Timothy “T.J.” specializes in workers’ compensation and general liability defense, representing insurance carriers, third-party administrators and self-insured employers through all stages of complex litigation. He is an active presenter at nationally recognized legal conferences, including programs for the Workers’ Compensation Defense Institute, National Business Institute and Lorman Education Services.

Reflecting his strong reputation in the field, T.J. has earned a spot on the Illinois Super Lawyers Rising Stars list for several years running—an honor reserved for the top 2.5% of lawyers in the state.

Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family, traveling and cheering on his beloved Chicago sports teams.

• Education:

  • J.D., DePaul University College of Law, Chicago, Illinois, 2016
  • B.S., Illinois State University, Bloomington-Normal, Illinois, 2013

• Seminars & Presentations:

  • Breakout Session: Only the Good Claims Close Early, Workers’ Compensation Defense Institute, August 2025
  • State of the States: Case Law Highlights from Around the Nation, Workers’ Compensation Defense Institute, August 2024
  • General Session: Orlando, We Have a Problem, Workers’ Compensation Defense Institute, August 2024
  • Breakout Session: Mission to M.A.R.S., Workers’ Compensation Defense Institute, August 2024
  • State of the States Session, Workers’ Compensation Defense Institute, August 2023
  • Breakout on Multi-State Workers’ Compensation Laws, Workers’ Compensation Institute, August 2023
  • Key Differences Between Illinois and Indiana Workers’ Compensation, September 2023
  • Cracking the Case in Your State, Workers’ Compensation Defense Institute, June 2022
  • Breakout on Multi-State Workers’ Compensation Laws, Workers’ Compensation Institute, December 2021
  • It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World – What has the Pandemic Taught us in Regard to the Legal System?, Workers’ Compensation Institute, December 2021

• Articles & Publications:

  • A Slippery Slope: Further Analysis of Parking Lot Accidents, Downey Lenkov Milstein Kus Workers’ Compensation Newsletter, July 2022
  • A Shortcut to Denial, Downey Lenkov Milstein Kus Workers’ Compensation Newsletter, November 2021
  • Mistakes Happen: Carelessness ≠ Intentional or Vexatious, Downey Lenkov Milstein Kus Workers’ Compensation Newsletter, February 2021
  • Scar Improvement Reduces Permanency, Downey Lenkov Milstein Kus Workers’ Compensation Newsletter, August 2020
  • Rules Are Rules: Terminating of Employees with Workers Compensation Claims, Downey & Lenkov Workers’ Compensation Newsletter, October 2019
  • Closing the Gap: Lowering & Eliminating Wage Differential Claims, Downey Lenkov Milstein Kus Workers’ Compensation Newsletter, April 2019
  • Opening the Floodgates: Senate Bill 1596’s Ramifications, Downey Lenkov Milstein Kus Workers’ Compensation Newsletter, April 2019
  • Not So Fast: Why Alleged Amputations Deserve a Second Look, Downey Lenkov Milstein Kus Workers’ Compensation Newsletter, November 2018
  • Talk is Cheap: Why Simply Testifying is Not Enough, Downey Lenkov Milstein Kus Workers’ Compensation Newsletter, August 2018
  • Coming Off the Bench; The 5 Factors Are But Your Starting Lineup, Downey Lenkov Milstein Kus Workers’ Compensation Newsletter, May 2018
  • Employees are Not Rewarded for Being Stressed, Downey Lenkov Milstein Kus Workers’ Compensation Newsletter, February 2018