JAMES D. ABRAMS is a partner in the firm’s litigation practice and regularly represents clients in all aspects of civil litigation with a focus on commercial matters. He has a proven track record of successfully settling disputes inside, as well as outside, of the courtroom. Clients benefit from the extensive business experience Mr. Abrams has had prior to embarking on his legal career. Mr. Abrams spent over twenty years as a senior executive helping build emerging growth companies and start-up ventures in the direct marketing, retail, and consumer products industries. Known for his candor, he brings to the practice of law, strong financial acumen and well-developed problem solving and strategic planning skills that complement his trial, advocacy and negotiation talents, which he exercises daily on behalf of his clients.

Representative Experience

• Successfully settled long-standing litigation which involved use of real property resulting in relative certainty that similar litigation will be avoided in the future
• Collaboratively resolved a commercial dispute regarding unfair competition resulting in a settlement prior to trial
• Successfully obtained relief from judgment in three separate but related cases permitting out-of-state corporate defendant to assert its defenses
• Successfully recovered six figure claim on behalf of natural gas marketing company in a breach of contract dispute
• Obtained judgment for client in a breach of a non-competition dispute
• Successfully defended, through the Court of Appeals, vicarious liability claims against equipment rental client
• Assisted various clients in negotiating major contract with State of Ohio Administrative Agency
• Successfully recovered six figure claim for real and personal property loss on behalf of client
• Assisted multiple Defendants in mediation of complex litigation resulting in settlement of all claims
• Local counsel to a number of out-of-state clients
• Successfully represented a large concert venue in a civil fraud case 

Achievements and Awards

• Selected for inclusion in Ohio Super Lawyers 2012
• Listed as an Ohio Rising Star by Super Lawyers (2007 – 2011)
• Recipient, the Legal Aid Society’s Excellence in Pro Bono Service Award (2009)
• Recipient, Capital University’s Alumni Outstanding Service Award (2010)
• BV Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell

Professional Memberships and Community Service

• Columbus Bar Association: Member, Board of Governors 2012
• Columbus Bar Association: Chair, Pro-Bono Committee
• Columbus Bar Association: Former Co-Chair, Federal Courts Committee (2006 – 2007)
• Ohio State Bar Association
• American Bar Association
• Federal Bar Association
• American Inns of Court, Program Chair
• Council for Ethical Leadership at Capital University: Executive Committee Member, Advisory Board Member
• Huckleberry House (Past Treasurer and Vice President)
• Capital University Law School: Board of Counselors (President Elect); Strategic Planning Committee; Carnegie Project: Educating Lawyers, Working Group Member
• ProMusica Chamber Orchestra, Secretary to the Board of Trustees
• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants

Speeches and Publications

• Author: "Persistence Conquers an Imperfect Legal System," Columbus Bar Lawyers Quarterly, Spring 2012
• Author: “What's Wrong with Hearsay?” Journal of the Trial Evidence Committee Proof, Spring 2010
• Author: “Managing Costly Litigation,” CWS Newsletter, Vol. 3, 2009
• Author: “So You Think Your Trade Secrets Are Protected,” CWS Newsletter, Vol. 2, 2008
• Author: “A Missed Opportunity: Medical Use of Marijuana is Defensible.” Case Note: U.S. v. Oakland Cannabis, Capital U.L.R. 31 Vol. 4
• “Preparing a Fact Witness for Deposition,” Columbus Bar Lawyers Quarterly, Fall 2007 

Other Professional Experience
Prior to his legal career, Mr. Abrams built an impressive resume of practical business experience as a senior executive, serving both publicly traded and privately held businesses, including as CFO for GAP, Inc. and Williams-Sonoma, Inc.

Mr. Abrams was an extern to the Honorable Edmund A. Sargus, Jr., United States District Court, Southern District of Ohio.  For Harold’s Inc. (A National Specialty Retailer), he was a member of the Board of Directors and former chair of the Audit Committee.