My practice concentrates in real estate litigation, residential and commercial transactions (representing buyers and sellers) and professional negligence defense (representing brokers, appraisers, accountants, attorneys and other licensed professionals). I am general counsel to the Pennsylvania Association of REALTORS, the Greater Harrisburg Association of REALTORS and formerly general counsel for the State Association of Boroughs (now represented by my partner Stanley Laskowski). Litigation experience includes over 55 cases tried before a jury and hundreds resolved in bench trials (no jury), arbitration, mediation and other alternative dispute resolutions forums.
I am frequently asked to serve as an expert witness on matters relating to the standard of care owed by real estate licensees and am a frequent lecturer for the Pennsylvania Bar Institute and Pennsylvania REALTORS Institute, the continuing educations arms of the Pennsylvania Bar and Pennsylvania REALTOR Associations. Attorneys frequently engage my services as a mediator and arbitrator in a variety of legal settings.
I am an adjunct professor at the Widener University School of Law where I teach Real Estate Transactions. I also serve as a member of the Pennsylvania Joint State Government Task Force.
Practice areas
Over 60 jury trials in State and Federal Courts; hundreds of arbitrations, bench trials
43 years
Transactional real estate; also litigate real estate problem cases and serve as expert in real estate litigation
43 years
43 years
Have served as Plaintiff and Defendant counsel; multiple settlements over 1 million dollars
43 years
Caldwell & Kearns
13 East Main Street
Hummelstown, PA, 17036
Caldwell & Kearns
3631 North Front Street
Harrisburg, PA, 17110
| State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| PA | Active | 1978 | 05/08/2021 |
| Legal answers | 0 |
| Legal guides | 0 |
| Award name | Grantor | Date granted |
|---|---|---|
| Super Lawer - Professional Negligence Defense | Super Lawyers | 2011 |
| Professional Negligence Defense | Super Lawyers | 2010 |
| Professional Negligence Defense | Super Lawyers | 2009 |
| Super Lawyer | Super Lawyers | 2008 |
| Super Lawyer | Super Lawyers | 2007 |
| Title | Company name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Adjunct Professor | Widener University School of Law - Harrisburg Campus | 1998 - 2010 |
| Association name | Position name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| American Bar Association | Member | N/A |
| Pennsylvania Bar Association | Member | N/A |
| Dauphin County Bar Association | Member | N/A |
| Publication name | Title | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Published by Pennsylvania Association of REALTORS | Pennsylvania Real Estate Reporter | N/A |
| Modern Real Estate Practice in Pennsylvania 11th Edition | Modern Real Estate Practice | N/A |
| School name | Degree | Graduated |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania State University, Dickinson School of Law | N/A | N/A |
| Washington and Jefferson College | BA - Bachelor of Arts | N/A |
| Temple University - James E. Beasley School of Law | JD - Juris Doctor | N/A |
| Conference name | Title | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Trienniel Ethics Training | Code of Ethics | 2011 |
| Continuing Legal Education Seminar | Handling the Failure to Disclose Case | 2011 |
| Young Lawyers Division Conference | Lay Down the Law: Robert's Rules of Order | 2010 |
| Triple Play 2010 REALTOR Covention & Trade Expo | Tri-State Legal Update | 2010 |
| Trends & Topics Before the State Real Estate Commission | Make licensees aware of current trends/issues brought before the Commission | 2010 |
| Seminar | Breaches & Liability Under the Agreement of Sale | 2010 |
|---|---|---|
| REALTORS Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh | The New Agreement of SAle with Emphasis on the Mediation Clause | 2010 |
| Real Estate Licensees-Duties & Liabilities | Duties and liabilties of real estate licensees | 2010 |
| Real Estate Brokers, Listing and Buyer Agency Agreements & Broker Liability | Responsibilities of a real estate broker and liability trends and issues | 2010 |
| Reading-Berks Association of REALTORS | Real Estate Licensing and Registration Act | 2010 |
| Prudential Homesale Services Real Estate | Common Mysteries, Myths & Screw-Ups in Real Estate | 2010 |
| Pennsylvania Bar Institute | The New Wave of Title Problems & How to Solve Them | 2010 |
| Pennsylvania Bar Institute | NEW and Substantial Chanes to the PAR Standard Agreement of Sale | 2010 |
| Modern Real Estate Practice in Pennsylvania | Rules & Regulations Governing the Real Estate Practice by Licensees | 2010 |
| Legal & Regulatory Form | Co-Presentation with general counsel for the National Association of REALTORS on recent developments and the law affecting real estate brokers | 2010 |
| Greater Harrisburg Association of REALTORS | Advanced Buyer Agency | 2010 |
| Greater Harrisburg Association of REALTORS | Important Legal Elements in Real Estate | 2010 |
| Delaware County Bar AssociationWorkshop | Understanding the New Pennsylvania Association of REALTORS Standard Agreement of Sale for Residential Properties | 2010 |
| Concealing Defects & Failing to Disclose in Residential Real Estate Transactions | Responsibilities and liability issues relative to the Seller's Disclosure Law | 2010 |
| Cambria-Somerset Association of REALTORS | Agency Relationships, Real Estate Licensing and Registration Act and the New Agreement of Sale | 2010 |
| Breaches and Liability Under the Agreement of Sale | Liability issues when using the PAR Agreement of Sale | 2010 |
| Berks County Bar Association | The PA Association of REALTORS' New Standard Agreement of Sale | 2010 |
| Allegheny Highland Association of REALTORS | Deposits and Escrow Accounts | 2010 |
| 14th Annual Real Estate Institute | Problems in Residential Real Estate | 2010 |
| 14th Annual Real Estate Institute | Residential Real Estate: What Real Estate Lawyers Need to Know About Changes to the PAR Form, Duties of Licensees, and Defending Brokers and Licensees | 2010 |
| Case name | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Hallman v. Turns | Favorable |
| Bortz v Noon | Favorable |
| Marlow v. Straub and Williams | Positive; $300,000 demand; verdict of $1834. |
Posted by vincent
Mon May 22 2017
Posted by Brenda
Wed Jun 02 2010
Michael Cherewka, Real estate Attorney on Aug 21, 2020
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Jim is one of best real estate lawyers in the state, and since I also have a PA Broker's License have found Jim to be excellent in the area of real estate licensing issues as well.
James Tupitza, Real estate Attorney on May 28, 2010
Relationship: Worked together on matter
Jim Goldsmith is, without doubt, one of the top real estate lawyers in the state. For years he has be the attorney for the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors. I have taught continuing eduction courses with him for years on numerous real estate related topics from the Agreement of Sale to "Litigating the Failure to Disclose Case." I have been in the court room with him. Jim's broad range of experience and practical common sense make him a winner in the court room and in the office.