Thomas William James

PRO

Thomas William James

5.0
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 20 years

Trucking accident Lawyer Practice Areas: Trucking Accident, Car Accidents

Virtual Consultation Available

Free Consultation

About Thomas

Biography

Practice Areas

2

Practice Areas

Trucking Accident 80%

80%
Car Accident 20%

MCL 500.3101 et al - Michigan No-Fault Act

20%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 120 minutes


Payment Methods

  • Check

Awards

Client's Choice
Client's Choice
2014
Top Contributor
Top Contributor
2012

Licenses

Licensed in Michigan for 20 years

State: Michigan

Acquired: 2005

Active in Good Standing

No misconduct found

Location

No contact information is available for this lawyer

Online Presence

Other places you can find Thomas online.

Thomas William James's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

9 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (9) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 5 of 7 reviews | Recommendation

Posted by Larry | June 09, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Car Accidents

Tom James has always been up front with me about everything concerning my car accident lawsuit and it has all played out

Tom James has always been up front with me about everything concerning my car accident lawsuit and it has all played out as he said. I enjoyed having him as my legal representative and I'm very happy I picked Michigan Auto Law. In my accident, I was waiting to merge on i-94 west, a truck was in front... of me at a complete stop. We both had our turn signals on and a full size van came barreling down. I knew we were going to get hit and before I knew it my wife and I were both on the floor boards. We got hit 55 miles per hour sitting still. It was quite the ordeal. I first talked to Jordan Jones at Michigan Auto Law. Jordan helped me through the documentation for PIP benefits and all of that good stuff. He was kind and supportive. He did a great job. Jordan handed the case off to Tom for litigation. We had a conference call to start. He explained everything that would happen. He was great with returning my calls and answering my questions. His team also was always here for me, his paralegal Michele and his secretary Robin were all on the case supporting me and helping me through. The case went pretty smoothly and I couldn't have asked for a better law firm to represent me. Nothing is going to change the pain that I have but they settlement outcome they got me is substantial and will help with my family and ongoing medical care.

Posted by Marsha | November 01, 2015 | Hired Attorney | Personal Injury

Awesome experience!

I wanted to know what my options were because I knew my neck wasn't well and I had headaches, back pain and shoulder pain. I knew going back to work two weeks after my car accident wasn't the best thing to do based on how I felt and what my doctors told me. I turned to Michigan for their expertise, t...heir guidance and to help me through this. I had no idea what to do next. But they knew all the steps. They knew how to get me through what I needed with my insurance company benefits and legal representation for my pain and suffering third party case. Tom James was my lawyer. He was absolutely awesome. He was extremely phenomenal with the knowledge I needed, understanding the process and helping me with everything that needed to be done. He's very professional, down to earth, helpful and friendly. His honesty was what struck me above all. Tom was always quick to respond to me with phone calls or e-mails. If he couldn't get back to me immediately, his wonderful paralegal Michelle would do so. They were an awesome tag team who were dedicated to helping me. I felt like I was their only client. I would very much recommend Tom and Michelle. They treated you like you were one of their family - one of their own to take care of without any hiccups and without any stress. They removed all of the frustration.

Posted by Pam | December 08, 2014 | Personal Injury

Exceeeded Our Expectations

The communication with Michigan Auto Law was very good. Whatever questions we had, our attorney Tom answered without any problems and no hesitation. He always called us back and when he was in the office, he would answer. Tom's paralegal Michelle was also very communicative and helpful with appointme...nts and updates. My husband was in a car accident and they just resolved our case for pain and suffering. Our experience overall was really pleasant. Everybody was very helpful. Our expectations were exceeded and we know our best choice was to go with this firm.

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... scary to me because I didn't quite understand some of the terminology of a lawsuit case. But my attorney Tom James took that all away. He was very accurate. He was very precise and he was very professional. He came to me and gave me clarity of any questions I had. He made me feel comfortable and confident. He was always there to answer my phone calls. Whether it was by text or e-mail, he would always answer me and give me a clear understanding of what was going on and what to expect through the whole process. His paralegal Michele was also extremely helpful. Tom took me down the right path. He worked very diligently and hard for my case to be settled. From the start to the end, it was everything I needed with professionalism, promptness and understanding. I'm happy to have Tom as an attorney. I would refer Tom and Michigan Auto Law to anyone.

Posted by Joe | February 10, 2014 | Car Accidents

Tom James is a very thorough attorney. He left no stone unturned...

Tom James is a very thorough attorney. He left no stone unturned in my car accident case. Tom got all my medical bills paid. He was very responsive and answered my questions whenever I needed. I was happy with the way I was treated. Tom is very professional but he is also very personal. I would stron...gly recommend Tom to anyone.

See All Client Reviews

Thomas William James's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Thomas
Jeffrey A. Bussell headshot
Jeffrey Bussell

Unknown lawyer | Sep 24

Relationship: Co-worker

"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."

Brandon Mark Hewitt headshot
Brandon Hewitt

Car accident lawyer | Feb 05

Relationship: Co-worker

"I endorse this lawyer."

Timothy J. Klisz headshot
Timothy Klisz

Car accident lawyer | Oct 12

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Tom is a tireless fighter for his clients. I support him and his firm as excellent auto attorneys in Michigan."

Chad David Engelhardt headshot
Chad Engelhardt

Car accident lawyer | Aug 06

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"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."

View All Endorsements
Jonathan H. Frank headshot
Jonathan Frank

Litigation lawyer

Timothy J. Klisz headshot
Timothy Klisz

Probate lawyer

Ryann S. Embury headshot
Ryann Embury

Personal injury lawyer

Jeffrey A. Bussell headshot
Jeffrey Bussell

Car accident lawyer

Brandon Mark Hewitt headshot
Brandon Hewitt

Car accident lawyer

Lawrence E. Gursten headshot
Lawrence Gursten

Car accident lawyer

Chad David Engelhardt headshot
Chad Engelhardt

Litigation lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

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 Justice

Leaders Forum Patron

2015 - Present

American Association for Justice

Executive Board - Truck Litigation Group

2015 - Present

Michigan Association for Justice

Executive Board Member

2014 - Present

American Association for Justice

Executive Board - Motor Vehicle Section

2007 - Present

Michigan Asian-Pacific American Bar Association

Member

2007 - Present

American Civil Liberties Union

Member

2007 - Present

Michigan State University College of Law - Alumni Board

Member

2005 - Present

State Bar of Michigan

Attorney

2004 - Present

Michigan Association For Justice

Member

2004 - Present

American Association for Justice

Member

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

See More Legal Cases

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

Languages

English

Activity

Top Contributor

Thomas earned significant contribution points in 2012.

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Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution