Jim maintains a legal practice with an emphasis on special appointments (e.g., special master), arbitration matters, mediation, and private judging engagements. In addition, Jim represents a limited number of clients on litigation advisory matters and senior-level principals on business formations and third-party contractual service agreements. He is licensed to practice law in Ohio and Florida.

Jim is a former United States Magistrate Judge. Jim was a litigation partner at Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP in Columbus, Ohio from 2014 to 2018 before setting out on his own. Prior to joining Vorys, Jim was a litigation partner with Squire Sanders, now Squire Patton Boggs, where he was the Practice Group Leader for the Global Litigation Group responsible for over 250 professionals around the world and the group’s overall leadership, management, and profitability. In connection with that role, he moved from the firm’s Cleveland office to its Miami office. During most of his career, his focus was on large-scale litigation commercial cases, including restructuring matters, contract claims, and matters alleging fraudulent activity.

Jim graduated from the University of Toledo College of Law in 1987, where he served as Editor-in-Chief of the Law Review. After clerking for United States District Judge David D. Dowd, Jr., United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Jim began his professional career with Squire Sanders in 1989 as an Associate in the firm’s Columbus office.

For further information, see Jim’s LinkedIn profile. Reach Jim at jdt@jamesdthomaslaw.com or jdt@jamesdthomas.com.