James Michael Richardson

A leading trial lawyer, Jim Richardson is President of the National Board of Trial Advocacy – the largest organization for attorney Board Certification in the United States. Founded in 1977, NBTA offers Board Certification in specialty areas that include Civil Trial Law, Civil Practice Law, Trucking Accident law, Family Law, Criminal Law, and Social Security Disability. He has three Board Certifications, one by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Civil Trial Law, and two by the National Board of Trial Advocacy in Civil Trial Law, and Civil Practice Law.

Richardson has received verdicts and settlements in multiple trial practice areas, including breach of contract and fiduciary duty, malpractice, unfair competition, real estate, environmental, construction, and probate controversies.

He has repeatedly been named to the state's Top 50 Central & West Texas Super Lawyers®, as published in Thompson Reuters' annual “Top List – Best of the Best®." He has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America® in Commercial Litigation since 2012 and by Texas Best Lawyers® since the inception of the publication (BL Rankings). He is a Member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, an invitation-only national organization of distinguished trial lawyers and judges dedicated to preserving the right to a civil jury trial.

Richardson began his practice with Fulbright & Jaworski in Houston, Texas, later serving as managing partner for two renowned litigation boutiques in Austin, Texas. He has been a course director, moderator, and presenter at numerous professional programs on the topic of trial advocacy and procedure in complex commercial litigation.

Honors and Distinctions

President, National Board of Trial Advocacy, 2020-2022
Member and Fellow, American Board of Trial Advocates
Top 50 Super Lawyers®, Central and West Texas Region (Thomson Reuters) 2013, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2019
Top 10 Business Tort Trial Lawyers - Texas®, The National Trial Lawyers 2019
Best Lawyers in America® 2012-2019, Commercial Litigation (Levine Leichtman Capital Partners)
U.S. News & World Report – Best Law Firms®, 2019 (Levine Leichtman Capital Partners)
Texas Best Lawyers®, 2012-2019 (Levine Leichtman Capital Partners)
Top Rated Lawyers®, 2012-2019 (ALM/LexisNexis) AV®Preeminent™ 5.0-5
Editor-in-Chief, Tulsa Law Review
Outstanding Law Graduate, Oklahoma Bar Association

Special Licenses/Certifications

Board Certified – Civil Trial Law, National Board of Trial Advocacy
Board Certified – Civil Practice Law, National Board of Trial Advocacy
Board Certified – Civil Trial Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization

Bar/Professional Activity

President (2020-2022), National Board of Trial Advocacy; National Board of Directors (2015-2018); Civil Trial Advocate (2002-present); State Coordinator–Texas (2013-present); Executive Committee (2016-present); Advisory Committee (2009-present); Long Range Planning Committee (2015-present)
Member and Fellow, American Board of Trial Advocates
State Bar of Texas, Rules of Evidence Committee (1996-98); Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct Committee (2000-04); Panel Chair, District 9A Grievance Committee of the State (2002-03) (Member from 1997)
Past-Chair, Civil Litigation Section, Austin Bar Association (Immediate Past-Chair, 2016-17; Chair, 2015-16; Vice-Chair, 2013-14; Treasurer, 2012-13; Secretary 2011-12); Austin Bar Association, Board of Directors (1997-99)
Fellow, American College of Board Certified Attorneys (2015-present)
Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America (2015-present)
Master of the Bench, American Inns of Court, Robert W. Calvert Chapter (2005-present)
Life Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation (1999-present)
Founding Life Fellow, Austin Bar Foundation (2005-present)
Special Assistant Attorney General, State of Texas, 1981-82

Verdicts and Settlements:

Depth of experience resulting from significant jury and non-jury trials in numerous cases across the State of Texas.

References available on request.

Educational Background:

• University of California at Los Angeles (1977) – B.A. Magna Cum Laude in Political Science
• University of Tulsa College of Law (1981) – Juris Doctor, Highest Honors