James D. Abrams

Jim represents clients in all aspects of civil litigation with a concentration in commercial matters. Before joining the legal field, Jim held leadership roles at both publicly traded and privately held businesses including serving as CFO at GAP, Inc. and Williams-Sonoma, Inc. His deep knowledge of business allows him to bring a real-world perspective to client matters. Jim’s success in the corporate world also includes helping build emerging-growth companies and start-up ventures in the retail, direct marketing and consumer products industries. His unique background has led to a proven track record of successfully resolving disputes inside, as well as outside, of the courtroom.

Jim’s litigation career reflects success in representing both plaintiff and defendant parties in matters spanning a range of legal disciplines relating to:

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

• Speaker, "Practical Skills for New Litigators -- Expert Depositions: Day 2," ABA Introductory CLE Webinar (March 23, 2022)
• Speaker, "Practical Skills for New Litigators -- Expert Depositions: Workshop Day 2," ABA Introductory CLE Webinar (March 23, 2022)
• Speaker, "Practical Skills for New Litigators -- Expert Depositions: Workshop Day 1," ABA Introductory CLE Webinar (March 22, 2022)
• Speaker, "Practical Skills for New Litigators -- Expert Depositions," ABA Introductory CLE Webinar (March 22, 2022)
• Speaker, "Practical Skills for New Litigators: Expert Depositions," ABA Introductory CLE Webinar (March 8, 2022)
• 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