the Court Operations During COVID-19 Task Force.

In the article, “Up to the task: Taft’s J. Timothy Eaton guides the industry through rough waters,” Eaton’s peers share how his experience in both Cook County and the rest of the state, as well as the respect he garners from colleagues and court officials, makes him uniquely qualified for the role. The task force was convened to recommend guidelines for the reopening of courts in Illinois after an extended closure due to the pandemic.

Eaton is a senior litigation partner in Taft’s Chicago office, concentrating his practice on appeals, commercial litigation, and arbitration. An active member of local and national bar associations, he is a past president of the Chicago Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association, and the Appellate Lawyers Association of Illinois.

Each year Chicago Lawyer solicits nominations for a practicing lawyer, judge, or other member of Chicago’s legal community who has made a difference in the current year. Previous honorees include Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Chief Cook County Circuit Judge Timothy C. Evans.