Bio

Jim, a founding partner of Irwin Fritchie Urquhart & Moore, is a nationally recognized attorney who has an impressive trial record both in federal and state courts. Before retiring in 2018, Jim served as lead trial counsel in national multidistrict litigations typically handling bet-the-company litigation.

His practice focused on the defense of purported class actions, mass-tort matters, and other complex civil litigation and has appeared in matters before the Supreme Court of the United States. Jim is a frequent guest lecturer and panelist on mass-tort litigation.

Experience

Levaquin MDL: Bellwether Trial Counsel

Xarelto MDL: Defendant's Liaison Counsel

Birmingham Hips: National Coordinating Counsel

Pedicle Screws: National Coordinating Counsel

Propulsid: National Liaison Counsel

Zirconia Hips: National Counsel

Fen/Phen Diet Drugs: Regional Trial Counsel

Latex Gloves: Regional Trial Counsel

Municipal Hand Gun Litigation: Louisiana Counsel

Sulzer Hips: Louisiana Counsel

Cell Phones: National Coordinating Counsel

Blood Product: Hemophilia and AIDS- Louisiana Trial Counsel

Vitamin Antitrust: Louisiana Trial Counsel

Asbestos: Louisiana Trial Counsel

Pesticides: Louisiana Trial Counsel

Reyes Syndrome: Regional Trial Counsel

Termiticides: Louisiana Trial Counsel

Insecticides: Louisiana Trial Counsel

Sutures: Louisiana Trial Counsel

Honors & Affiliations

Honors & Recognitions

International Academy of Trial Lawyers

The Best Lawyers in America: Mass Tort Litigation/ Class Actions - Defendants (2012 New Orleans Lawyer of the Year), Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants (2014, 2018 New Orleans Lawyer of the Year), Product Liability Litigation - Defendants (2016 New Orleans Lawyer of the Year)

Chambers USA, Nationwide, Product Liability & Matt Torts, Band 3

Legal Media Group's US Expert Guide, Product Liability

Benchmark Litigation: Local Litigation Star, Product Liability

AV Preeminent, Martindale-Hubbell rating

Louisiana Super Lawyers (Top 10 Lawyers in Louisiana; Top 50 Lawyers in Louisiana and New Orleans)

America's Leading Lawyers for Business

Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America

International Who's Who Legal: Commercial Litigation, Life Sciences, and Product Liability Defence

CityBusiness Leadership in Law, 2006

New Orleans Magazine Top Lawyers: Insurance Law, Mass Tort Litigation/ Class Actions, Product Liability Litigation

Professional Affiliations

  • American College of Trial Lawyers
  • International Academy of Trial Lawyers
  • International Association of Defense Counsel
  • Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel, President (2000), Guest Lecturer
  • American Board of Trial Advocates
  • New Orleans Association of Defense Counsel
  • Defense Research Institute, State Representative (1992-1999), Guest Lecturer
  • Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel
  • Litigation Counsel of America
  • American Bar Association
  • Federal Bar Association
  • Louisiana State Bar Association
  • Ohio State Bar Association
  • New Orleans Bar Association

News

Publications & Presentations

Publications and Presentations

  • How to Persuade a Jury to the Defense View of Key Issues in Drug or Medical Device Litigation

    Manuscript of the DRI: Drug and Medication Device Litigation Seminar

    Publication
    May 2002
  • Effective Use of Documentary Evidence

    CLE Manuscript of the Civil Litigation Process in Louisiana State Courts Seminar, Louisiana State Bar Association

    Publication
    April 2004

Admissions

  • Supreme Court of the United States
  • Louisiana state courts
  • United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
  • United States District Court Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of Louisiana

Education

J.D., Case Western Reserve University Law School (1973)

B.A., Kenyon College (1969)

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