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James E. Butler Jr.
also known as Jim Butler
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About James
Biography
Jim Butler is a founding partner in Butler Prather LLP, a nationally known civil trial practice firm which has litigated cases in 32 states – from Massachusetts to California, Montana to Florida. Jim's accomplishments include setting the record for largest verdict in Georgia history on four separate occasions – in four completely different kinds of civil cases (medical malpractice, trucking, auto products liability, and business torts/breach of fiduciary duty). No other lawyer has done that more than once. Cases in which Jim served as lead counsel have also set verdict records and settlement records in a number of other states. Jim was lead counsel in the Six Flags vs. Time Warner case, which is believed to be the largest collected judgment in American history.
Jim has tried over 170 civil cases to verdict, and has won five verdicts over $100 million, plus another ten verdicts over $10 million, plus another 10 verdicts over $1 million, plus innumerable verdicts over $100,000. Jim has served as lead counsel in business cases, products cases, trucking cases, premises liability cases, and in a series of class action cases which pioneered new approaches and settlement models. In addition, Jim has served as lead counsel in far more cases which resulted in eight-figure and seven-figure settlements, including the largest settlements ever paid by two multinational automakers. Jim has also been counsel in nearly countless appellate decisions of note. Jim is proud to be an Atlanta Personal Injury Lawyer serving clients all over Georgia.
Practice Areas
4
Practice Areas
Car Accident
25%
Defective and Dangerous Products
25%
Personal Injury
25%
Wrongful Death
25%
Fees and Rates
Cost
Awards
Licenses
Licensed in Alabama for 48 years
State: Alabama
Acquired: 1977
No misconduct found
Licensed in Georgia for 48 years
State: Georgia
Acquired: 1977
No misconduct found
Location
Butler Prather LLP
(706) 323-2962
Fax
105 13th Street, P.O. Box 2766, Columbus, GA, 31901
butlerprather.com/Gallery
Online Presence
Other places you can find James online.
James E. Butler Jr.'s Reviews
Showing 1 - 1 of 1 client review from Avvo
Posted by Lindsay | April 17, 2015
Lawsuit
We filed a wrongful death case from a car wreck and my son passed away. We went all the way to trail and got a verdit of 150million. We couldn't have made this happen without this wonderful man and his team.
James E. Butler Jr.'s Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer. He is a dedicated, diligent and professional attorney bound to solve even the most complex and challenging cases. Mr. James is a the top notch attorney in his areas of practice and a well respected lawyer in the legal community. I recommend his quality services without hesitation to anyone seeking legal representation."
"I endorse James. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Jim Butler was in law school with me, and I had the pleasure of watching him participate in and ultimately win every moot court competition he ever entered. I have never seen a more effective and talented trial lawyer than Jim Butler. Several judges who presided over his major trials [those where over $100 million was obtained] have told me the same thing --- he is simply the best trial lawyer in our business. He is brilliant, talented and "reads" a jury better than any attorney I ever met. He deserves all the personal accolades and financial success that he has ever attained because he is "the REAL deal"."
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Experience
Honors
2025
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2024
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2023
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2022
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2021
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2020
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2019
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2018
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2017
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2016
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2015
Georgia Verdicts Hall of Fame Lifetime Achiever List, Daily Report
2015
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2014
Daily Report’s first Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, Daily Report
2014
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2013
10 Years Selected to Super Lawyers, Georgia Super Lawyers
2013
Georgia Top 100, Georgia Super Lawyers
2013
AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2013
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2013
Georgia's Best Lawyers--Personal Injury, Georgia's Best Lawyers
2012
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2011
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2010
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2009
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2008
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2007
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2006
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2005
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2004
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2002
Tradition of Excellence Award, State Bar of Georgia
1993
Civil Justice Award, American Board of Trial Advocates
Work Experience
2021 - Present
Founding Partner/Attorney, Butler Prather LLP
1988 - 2021
Founding Partner/Attorney, Butler, Wooten & Peak, LLP
Associations
Alabama Trial Lawyers Association
Member
Association of Trial Lawyers of America
Member
Trial Lawyers for Public Justice
Member
2000 - 2001
Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, Environmental Protection CommitteeChairman
1998 - 2005
State of Georgia, Department of Natural Resources/Environment Protection DivisionBoard of Directors, member
1993 - 1996
State Bar of Georgia, Disciplinary Board Review PanelMember
1988 - 1989
Georgia Trial Lawyers AssociationPresident
1986 - 1987
Columbus Trial Lawyers AssociationPresident
1983 - 1986
Georgia Trial Lawyers AssociationVice President
1982 - 1983
Columbus Trial Lawyers Association, Special Jones CommitteeChairman
1981 - 1983
Columbus Trial Lawyers Association, Amicus Curiae CommitteeMember
Sample of Legal Cases
Walden v. Chrysler Group
$150,000,000 Verdict
U.S. ex rel. Victor Bibby and Brian Donnelly v. JPMorgan Chase, et al.
Cash Settlement--$161,700,000
Leonard and Randall Heavrin v. Bridgestone/Firestone
Cash Settlement--Amount Confidential
Lynn and Douglas Wheeler v. Ford Motor Company
Verdict--$17,716,401 & Cash Settlement--Amount Confidential
Toole v. JMIC
$45,000,000 Cash Settlement
Six Flags over Georgia v. Time Warner
$454,296,000, over $640,000,000 collected with interest
Moseley v. General Motors Corp.
Cash Settlement--Amount Confidential
Hughes v. National Service Lines of New Jersey, Inc. and Michigan Mutual Insurance Co
Trucking Co Pays $500,000 for Brain Injury Crash
Education
1977
University of Georgia School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1972
University of Georgia, Athens
A.B.
Speaking Engagements
2013
General Practice & Trial Practice Institute
Trial Practice Institute
2012
Young Lawyers Division Workshop
War Stories
2012
Georgia Trial Lawyers Associaton Fall Workshop
Evaluating Med Mal Cases
2011
University of Georgia Student TLA Workshop
Product Liability Effect on Auto Safety
2011
Georgia Trial Lawyers Association workshop
Proving Liability with Cross Examination
2011
Georgia Trial Lawyers Annual Convention
Effectively Arguing Damages in a Wrongful Death Case
2011
Atlanta Bar Association workshop
Cross Examination
2010
Middle Georgia Trial Lawyers Association
Handling Tough Witnesses and Cross Examination
2010
Georgia Trial Lawyers Association Holiday Workshop
Keeping Them Honest--Discovery Issues and Motions
2009
Georgia Trial Lawyers Association Annual Seminar
Cross Examination
Publications
2018
Butler Wooten & Peak LLP
Atlanta Personal Injury Lawyer
1996
Tort & Insurance Law Journal
The Boundaries of Zealous Advocacy: Properly Representing Consumers Against Corporations and Their Tactics
1992
The Verdict Magazine (ASCDC)
The Bench As A Battleground: The Discovery System is Broke and Only Judges Can Fix It
1992
The Verdict Magazine (ASCDC)
The Bench As A Battleground: The Discovery System is Broke and Only Judges Can Fix It
1991
Georgia Law Review
What's A Human Life Really Worth: Recovering Damages For Decedents' Non-Economic Loss In Georgia Wrongful Death Actions
1986
Mercer Law Review
Hospital Liability for Physician Negligence in Georgia: A Realistic Approach
1982
Georgia State Bar Journal
Jones v. State Farm, The Insured's Perspective
1981
Georgia Trial Lawyers Association
Jones v. State Farm: Effectuating Legislative Intention
Languages
English