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

    Litigation Section Commercial and Business Litigation Committee: Co-Chair of the Diversity Subcommittee; Former Co-Chair, Programs Subcommittee; and Member of the Access to Justice Committee

  • American Bar Foundation

    Fellow

  • American Inns of Court

    Past Program Chair (2013)

  • American Institute of Certified Public Accountants

    Member

  • Columbus Bar Association

    Board of Governors and former chair of the Pro Bono 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)
    Former Member, 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 (through 2014)
    Vice President
    Board Member

  • ProMusica Chamber Orchestra

    Former Vice President of the Board of Trustees

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