Overview
Jim is a partner in the Fort Lauderdale office and Deputy General Counsel to Fisher Phillips, serving primarily as the firm’s Ethics Counsel. With many years of complex litigation and trial experience-- having tried more than 30 cases to juries throughout Florida and elsewhere in the United States-- Jim also consults with firm lawyers on litigation and trial strategy.
He is also a certified mediator, which gives him a practical perspective on litigation strategy. Jim is "AV" Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell and has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America since 2009.
He was also included in the 2012 edition of South Florida's Top Rated Lawyers, presented by Legal Leaders and the 2015 and 2016 edition of Super Lawyers Florida. Furthermore, Jim was nominated by Corporate Counsel to the BTI Client Services All-Stars 2015.
Recent Experience
Experience
- Thousand Member Class Action Dismissed on Appeal of Certification Order
- State Trial Judge Grants Directed Verdict for Defendant at Close of Plaintiff’s Evidence in Workers’ Compensation Retaliation Trial
- Arbitrator Rules in Favor of International Media Company in Contract Dispute with Company Founder
Credentials
Education
- J.D., 1983, with honors, University of Florida, Levin College of Law
- B.A., 1980, with honors, Phi Beta Kappa, University of Florida
Bar Admissions
- Florida
Court Admissions
- Florida Supreme Court
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida
Recognitions
- Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America (2011 – 2025)
- "AV" Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
- Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America, Lawyer of the Year - Labor Law - Management (2022)
- Included in the 2012 edition of South Florida's Top Rated Lawyers, presented by Legal Leaders
- Listed in the Florida Super Lawyers (2015-present)
Affiliations
Professional Activities
- Jim is active in the Litigation and Labor and Employment Sections of the ABA. He also actively participates in professional mediator organizations.
Community Activities
- Jim is a Life Member of the University of Florida Alumni Association and actively participates in the organization's activities. He is also an active member of Gator Boosters of Key West and the Sigma Chi Fraternity Alumni Association.
Insights
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Event
06/10/22
Fisher Phillips South Florida Annual Seminar – The Great Transformation: Rethinking the Workplace and Your Role
Phillip C. Bauknight, Suzanne K. Bogdan, Michael E. Bonner, Jennifer B. Carroll, Charles S. Caulkins, Ilanit Fischler, Megan L. Janes, Garrett S. Kamen, Kenneth A. Knox, James C. Polkinghorn, Thomas Paul Rebel, Steven A. Siegel, Cathy M. Stutin, Colette F. WolfRead more
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News
08/20/20
Fisher Phillips Attorneys Receive Top Honors in Best Lawyers in America©
Michael V. Abcarian, Stephanie R. Alexander, William E. Altman, Christopher Alvarez, Joseph W. Ambash, Craig R. Annunziata, Davis C. Bae, Gregory D. Ballew, Kelsey E. Schiappacasse, Cheryl L. Behymer, Clarence M. Belnavis, Steven M. Bernstein, Suzanne K. Bogdan, D. Albert Brannen, Kathleen McLeod Caminiti, Jocelyn Campanaro, Christopher J. Capone, Michael D. Carrouth, Charles S. Caulkins, Lyle M. Chan, J. Randall Coffey, Theresa M. Connolly, Laurel K. Cornell, Steven R. Cupp, Kevin J. Dalton, J. Micah Dickie, Burton F. Dodd, David B. Dornak, Benjamin Dudek, Todd Alan Ewan, Daniel E. Farrington, Brian J. Finucane, Todd A. Fredrickson, Andrew Froman, Joseph W. Gagnon, Brian J. Gershengorn, Lauren G. Goetzl, Rosemary S. Gousman, Michael R. Greco, Paul Greco, Rick Grimaldi, Greg Grisham, Lori A. Guner, Raymond C. Haley III, Edward F. Harold, Lariza Pruneda Hebert, JonVieve D. Hill, Christopher C. Hoffman, James R. Holland II, Christine E. Howard, Cynthia M. Jacob, Clyde H. Jacob III, David S. Jones, Matthew R. Korn, Danielle Krauthamer, Edwina C. Kye, Arthur V. Lambert, Terry E. Lardakis, Aymara Ledezma, Courtney Leyes, Karl R. Lindegren, Steven M. Loewengart, Reyburn W. Lominack III, Nathan K. Low, Darin L. Mackender, Scott M. Mahoney, Jeffrey E. Mandel, C. F. W. Manning II, Howard A. Mavity, James J. McDonald Jr., Phillips L. McWilliams, Richard A. Millisor, Stephen C. Mitchell, Danielle Hultenius Moore, R. Henry Moore, Timothy J. Murphy, Gregory V. Murray, Warren L. Nelson, Steven M. Nobil, Daniel P. O'Brien, James Patrick, Jonathan P. Pearson, Regina A. Petty, Ann Margaret Pointer, James C. Polkinghorn, John M. Polson, Keith M. Pyburn Jr., Roger K. Quillen, Melody L. Rayl, Thomas Paul Rebel, Mark J. Ricciardi, Ashton M. Riley, Stephen J. Roppolo, Jeffrey A. Savarise, Susan M. Schaecher, Cheryl L. Schreck, David E. Schreiner, Stephen Scott, Timothy H. Scott, Joseph P. Shelton, Craig P. Siegenthaler, Jeffrey D. Smith, John W. Stapleton, Shanon R. Stevenson, Terri R. Stewart, Christopher P. Stief, Cathy M. Stutin, Douglas R. Sullenberger, James Sullivan, Martin F. Thompson, Megan Reese U'Sellis, Pavneet Singh Uppal, Teresa Valderrama, Joshua H. Viau, Timothy J. Weatherholt, Jeff Weintraub, Alexander A. Wheatley, Benton N. Wood, Robert Yonowitz, George D. Adams, Richard R. Meneghello, Hannah Sweiss, Robert M. Robenalt, Todd A. Lyon, Todd B. Logsdon, J. Hagood Tighe, Danielle S. Urban, Sheila M. Abron, Kristin R.B. White, Michelle I. AndersonRead more
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News
08/15/19
Best Lawyers in America® Honors 96 Fisher Phillips Attorneys in 2020 Edition
Michael V. Abcarian, George D. Adams, Joseph W. Ambash, Craig R. Annunziata, Cheryl L. Behymer, Clarence M. Belnavis, Steven M. Bernstein, Suzanne K. Bogdan, D. Albert Brannen, Kathleen McLeod Caminiti, Christopher J. Capone, Michael D. Carrouth, Charles S. Caulkins, J. Randall Coffey, Laurel K. Cornell, Steven R. Cupp, Kevin J. Dalton, Burton F. Dodd, Todd Alan Ewan, Daniel E. Farrington, Brian J. Finucane, Todd A. Fredrickson, Andrew Froman, Brian J. Gershengorn, Rosemary S. Gousman, Michael R. Greco, Paul Greco, Rick Grimaldi, Greg Grisham, Raymond C. Haley III, Edward F. Harold, Christopher C. Hoffman, James R. Holland II, Christine E. Howard, Cynthia M. Jacob, Clyde H. Jacob III, David S. Jones, Terry E. Lardakis, Karl R. Lindegren, Steven M. Loewengart, Todd B. Logsdon, Darin L. Mackender, Scott M. Mahoney, Jeffrey E. Mandel, C. F. W. Manning II, Howard A. Mavity, James J. McDonald Jr., Richard R. Meneghello, Richard A. Millisor, Stephen C. Mitchell, Danielle Hultenius Moore, Timothy J. Murphy, Warren L. Nelson, Steven M. Nobil, Daniel P. O'Brien, Jonathan P. Pearson, Ann Margaret Pointer, James C. Polkinghorn, John M. Polson, Keith M. Pyburn Jr., Roger K. Quillen, Thomas Paul Rebel, Mark J. Ricciardi, Robert M. Robenalt, Stephen J. Roppolo, Jeffrey A. Savarise, Susan M. Schaecher, David E. Schreiner, Timothy H. Scott, Joseph P. Shelton, Craig P. Siegenthaler, Jeffrey D. Smith, Shanon R. Stevenson, Terri R. Stewart, Christopher P. Stief, Cathy M. Stutin, Douglas R. Sullenberger, James Sullivan, Martin F. Thompson, J. Hagood Tighe, Pavneet Singh Uppal, Danielle S. Urban, Teresa Valderrama, Joshua H. Viau, Timothy J. Weatherholt, Jeff Weintraub, Benton N. Wood, Robert YonowitzRead more
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News
08/15/18
Ninety-Five Fisher Phillips Attorneys Selected to The Best Lawyers in America 2019
Michael V. Abcarian, George D. Adams, Joseph W. Ambash, Craig R. Annunziata, Cheryl L. Behymer, Clarence M. Belnavis, Steven M. Bernstein, Suzanne K. Bogdan, D. Albert Brannen, Kathleen McLeod Caminiti, Christopher J. Capone, Michael D. Carrouth, Charles S. Caulkins, J. Randall Coffey, Laurel K. Cornell, Steven R. Cupp, Kevin J. Dalton, Burton F. Dodd, Todd Alan Ewan, Brian J. Finucane, Todd A. Fredrickson, Rosemary S. Gousman, Michael R. Greco, Paul Greco, Rick Grimaldi, Raymond C. Haley III, Edward F. Harold, Christopher C. Hoffman, James R. Holland II, Christine E. Howard, Cynthia M. Jacob, Terry E. Lardakis, Karl R. Lindegren, Steven M. Loewengart, Todd B. Logsdon, Darin L. Mackender, Scott M. Mahoney, Jeffrey E. Mandel, C. F. W. Manning II, Howard A. Mavity, James J. McDonald Jr., Richard R. Meneghello, Richard A. Millisor, Stephen C. Mitchell, Timothy J. Murphy, Warren L. Nelson, Steven M. Nobil, Daniel P. O'Brien, Jonathan P. Pearson, Ann Margaret Pointer, James C. Polkinghorn, John M. Polson, Keith M. Pyburn Jr., Roger K. Quillen, Thomas Paul Rebel, Mark J. Ricciardi, Robert M. Robenalt, Stephen J. Roppolo, Jeffrey A. Savarise, Susan M. Schaecher, David E. Schreiner, Timothy H. Scott, Joseph P. Shelton, Craig P. Siegenthaler, Jeffrey D. Smith, Shanon R. Stevenson, Christopher P. Stief, Cathy M. Stutin, Douglas R. Sullenberger, Martin F. Thompson, J. Hagood Tighe, Pavneet Singh Uppal, Danielle S. Urban, Teresa Valderrama, Joshua H. Viau, Timothy J. Weatherholt, Jeff Weintraub, Benton N. Wood, Robert YonowitzRead more
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News
08/15/17
Eighty-Nine Fisher Phillips Attorneys Selected to The Best Lawyers in America 2018
Michael V. Abcarian, George D. Adams, Joseph W. Ambash, Craig R. Annunziata, Cheryl L. Behymer, Clarence M. Belnavis, Steven M. Bernstein, Suzanne K. Bogdan, D. Albert Brannen, Kathleen McLeod Caminiti, Christopher J. Capone, Michael D. Carrouth, Charles S. Caulkins, J. Randall Coffey, Steven R. Cupp, Kevin J. Dalton, Burton F. Dodd, Todd Alan Ewan, Brian J. Finucane, Todd A. Fredrickson, Rosemary S. Gousman, Rick Grimaldi, Raymond C. Haley III, Edward F. Harold, Christopher C. Hoffman, James R. Holland II, Christine E. Howard, Cynthia M. Jacob, Terry E. Lardakis, Karl R. Lindegren, Darin L. Mackender, Scott M. Mahoney, Jeffrey E. Mandel, C. F. W. Manning II, Howard A. Mavity, James J. McDonald Jr., Richard R. Meneghello, Richard A. Millisor, Michael S. Mitchell, Stephen C. Mitchell, Timothy J. Murphy, Warren L. Nelson, Steven M. Nobil, Daniel P. O'Brien, Jonathan P. Pearson, Ann Margaret Pointer, James C. Polkinghorn, John M. Polson, Keith M. Pyburn Jr., Roger K. Quillen, Thomas Paul Rebel, Mark J. Ricciardi, Robert M. Robenalt, Stephen J. Roppolo, Jeffrey A. Savarise, Susan M. Schaecher, David E. Schreiner, Timothy H. Scott, Joseph P. Shelton, Craig P. Siegenthaler, Jeffrey D. Smith, Shanon R. Stevenson, Cathy M. Stutin, Douglas R. Sullenberger, J. Hagood Tighe, Pavneet Singh Uppal, Danielle S. Urban, Teresa Valderrama, Joshua H. Viau, Timothy J. Weatherholt, Jeff Weintraub, Benton N. WoodRead more
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News
08/15/16
Attorneys Selected to The Best Lawyers in America 2017
Michael V. Abcarian, George D. Adams, Joseph W. Ambash, Craig R. Annunziata, Cheryl L. Behymer, Clarence M. Belnavis, Steven M. Bernstein, Suzanne K. Bogdan, D. Albert Brannen, Kathleen McLeod Caminiti, Michael D. Carrouth, Charles S. Caulkins, J. Randall Coffey, Steven R. Cupp, Kevin J. Dalton, Burton F. Dodd, Todd Alan Ewan, Brian J. Finucane, Todd A. Fredrickson, Rosemary S. Gousman, Raymond C. Haley III, Edward F. Harold, Christopher C. Hoffman, James R. Holland II, Christine E. Howard, Cynthia M. Jacob, Terry E. Lardakis, Karl R. Lindegren, Darin L. Mackender, Scott M. Mahoney, Jeffrey E. Mandel, C. F. W. Manning II, Howard A. Mavity, James J. McDonald Jr., Richard R. Meneghello, Richard A. Millisor, Michael S. Mitchell, Stephen C. Mitchell, Timothy J. Murphy, Warren L. Nelson, Steven M. Nobil, Daniel P. O'Brien, Jonathan P. Pearson, Ann Margaret Pointer, James C. Polkinghorn, John M. Polson, Keith M. Pyburn Jr., Roger K. Quillen, Thomas Paul Rebel, Mark J. Ricciardi, Robert M. Robenalt, Jeffrey A. Savarise, Susan M. Schaecher, David E. Schreiner, Timothy H. Scott, Craig P. Siegenthaler, Jeffrey D. Smith, Cathy M. Stutin, Douglas R. Sullenberger, J. Hagood Tighe, Danielle S. Urban, Teresa Valderrama, Joshua H. Viau, Jeff Weintraub, Benton N. WoodRead more
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News
08/17/15
Fisher Phillips Attorneys Selected to The Best Lawyers in America 2016
Michael V. Abcarian, Joseph W. Ambash, Craig R. Annunziata, Cheryl L. Behymer, Clarence M. Belnavis, Steven M. Bernstein, Suzanne K. Bogdan, D. Albert Brannen, Kathleen McLeod Caminiti, Michael D. Carrouth, Charles S. Caulkins, J. Randall Coffey, Steven R. Cupp, Kevin J. Dalton, Burton F. Dodd, Brian J. Finucane, Todd A. Fredrickson, Rosemary S. Gousman, Raymond C. Haley III, Edward F. Harold, Christopher C. Hoffman, James R. Holland II, Christine E. Howard, Cynthia M. Jacob, Terry E. Lardakis, Karl R. Lindegren, Darin L. Mackender, Scott M. Mahoney, Jeffrey E. Mandel, C. F. W. Manning II, Howard A. Mavity, James J. McDonald Jr., Richard R. Meneghello, Richard A. Millisor, Michael S. Mitchell, Stephen C. Mitchell, Timothy J. Murphy, Warren L. Nelson, Steven M. Nobil, Daniel P. O'Brien, Jonathan P. Pearson, Ann Margaret Pointer, James C. Polkinghorn, John M. Polson, Keith M. Pyburn Jr., Roger K. Quillen, Thomas Paul Rebel, Mark J. Ricciardi, Robert M. Robenalt, Jeffrey A. Savarise, Susan M. Schaecher, David E. Schreiner, Timothy H. Scott, Craig P. Siegenthaler, Jeffrey D. Smith, Cathy M. Stutin, Douglas R. Sullenberger, J. Hagood Tighe, Joshua H. Viau, Jeff Weintraub, Benton N. WoodRead more