James is a litigator who focuses his practice on complex business litigation, representing businesses, business owners, and shareholders in high-stakes disputes through all stages of litigation. He works closely with his clients to develop litigation strategies that protect their long-term operational and financial interests.
James has extensive experience in:
- Litigating shareholder and partnership disputes, including derivative actions, fiduciary duty claims, and corporate governance issues
- Representing clients in breach of contract, fraud, defamation, unfair competition, and other business disputes
- Representing landlords and property owners in lease disputes, eviction proceedings, and real estate-related litigation
His practice spans multiple industries, including manufacturing, construction, hospitality, health care, real estate, and technology.
Before joining Shumaker, James spent two years as a judicial law clerk for the Honorable Joel DeVore of the Oregon Court of Appeals. James is a Sarasota native who is deeply committed to his local community. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Forty Carrots Family Center, following a multi-year tenure on the board of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast.
Outside of work, James enjoys spending time with his wife, their toddler, and their two dogs; weightlifting; traveling; boating; and playing guitar.
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 and Community Affiliations
- 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, Former Board Member
- Leadership Sarasota, Class of 2026
- Forty Carrots Family Center, Board Member
Honors
- Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, 2025–2026
- SRQ Elite Top Attorneys, 2025
- 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 represented a group of minority shareholders against a majority shareholder for breach of fiduciary duty and defended against the majority shareholder’s counterclaims, prevailing after a five-day jury trial
- Successfully represented a business and its owner through trial, defeated a multimillion-dollar personal guarantee claim against the business owner, and obtained recovery of the client’s attorney fees
- Successfully defended the manager of numerous LLCs in high-stakes, related lawsuits seeking more than $10 million brought by a collective of investors
- 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
- 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 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