Retired judge Tinder joins Chicago firm as neutral, consultant

John Tinder (IL file photo)

Retired federal judge John Tinder has joined the law firm Kaplan & Grady LLC as of counsel.

Tinder joined the Chicago firm — a litigation boutique focusing on complex commercial litigation and catastrophic prison and jail cases — on Feb. 8. He will work as a neutral and a consultant.

“The lawyers at Kaplan & Grady are extremely talented, and they work hard to improve the lives and businesses of their clients through creative and strategic applications of the legal system,” Tinder said in a news release. “I am fortunate to have the opportunity to associate with them in efforts to resolve difficult legal disputes.”

Tinder retired from the 7^th Circuit Court of Appeals in 2015 following eight years on the Chicago appellate bench.

Since his retirement, he has worked as a mediator, arbitrator and litigation consultant.

Howard Kaplan, a founding partner at Kaplan & Grady, said the firm is “overjoyed” to have Tinder on its team.

“He is universally respected as a jurist by parties, counsel, and judges alike, and for good reason. He brings wisdom and unflagging dedication to excellence to every legal puzzle,” Kaplan said in a news release. “Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a commitment to careful, even-handed, and just application of the law. We are grateful that he has chosen to join our firm, where he can continue his work at the highest level. We look forward to supporting his dispute-resolution matters and having him as an asset for our clients and lawyers.”

Before joining the 7^th Circuit bench, Tinder served for 20 years as a judge of the Indiana Southern District Court and three years as U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Indiana.

He was admitted into the bar in 1975 after graduating from what is now known as the Indiana University Maurer School of Law.

Tinder began his career as an assistant U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, a public defender in Marion County and then a deputy prosecutor in Marion County. He then spent about seven years in private practice before being named U.S. attorney in 1984.