John J. Malm: Naperville Personal Injury Attorney with 30 Years of Experience
John J. Malm is a highly experienced trial lawyer with three decades of expertise in personal injury and wrongful death litigation. His practice spans DuPage, Kane, Cook, and Will counties, as well as the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
John leads a focused personal injury law firm, concentrating on cases involving:
- Automobile and truck accidents
- Pedestrian and motorcycle accidents
- Dog bites and animal attacks
- Sports injuries
- Defective products and product liability
- Nursing home abuse and sexual abuse claims
- Uninsured motorist claims
John’s firm has secured millions in compensation for clients and their families, achieving successful outcomes in Illinois trial courts and appellate courts.
Background and Education
John was born on May 27, 1966, at the U.S. Naval Air Station in Key West, Florida, and grew up in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. He graduated from Glenbard West High School in 1984. He holds a J.D., cum laude, from Valparaiso University School of Law (1993), where he served as Articles Editor of the Valparaiso University Law Review and was active in Moot Court competitions. He earned his B.A. from Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois, in 1988.
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
- Illinois, 1993
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois, 1993
John has also been admitted pro hac vice in cases across Alaska, New Mexico, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, and Texas.
Professional Achievements
John has been recognized as an Illinois Super Lawyer from 2014 to 2024, a testament to his dedication and success in personal injury litigation.
Awards & Recognition
John’s work on behalf of injured individuals has earned recognition from respected legal organizations that evaluate professional achievement and peer reputation in personal injury law. He has been selected for inclusion in Super Lawyers for many consecutive years and has been named a Top 10 Personal Injury Attorney in Illinois by the National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys. John has also been included among America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators and is a life member of the Million Dollar Trial Lawyers and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. His professional standing is further reflected by recognition from Above the Policy, Seven Figure Litigators, Elite Lawyers, and America’s Top 50 Lawyers, along with a Superb rating from Avvo and membership in The National Trial Lawyers.
John is appreciative of these honors, but he is quick to credit the clients who place their confidence in the firm and the team that stands beside him. He believes recognition is a byproduct of doing the work carefully, treating people with respect, and being available when guidance is needed most.
As he often says: “I am grateful to have helped our clients recover more than $100 million and to work with a team that brings over 95 years of combined experience in personal injury litigation. What matters most is being there for people, answering their questions, and helping them find stability again after an injury.”
Professional & Bar Association Memberships
Appellate Decisions
In Re the Estate of Ann L. Cuneo, 334 Ill.App.3d 594, 780 N.E.2d 325 (2nd Dist. 2002).
Nicholson v. State Farm Mutual Automobile Ins. Co., No. 2-08-0639 (filed 3/23/10; corrected 4/14/10) (2nd Dist. 2010). See section 143a–2 of the Illinois Insurance Code [215 ILCS 5/143a–2 (West 1998)].
Published Articles
Confronting the “Contacts Sports” Rule in Sports Injury Litigation against Organizational Defendants, ITLA Journal, Volume 18, No. 2, Summer 2016.
Lectures
Injuries Inflicted by Minors: Navigating Parental Liability and Insurance Coverage When Children Cause Harm, Barbri, April 24, 2025.
Settling the Case: A Plaintiff’s Perspective, Civil Law MCLE Meeting, DuPage County Bar Association, March 6, 2019.
Anatomy of a Disputed Documents Case, Estate Planning & Probate Section MCLE Meeting, DCBA, April 12, 2016.
Reviewing Medical Records and Bills for Injury Litigation, Paralegal Studies, College of DuPage, 2014.
Legal Career
John began his legal career at Clausen Miller P.C., where he handled complex tort litigation in state and federal courts, concentrating on catastrophic fire and explosion cases. From his earliest days as a lawyer, he understood that behind every file was a person or family trying to regain footing after an unexpected loss. That perspective shaped the way he practiced then and continues to guide the way he practices today: listen carefully, prepare thoroughly, and be available when clients need answers.
In 2001, John founded John J. Malm & Associates with a simple goal: to create a law firm where injured individuals would receive not only strong advocacy, but personal attention and honest guidance. What began as a small, focused practice, has grown into a respected personal injury firm with offices in Naperville and St. Charles, serving communities throughout Illinois and beyond.
Across more than three decades, John has represented thousands of clients and helped secure numerous seven-figure recoveries. His work has taken him to courtrooms across the state, throughout the country, and even internationally, including litigation involving defendants in Japan. Yet regardless of the size of the case or the distance traveled, John believes clients deserve the same thing they would expect from a trusted advisor close to home: responsiveness, clarity, and steady support.
Today, John leads a team of six award-recognized attorneys whose combined experience in personal injury litigation exceeds 95 years. He views leadership as an extension of service: setting the tone for how clients are treated, making sure calls are returned, questions are answered, and cases are prepared with the care they deserve. Many clients are surprised to find that even after decades in practice, John remains personally involved, helping shape strategy and staying connected from the first meeting through resolution.
The firm has grown, but the mission established on day one remains unchanged: build a team that treats every client the way we would want our own family treated.
Philosophy
John’s professional philosophy is rooted in one guiding principle: to provide clients with the highest level of professional service to help them achieve meaningful recoveries after an injury or loss.
Community Involvement
John serves on the Chicago Advisory Board of the Concussion Legacy Foundation (“CLF”), advocating for brain research and athlete safety.
John has lived in Batavia, Illinois for the past 25 years. He is actively involved in his community, supporting organizations such as American Youth Foundation, UNICEF, Heifer International, the Batavia Interfaith Clothes Closet, the Batavia Food Pantry, Batavia United Way, and Tri-City Family Services. He has proudly served as a volunteer coach in Tri-Cities Soccer Association, Batavia Youth Baseball, and Batavia Youth Football.
Personal Life
John has been married to his wife, Sara, for 37 years, and they have four adult sons. His interests include travel, sports, skiing, boating, photography, history, architecture and design, cooking, off-road trail riding and classic cars.
Areas Served
John represents personal injury accident victims throughout Northern Illinois, including the following localities: DuPage County, Kane County, Cook County, Will County, DeKalb County, LaSalle County, Lee County, Ogle County, Stephenson County, Winnebago County, and Grundy County. John also serves the following communities: Naperville, Aurora, Wheaton, Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles, Elgin, North Aurora, DeKalb, Sycamore, Rochelle, Rockford, Freeport, LaSalle, Oswego, Ottawa, Plainfield, Bolingbrook, and Joliet.
