Christopher J. Jump
Chris’ practice is diverse and extensive. His general practice areas include: Corporate/Business Advising and Litigation, Family Law, Criminal Law, Estate Planning (Wills, Powers of Attorney, and Trusts), Probate, Personal Injury, Real Estate, Traffic Law, and General Civil Litigation. Chris practices in both the State Courts of Illinois and United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois.
Since joining the firm, Chris has successfully litigated and/or negotiated a wide-variety of cases. His experience ranges from small claims to complex, multi-state litigation. Some of his experience has included: criminal defense, executive clemency and expungement, family cases (adoptions, divorce, name changes, child support, and college expenses cases), personal injury cases, dram shop litigation, contested estates and trusts, business disputes, contract disputes, landlord-tenant issues, collections, appeals, federal litigation, and others. He has also served as a Guardian Ad Litem in personal injury and guardianship proceedings.
Chris also practices a significant amount of transactional law. In addition to business formations, Chris has handled several business purchases and transactions for various types and sizes of entities. He also maintains a consistent estate planning and probate practice for estates ranging from small, non-probate estates to large, complex estates.
In addition to general practice, Chris serves as a Special Assistant Attorney General to the Illinois Attorney General, representing the Illinois Department of Transportation and Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Chris has also served as counsel to a variety of electric cooperatives in the State of Illinois, along with Attorney Nick Tinsman.
Prior to joining Barnhart, Tinsman & Associates, Ltd. in 2014, Chris attended law school at St. Louis University School of Law. While in law school, Chris served as the Editor-in-Chief of the St. Louis University Public Law Review. He also served on the Moot Court Board as a teaching assistant for appellate advocacy classes, and he worked in SLU's Child Advocacy Clinic representing the interests of minor children. During the summers between his law school years, Chris worked as a law clerk for Barnhart Law Office (now Barnhart, Tinsman & Lane, Ltd.) and as an intern for the Honorable Illinois Appellate Judge Mary K. O'Brien (Third District).
Chris resides in Canton with his wife, Ashley. He is heavily involved in the community and serves on multiple Boards of Directors. In 2017, Chris was elected to the Canton City Council, where he served as the Chair of the Committee on Negotiations, Grievances, and Personnel.
Education
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, B.S. Finance, Accountancy, with a minor in Political Science
St. Louis University School of Law, J.D., with a concentration in Civil Litigation
Bar Admissions
State of Illinois
United States District Court, Central District of Illinois
Professional Associations
American Bar Association
Illinois State Bar Association
Fulton County Bar Association (President, 2016-2017)
Community Organizations/Involvement
Canton Firefighter's Pension Fund, Board of Trustees
Canton Family YMCA, Board of Directors (2015-2017)
Fulton County Rural Transit, Vice-President of Board of Directors (2009-2012)
Graham Hospital Foundation, Board of Directors
Spoon River Partnership for Economic Development, Board of Directors
City of Canton, Alderman