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, 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
- Representing businesses and property owners in a broad range of complex environmental matters, including hazardous waste cleanups and government enforcement actions
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. He also enjoys spending time with his Rhodesian Ridgeback dog, running, weightlifting, fishing, boating, and playing golf.
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 fees for a large Pacific Northwest hospital in a false advertising dispute against a health insurance company
- Represented a large Pacific Northwest hospital in a multimillion-dollar contract dispute against another hospital
- Successfully challenged a default judgment and obtained attorney fees for a Canadian brewery in a contract dispute against a Washington manufacturer
- Successfully defended a national wireless cellular company in numerous consumer arbitration actions
- Represented a solid waste and recycling company in various franchise disputes with local governments and competitors
- Represented a major railroad company in various environmental litigation matters