Jim is a member of the Escambia-Santa Rosa Bar Association, American Bar Association, Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers (state board of directors, 2003-2006), American Board of Trial Advocates (chapter president, 2004), Association of Trial Lawyers of America, American Inns of Court and Florida Justice Association, where he has held a board position for the past several years.
His peers honored him with the prestigious AVĀ® Rating in the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, earning him a listing in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers. This directory includes only those select lawyers who have earned this highest possible rating. It states that a lawyer "has reached the height of professional excellence... has usually practiced law for many years, and is recognized for the highest levels of skill and integrity."
Jim is licensed to practice law before all Florida state courts, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida, and the U.S. Court of Appeals of the Eleventh Circuit.
He received his undergraduate degree from Eastern Michigan University in 1968, and after six years of flying U.S. Navy Phantoms and three years in U.S. Naval Reserve intelligence unit while attending law school (highest attained rank of lieutenant commander), he received his law degree from the University of Tusla in 1977.
Upon graduation, Jim was awarded the Order of the Curule Chair, the highest academic honor bestowed by the university and limited to the top 10 students. While at law school, he was a member of University of Tulsa Law Journal and Phi Delta Phi honorary legal fraternity.
