Immediately after obtaining his law degree from the University of Tulsa in 1972, Jim began his legal career as a Judge Advocate in the United States Air Force. The vast majority of his four year tour was spent serving as a General Courts-Martial Prosecutor in the Trial Judiciary. Upon discharge, he served as an Assistant District Attorney in Tulsa County, Oklahoma for one year. Since 1977, Jim's practice has been concentrated in the defense of civil litigation matters in not only general liability but also products liability, environmental and insurance law, aviation law, and professional liability for hospitals, physicians, nurses, accountants, architects and engineers. He is a fellow of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers and American College of Trial Lawyers, a member of the Oklahoma Bar Association, Tulsa County Bar Association, Oklahoma Association of Defense Counsel, and a Charter Member of the American Board of Trial Advocates and The American Inns of Court. He is admitted to practice in all federal and state courts within the State of Oklahoma, the U.S. Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court.

Year Joined Firm

• 1977

Areas of Practice

• Aviation
• Construction Law
• Employment Law -- Employee
• Employment Law -- Employer
• Environmental Law
• Health & Health Care Law
• Insurance Law
• Landlord/Tenant
• Legal Malpractice
• Medical Malpractice
• Nursing Home
• Personal Injury -- Defense
• Personal Injury -- Plaintiff
• Products Liability Law
• Professional Malpractice Law

Bar Admissions

• Oklahoma, 1972
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of Oklahoma, 1972
• U.S. District Court Northern District of Oklahoma, 1972
• U.S. District Court Western District of Oklahoma, 1972
• U.S. Court of Appeals 10th Circuit, 1972

Education

• University of Tulsa College of Law, Tulsa, Oklahoma
  • J.D. - 1972
• University of Tulsa, Tulsa, Oklahoma
  • B.S. - 1969
  • Major: Business Administration

Representative Clients

• Great American Insurance Company
• CNA Insurance
• Liberty Mutual Insurance Company
• The Hanover Insurance Group

Professional Associations and Memberships

• International Academy of Trial Lawyers
• American College of Trial Lawyers
• American Board of Trial Advocates, Member
• International Association of Defense Council, Member
• Defense Research Institute, Member
• Oklahoma Association of Defense Counsel, 1985 - 1988