James Gay
Attorney
After working in a small firm helping people recover for their injuries, Jim founded James Gay Law, LLC in 2010 to assist individuals who have suffered catastrophic losses due to the conduct of others in personal injury, medical malpractice, workers compensation and wrongful death claims. Jim brings a strong record of success recovering millions of dollars on behalf of his clients.
Born and raised in the Chicagoland area, Jim obtained two bachelor’s degrees from the University of Missouri-Columbia and returned to Chicago to obtain his law degree from DePaul University College of Law in 2008. While in law school, Jim was a law clerk at a prestigious personal injury firm in Chicago where he developed his deep desire to help people and a passion for the civil justice system.
Jim has been recognized for his hard work and success throughout the years and continues to earn respect from his colleagues. Jim is a highly skilled trial attorney, obtaining numerous jury verdicts in his clients’ favor. Having grown up in the Chicagoland area from a working-class family, Jim understands how hard it can be dealing with the ramifications of a serious injury.
Jim resides on the northwest side of Chicago in the Belmont Cragin neighborhood with his wife, Caitlin, and two sons, LJ and Tommy. When not practicing law, Jim spends time getting involved in his community. Jim also serves as the Chapter Advisor for the Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity, Epsilon Kappa Chapter at Loyola University-Chicago and serves on the Alumni Corporation Board for the Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity, Beta Beta Chapter at the University of Missouri-Columbia.
Cynthia Prado
Legal Assistant
Born and raised on the Southside of Chicago, Cynthia graduated with a degree from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. After working for other attorneys who specialize in workers compensation and personal injury cases, a temporary position at James Gay Law turned into a full-time position.
Her work ethic is on display every day as she diligently returns phone calls, submits correspondence, and onboards new clients. Cynthia enjoys assisting clients with any questions they might have about their case and she also enjoys the learning experiences the law firm offers her. She learns about new terminology, new methods of working and new ways to help the clients she comes in contact with every day.
The positive work environment also inspires Cynthia as she goes about her day. In her spare time, she enjoys watching sports and reading a good book.
Liz Villagran
Legal Assistant
While she grew up in the Chicagoland area, Liz graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Southern Illinois University. After graduation, she found a position at a law firm in the city. When James Gay Law was looking for new hires, she was happy to find she could help the firm continue to grow.
Her day-to-day tasks vary, as do the cases she assists with, but Liz’s organizational nature helps with maintaining files and schedules. Liz finds the complicated cases the most rewarding. She learns something new with every worker’s comp case and appreciates the straightforward nature of motor vehicle collision cases. She helps Spanish-speaking clients communicate with the rest of the staff.
Liz enjoys knowing that clients are taken care of at James Gay Law and has even referred people she knows to the law firm. She enjoys the work environment and her coworkers. In her spare time, Liz enjoys creating mixed media art and staying active by playing sports like rugby and softball.
Anelle Sanchez
Law Clerk
After growing up in Orange County and attending Cal State Fullerton for an undergraduate degree, Anelle received her Juris Doctor from DePaul University here in Chicago. She was on the editorial board for DePaul’s College of Law Journal of Women, Gender & the Law and was the symposium editor during her last term.
Anelle’s desire to accomplish tasks in a timely manner helps with the many items on her daily to-do list. She does research for cases, drafts pleadings, motions, and demand letters. Her position as the law clerk at James Gay Law allows her to interact with clients and help people through her work on cases. She became interested in personal injury law when she took an insurance law class in law school and now she gets to help those with similar cases to those she studied.
Anelle enjoys the opportunity she has at James Gay Law to work with an area of the law that interests her and help people in the process. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering and being outdoors, taking walks along the river or lake when she can.
