James is a business litigator who advocates for and advises clients in complex commercial matters. He has experience in federal and state courts, arbitral tribunals, regulatory investigations, and administrative agency proceedings, including case development and strategy, pleadings and motion practice, written and oral discovery, trial and expert witness preparation, and appeals.
James has represented business entities and nonprofit organizations of all sizes in a wide array of industries and disciplines. He is often called to assist on matters involving unique factual circumstances and novel areas of law, especially those involving the intersection of government and business. His doggedness in pursuing his clients’ best interests and his insatiable curiosity have resulted in clients and colleagues calling him a “born litigator” and a “fierce competitor.” He has substantially contributed to briefs filed in the Supreme Court of the United States, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, the Supreme Courts of Ohio, New Hampshire, and West Virginia, and the District of Columbia Court of Appeals. Some of his recent representative experience includes:
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Representing a global leader in sports marketing in multi-jurisdictional litigation against an iconic sports figure’s company relating to the handshake deal that established the modern sports marketing industry.
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Representing a multinational advanced manufacturer in a directors & officers insurance coverage action seeking tens of millions of dollars in damages relating to a complex trade secrets action.
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Assisting with representation of a publicly traded oral care company in various high stakes disputes against its chief competitor.
In his pro bono practice, James has had the honor of representing numerous nonprofit organizations, public officials, and civic institutions in cases critical to shaping important public policies, including domestic violence prevention and redressing public corruption.
James also serves as an advisor to closely-held businesses involved in governance disputes, mergers and acquisitions, and other significant corporate actions. He strives to assist business owners in achieving common sense solutions, avoiding litigation and formal dispute resolution procedures wherever possible.
Representative Experience
- Representing a major public electric utility in an action against a large municipal electric utility alleging state constitutional violations, including in the Supreme Court of Ohio.
- Defending a pharmaceutical distributor in MDL 2804, National Prescription Opiate Litigation, which has been hailed as the largest and most complex litigation in U.S. history.
- Defending a dental services organization in a False Claims Act case pending in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.
- Representing a publicly traded real estate investment trust in an environmental insurance coverage action pending in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.
- Representing a client in a CERCLA action pending in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana.
- Representing a client in ongoing investigations conducted by multiple state attorneys general.
- Represented one of the largest steel companies in North America in an amicus curiae capacity in support of stabilizing the Irishtown Bend hillside on the Cuyahoga River, one of Northeast Ohio’s most significant public-private alliances in recent memory.
- Represented two entrepreneurs in a dispute involving the governance of Ohio’s first brew-on-premises microbrewery, which ultimately resolved favorably for the client after stops in state court and arbitration.
- Represented an architectural building products company in a years-long dispute relating to a failed asset purchase, which ultimately resolved favorably for the client after stops in state court, federal court, and arbitration.
- Represented a digital distributor of eBooks, audiobooks, online magazines, and streaming video in a dispute relating to nonprofit organization governance and copyright ownership, including in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.
- Part of the team that won summary judgment for an industry leading energy company in a trade secret misappropriation case seeking hundreds of millions of dollars in damages.
- Successfully resolved two disputes threatened against a client by former C-level managers.
- Successfully resolved a dispute on behalf of a public utility against a large public school district.
- Represented a United States Senator in an amicus curiae capacity in the Supreme Court of the United States.
