James D. Abrams

Summary

Jim regularly represents clients in all aspects of civil litigation with a concentration on commercial matters. He has a proven track record of successfully resolving disputes inside, as well as outside, of the courtroom. He has experience in both trial and appellate courts.

Jim thrived over a progressively-challenging twenty-year period as a corporate executive where he helped to build emerging-growth companies and start-up ventures in the direct marketing, retail, and consumer products industries. This breadth of prior business experience brings him real-world perspective which benefits his clients today.

Jim’s litigation career is exceptional in the fact that he has successfully represented both plaintiff and defendant parties in matters spanning a range of distinctive legal disciplines relating to:

  • Intellectual property
  • Trade secret
  • Lanham Act
  • Breach of contract
  • Securities fraud
  • Liability
  • Complex mediation

In addition, he has represented an array of enterprises, both public and private, across industries including energy and utilities, consumer products, commercial real estate, manufacturing, and professional and business services.

Jim is known for the candor he brings to his practice of law, as well as the strong financial acumen and well-developed problem solving and strategic planning skills he possesses. These traits balance his trial, advocacy and negotiation talents, which he exercises daily on behalf of his clients. His talents also attract out-of-state clients with requests for him to serve as local counsel.

Prior to his legal career, Jim 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.

Jim 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.

Awards

All Service Areas

All Practices

All Industries

Education

  • Capital University School of Law (2003)
  • California State University, M.B.A. (1973)
  • San Francisco State College, B.A. (1967)

Admissions

  • Federal - Northern District of Ohio
  • Federal - Southern District of Ohio
  • Federal - 6th Circuit Court of Appeals
  • Federal - U.S. Supreme Court
  • State - District of Columbia
  • State - Ohio
  • State - Arizona

Speeches and Publications

  • Co-Author: "The Justice Gap and Pro Bono Legal" ABA Litigation Section, Winter 2017
  • Co-Author: "Voluntary Payment Doctrine: A Useful Affirmative Defense or Instrument of Evil?" ABA Litigation Section, June 2016
  • Co-Author: "Campaign Ethics: A Reason to Forego Judicial Elections," ABA Litigation Section, February 2016
  • 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

News

Professional Affiliations

  • American Bar Association Co-Chair, Programs Subcommittee of the Litigation Section Commercial and Business Litigation Committee
  • American Bar Foundation Fellow
  • American Inns of Court Past Program Chair 2013
  • American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Member
  • Columbus Bar Association Member, former Board of Governors; former Chair, Pro Bono Committee, 2010-2012, current member of The Professional Ethics Committee
  • Columbus Bar Association Professional Ethics Committee (2 yr. term starting 2017); former Chair, Pro-Bono Committee; former Co-Chair, Federal Courts Committee, 2006 - 2007; Member, former Board of Governors 2012; member of Investment Committee and Finance Committee
  • Columbus Bar Foundation Trustee and Fellow
  • Ohio State Bar Association
  • The Fellows of the American Bar Foundation

Community Involvement

  • Capital University Law School Former President and Member, Board of Counselors
  • Council for Ethical Leadership at Capital University Executive Committee Member; Advisory Board Member
  • Huckleberry House Past Treasurer, Vice President and member of the Board Until mid-2014
  • ProMusica Chamber Orchestra Former Vice President of the Board of Trustees
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