BACKGROUND

After graduating in 1979 from the University of Florida law school with Honors, Jim was privileged to serve as a law

clerk for the Honorable Wm. Terrell Hodges, a federal district judge in the Middle District of Florida. During his time in

private practice, Jim concentrated on business litigation, products liability and other complex civil litigation. Jim retired

from the active practice of law on December 31, 2014.  He now serves as a Florida Supreme Court certified Circuit Court mediator.

 

LEGAL CAREER

•  Law Clerk, United States District Judge Wm. Terrell Hodges, Middle District of Florida – 1979-1981

•  Attorney, Shackleford, Farrior, Stallings & Evans, P.A. – 1981-2000

•  Attorney, Shook, Hardy & Bacon, L.L.P. – 2000-2014

 

EDUCATION

•  Florida Atlantic University, B.A. (high honors, 1976)

•  University of Florida, J.D. (honors, 1979)

 

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS

•  The Florida Bar

•  Chair, Business Law Section – 2003-2004

•  Executive Council, Business Law Section – 1994- present

•  Chair, Business Litigation Committee – 1995-1996

•  Member, Professional Ethics Committee – 1996-2002

•  Chairman, Grievance Committee 13 D – 1990-1991

•  Certified Circuit Court Mediator

•  Certified Mediator, U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida

•  Ferguson-White American Inn of Court, President – 2009-2010

•  Hillsborough County Bar Association

 

PRIOR AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

•  Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation and “Bet the Company” Litigation

•  Florida Super Lawyers

•  Florida Trend, Florida Legal Elite

•  Rated A-V Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell