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About Thomas
Biography
If you are looking for representation for an automobile accident injury or if your automobile insurance company has refused to honor your policy, then call me. I focus my practice on auto accidents, first-party lawsuits, attendant care claims and insurance coverage disputes. With more than 25 trials, I'm a tenacious advocate for my clients.
I began my legal career at the prosecutor's office in St. Joseph's County, Michigan even before graduating from law school. After successfully completing the rigorous demands of "Prosecutor's Boot Camp", I immediately entered the courtroom and began trying cases. To date, I have taken over 25 cases to trial fighting for the rights of victims and against those who break the law.
I bring this considerable trial experience to Michigan Auto Law. I joined the firm in 2004 and continue my fight against those who break the law; however, the wrongdoers in my current cases are the insurance companies who refuse to honor their legal obligations to their clients and deny payment of reasonable and necessary expenses stemming from car accidents.
I earned my Law Degree with Honors from Michigan State University College of Law. While in law school, I was the Editor-in-chief to the Journal of Business and Securities Law; captain of three national, interschool, mock-trial competition teams; president of both the student chapters of ATLA and MTLA; Dean's list member and I earned numerous awards for my legal writing including publication of an article on SEC disclosure requirements. Prior to law school, I earned my Masters in Business Administration (M.B.A.) from Golden Gate University in San Francisco, CA and an undergraduate accounting degree from San Jose State University where I was a member of the Beta Alpa Psi honor society.
Practice Areas
2
Practice Areas
Trucking Accident
80%
Car Accident
20%
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Check
Awards
2014
2012
Licenses
Licensed in Michigan for 20 years
State: Michigan
Acquired: 2005
No misconduct found
Location
No contact information is available for this lawyer
Gallery
Online Presence
Other places you can find Thomas online.
Thomas William James's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
9 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
Showing 1 - 1 of 1 review | Punctuality
Posted by Tammie | July 31, 2014 | Personal Injury
I'm happy to have Tom as an attorney. He made me feel comfortable and confident.
I was involved in an injury on a construction site. I got hit by a commercial vehicle that caused me to be off work and in the hospital for my back surgery. I reached out to Michigan Auto Law for help with the injury lawsuit process. With this being my first time ever filing a lawsuit, it was kind of...
Thomas William James's Lawyer Endorsements
"Tom James is an exceptional attorney. He knows the auto laws in Michigan inside out, and he’s not afraid to hold auto insurance companies accountable for mistreating crash victims. Tom has taken multi-million dollar, catastrophic injury and death cases to trial. But he will also take his time to go to bat for small No Fault benefits cases – based on principle alone. Tom has a kind and caring demeanor, and a down-to-earth way of explaining the law to clients so it puts them at ease. He’s a tremendously successful litigator with a great bedside manner."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Tom is a tireless fighter for his clients. I support him and his firm as excellent auto attorneys in Michigan."
"Tom is a tireless and knowledgeable advocate on behalf of his clients. He is a recognized leader in the area of automobile negligence, including both first and third party cases. Tom is an impressive lawyer inside and outside the courtroom. His talents and reputation as a trial attorney have led to many full value settlements with insurance companies. Tom and his firm have the specialized knowledge and resource to maximize your recovery against the big insurance companies."
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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
2022
Best Lawyer, Best Lawyers in America
2021
Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers
2021
Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers
2020
Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers
2020
Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers
2019
Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers
2019
Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers
2017
Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers
2016
Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers
2015
Top One Percent, National Association of Distinguished Counsel
2015
Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers
2014
Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers
2013
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyer
2012
Justice Pacesetter, Michigan Trial Lawyers Association
2012
Up and Coming Lawyer, Michigan Lawyers Weekly
2012
Rising Star, Super Lawyer
2011
Pacesetter, Michigan Association for Justice
2011
Rising Star, Super Lawyer
2005
Editor-in-chief, Journal of Business and Securities Law
2004
Book Award, MSU College of Law / Civil Trial Advocacy II
2004
Dean's List, MSU College of Law
2003
Dean's List, MSU College of Law
Work Experience
2004 - Present
Trial Attorney, Michigan Auto Law
2004 - 2004
Prosecutor Intern, State of Michigan
2003 - 2004
Legal Research Clerk, AB Dalimonte PC
2003 - 2003
Research Legal Clerk, State of Michigan
2003 - 2003
Research Legal Clerk, Michigan State University - College of Law
2001 - 2002
Manager, Business Development, NetFlip.com
2000 - 2001
Manager, Business Development, seeUthere.com
1999 - 2000
Director, Strategic Alliances, Bpath, Inc. / Hyperbanner
1998 - 1999
Manager, Partner Relations, America Online, Inc (AOL)
1998 - 1998
Accountant, Excite Inc
1993 - 1998
Accountant, Automatic Data Processing (ADP)
Associations
2015 - Present
American Association for JusticeLeaders Forum Patron
2015 - Present
American Association for JusticeExecutive Board - Truck Litigation Group
2015 - Present
Michigan Association for JusticeExecutive Board Member
2014 - Present
American Association for JusticeExecutive Board - Motor Vehicle Section
2007 - Present
Michigan Asian-Pacific American Bar AssociationMember
2007 - Present
American Civil Liberties UnionMember
2007 - Present
Michigan State University College of Law - Alumni BoardMember
2005 - Present
State Bar of MichiganAttorney
2004 - Present
Michigan Association For JusticeMember
2004 - Present
American Association for JusticeMember
Sample of Legal Cases
Confidential Truck accident case
$570,000 settlement
Confidential Truck accident case
$510,000 settlement
Confidential Car Accident Case
$5 Million Award
Confidential Rideshare Accident Case
$610,000 Settlement
Confidential Truck Accident Case
$650,000 Settlement
Confidential Car Accident Case
$5 Million Award
Confidential Commercial Vehicle Case
$425,000 Settlement
Confidential Car Accident Case
$217,000 Settlement
Confidential Truck Accident
$980,000 Settlement
Confidential Truck Accident
$277,000 Settlement
Confidential Truck Accident
$657,000 Arbitration
Confidential
$3.5 million settlement
Confidential
$7 Million Settlement
Estate of Michael Shekoski v MIchael Bindig and Allied Excavating
$2.55 Million Jury Verdict with 30% comparative
James Fairley v Schiber Truck et al
$3.5 Million Jury Verdict
Kilmer v American Fellowship
Arbitration verdict $625,000
Conley v LaPlante
Settlement $300,000
Anthony G. Broeren and Lisa Broeren v. Roy Bates II
$5.65 million verdict on initial offer of $600,000
Williams Butler v State Farm
Jury verdict in favor of Plaintiff
Education
2005
Michigan State University College of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
2001
Golden Gate University
M.B.A.
1993
San Jose State University
B.S.
Speaking Engagements
2021
Trucking: On the Road Again - Trucking Cases 2021
How to Conduct a Safety Director Deposition
2021
No-Fault Institute XVIII
Truck Accidents for Car Crash Attorneys
2020
Annual Convention 2020
Staying on the Right Side of the Road – Ethical Considerations for the Big Truck Case
2016
No Fault Summit
Obtaining No Fault Benefits for Catastrophic Injury Victims in MI
2016
Annual Convention
Truck Accident Litigation for the Car Crash Lawyer
2016
71st Annual Seminar
Negligent Entrustment - The Role of Corporate Liability in Trucking and Auto Cases
2015
Boardwalk Seminar - Truck Accident Litigation Track
How to Depose a Truck Driver
2015
Big Truck Cases Seminar
Winning Truck Wreck Cases: The Big Picture of What Works and What Doesn’t
2015
Annual Convention
Voir Dire in Trucking Cases
2010
Michigan State University College of Law
Importance of volunteering as an attorney
2010
Michigan State University College of Law
Professionalism and Ethics
2008
MSU Law
Interviewing
2007
MSU Law classroom
Trial Evidence
2006
MSU Law classroom
Trial Evidence
2006
ICLE Solo and Small Practitioner Seminar
First Party No-Fault Litigation
Publications
2005
Journal of Business and Securities Law
ENVIRONMENTAL DISCLOSURES: INCREASING SEC DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS IS NOT THE ANSWER
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Top Contributor
Thomas earned significant contribution points in 2012.
Legal Answers
Q&A
Need car accident advice- MI
20 Oct 2019
Q&A
My daughter was side swiped in loaner car only damage was mirroring door not her fault..her car is.done insurance has paid.
13 Oct 2019
Q&A
If a semi-truck rear-ends you, whose fault is it?
13 Oct 2019