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 PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Jim has been in private practice since 1986. Insurance law (helping insurance customers obtain the benefits they paid for) and accidental death and injury cases are his primary fields of practice. The Nevada Supreme Court has reported a number of Jim’s cases, including Shaw v. Continental Insurance Co., 108 Nev. 928 (1992), voiding a provision of an insurance contract; and Broyles v. Elko Enterprises, 105 Nev. 562 (1989), wrongful death (at the time, the largest personal injury/wrongful death jury verdict in Elko County history). ELKO COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY
Jim served as District Attorney from 1983 to 1986. He prosecuted hundreds of criminal cases. Reported Nevada Supreme Court cases include Hillis v. State, 103 Nev. 531 (1987), trafficking a controlled substance; State v. Roberts, 102 Nev. 170 (1986), murder; Schrader v. State, 102 Nev. 64 (1986), cheating at gaming. He served as Deputy District Attorney in Elko from 1981 to 1983.
HIRED BY JUSTICES, JUDGES, AND LAWYERS
Jim has been retained by two then-sitting Nevada Supreme Court Justices, three then-sitting District Court Judges, and a number of attorneys for a variety of legal matters. A number of lawyers hire or associate Jim to handle their insurance, and accidental death and injury cases. He has been retained as an expert witness in valuing personal injury damages. NATIONAL RECOGNITION
Jim has received national recognition for his handling of cases including: Shaw v. Continental Insurance Co., in which the court ruled a provision of the insurance contract violated public policy and was void. Etchart v. Bank One, involving the bank’s violation of a court order to provide information to a credit reporting company. Broyles v. Elko Enterprises, a wrongful death case involving a casino’s failure to provide adequate security. AUTHORSHIP AND LECTURES PUBLISHED BY THE NEVADA STATE BAR
The Nevada State Bar published in September 2003, an article written by Jim concerning a U.S. Supreme Court decision concerning punitive damages in an insurance bad faith case: Punitive Damages: The U.S. Supreme Court’s State Farm v. Campbell Decision – What About Deterrence? Click here to view the article.TEACHING LAWYERS
Jim has lectured and authored materials for the education of lawyers, including: Lecturer, “Evaluating Liability Issues and Coverage," "Ethical Considerations," and "Trial of the Case," National Business Institute continuing education seminar, "A Practical Refresher on Litigating the Nevada Auto Injury Case," June 2005. Lecturer, “Preparing the Expert to Give Testimony,” and “Handling Plaintiff Expert Witness Testimony,” National Business Institute continuing legal education seminar May, 2002. Author, Preparing the Expert to Give Testimony, and Handling Plaintiff Expert Witness Testimony, chapters in Keys to Effective Expert Witness Examination in Nevada, National Business Institute, 2002. Lecturer, "Hot Topics, Trends and News in Personal Injury Law," "Procedural Aspects of Personal Injury," "Expert Witnesses in Personal Injury Claims," and "Anatomy of a Complex Personal Injury Trial," National Business Institute continuing legal education seminar, April, 2001. Author, Procedural Aspects of Personal Injury Law, and Anatomy of a Complex Personal Injury Trial, chapters in Advanced Personal Injury Practice in Nevada, National Business Institute, 2001. Lecturer, "Preparing the Client Witness," "Conducting the Deposition," "Defending the Deposition," and "Taking the Deposition of the Opposing Party," National Business Institute continuing legal education seminar, May 2000. Author, Conducting the Deposition, and Defending the Deposition, chapters in Superior Deposition Strategies in Nevada Civil Trial Practice, National Business Institute, 2000. Lecturer, "Rules of Evidence," "Objecting to the Oral Testimony of Witnesses," and "Expert Witnesses," National Business Institute continuing legal education seminar, May, 1999. Author, Objecting to the Oral Testimony of Witnesses, chapter in Successful Trial Objections, National Business Institute, 1999. PEER RECOGNITION HIGHEST RATING FROM PEERS
Jim received the highest rating by his peers on his legal ability and ethical standards. He is recognized in The Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, published by Martindale-Hubbell. EDITOR OF YOU AND THE LAW
Jim served as editor of You and the Law, published by the Nevada Trial Lawyers Association, from 1996 to 1998. LICENSES AND ADMISSIONS
Jim is licensed to practice law in Nevada and California state courts. In addition, he is admitted to practice in the United States District Court for the District of Nevada, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court. PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
Jim is a member of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, and the Nevada Trial Lawyers Association. TRIAL ADVOCACY TRAINING
Jim has attended some of the finest trial advocacy programs in the country including Hastings School of Law, Trial Advocacy; the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Trial Advocacy; and the National College of District Attorneys, Career Prosecutor Course. The Association of Trial Lawyers of America, National College of Advocacy recognizes Jim as an Advocate of Trial Advocacy. EDUCATION
Jim graduated from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law in 1981. He received his Bachelor of Science in Accounting, from the College of Business Administration, University of Nevada, Reno, in 1977.
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