James is a member of Shumaker’s Litigation & Disputes Service Line, where his practice focuses on business and real estate litigation. He regularly represents businesses, business owners, shareholders, landlords, and property owners in all phases of litigation in state and federal court. James’s litigation practice spans multiple industries, including manufacturing, construction, health care, real estate, hospitality, retail, and technology.
James has extensive experience in:
- Representing clients in breach of contract, fraud, defamation, unfair competition, and other business disputes
- Litigating shareholder and partnership disputes, including derivative actions, fiduciary duty claims, and corporate governance issues
- Representing landlords and property owners in lease disputes, eviction proceedings, and real estate-related litigation
Following law school, James spent two years serving as a judicial law clerk for the Honorable Joel DeVore of the Oregon Court of Appeals. A Sarasota native, James currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Sarasota Community Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family, running, weightlifting, fishing, boating, and collecting vintage guitars.
Education
J.D., magna cum laude, Northwestern School of Law of Lewis & Clark College
B.S., magna cum laude, Geography, University of South Florida
Professional Associations
- American Bar Association
- Multnomah County Bar Association
- Clark County Bar Association
- Sarasota County Bar Association, Membership Committee
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast Sarasota Community, Board of Directors
Honors
- Lewis & Clark Law Review, Lead Article Editor
- Appellate Advocacy Moot Court Regional Team
- Moot Court Honors Board
- Tonkon Torp Merit Scholarship, 2015–2016
- Best Oral Advocate Award, 1L Moot Court Competition
Representative Matters
- Successfully obtained emergency injunctive relief and attorney's fees for a large hospital in a false advertising dispute against a health insurance company
- Represented a major hospital in a multimillion-dollar contract dispute with another regional hospital
- Vacated a default judgment and recovered attorney's fees for an international brewery in a contract dispute with a U.S.-based manufacturer
- Successfully defended a national wireless provider in numerous consumer arbitration proceedings
- Represented a solid waste and recycling company in franchise disputes involving local governments and private competitors
- Represented a major railroad in complex environmental litigation matters
- Successfully defended corporate officers in multiple shareholder disputes involving allegations of fiduciary breach and mismanagement