Bio
Jim, a founding partner of Irwin Fritchie Urquhart & Moore, is a nationally recognized attorney who has an impressive trial record both in federal and state courts. Before retiring in 2018, Jim served as lead trial counsel in national multidistrict litigations typically handling bet-the-company litigation.
His practice focused on the defense of purported class actions, mass-tort matters, and other complex civil litigation and has appeared in matters before the Supreme Court of the United States. Jim is a frequent guest lecturer and panelist on mass-tort litigation.
Experience
Levaquin MDL: Bellwether Trial Counsel
Xarelto MDL: Defendant's Liaison Counsel
Birmingham Hips: National Coordinating Counsel
Pedicle Screws: National Coordinating Counsel
Propulsid: National Liaison Counsel
Zirconia Hips: National Counsel
Fen/Phen Diet Drugs: Regional Trial Counsel
Latex Gloves: Regional Trial Counsel
Municipal Hand Gun Litigation: Louisiana Counsel
Sulzer Hips: Louisiana Counsel
Cell Phones: National Coordinating Counsel
Blood Product: Hemophilia and AIDS- Louisiana Trial Counsel
Vitamin Antitrust: Louisiana Trial Counsel
Asbestos: Louisiana Trial Counsel
Pesticides: Louisiana Trial Counsel
Reyes Syndrome: Regional Trial Counsel
Termiticides: Louisiana Trial Counsel
Insecticides: Louisiana Trial Counsel
Sutures: Louisiana Trial Counsel
Honors & Affiliations
Honors & Recognitions
International Academy of Trial Lawyers
The Best Lawyers in America: Mass Tort Litigation/ Class Actions - Defendants (2012 New Orleans Lawyer of the Year), Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants (2014, 2018 New Orleans Lawyer of the Year), Product Liability Litigation - Defendants (2016 New Orleans Lawyer of the Year)
Chambers USA, Nationwide, Product Liability & Matt Torts, Band 3
Legal Media Group's US Expert Guide, Product Liability
Benchmark Litigation: Local Litigation Star, Product Liability
AV Preeminent, Martindale-Hubbell rating
Louisiana Super Lawyers (Top 10 Lawyers in Louisiana; Top 50 Lawyers in Louisiana and New Orleans)
America's Leading Lawyers for Business
Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America
International Who's Who Legal: Commercial Litigation, Life Sciences, and Product Liability Defence
CityBusiness Leadership in Law, 2006
New Orleans Magazine Top Lawyers: Insurance Law, Mass Tort Litigation/ Class Actions, Product Liability Litigation
Professional Affiliations
- American College of Trial Lawyers
- International Academy of Trial Lawyers
- International Association of Defense Counsel
- Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel, President (2000), Guest Lecturer
- American Board of Trial Advocates
- New Orleans Association of Defense Counsel
- Defense Research Institute, State Representative (1992-1999), Guest Lecturer
- Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel
- Litigation Counsel of America
- American Bar Association
- Federal Bar Association
- Louisiana State Bar Association
- Ohio State Bar Association
- New Orleans Bar Association
News
Publications & Presentations
Publications
Practice Areas
Admissions
- Supreme Court of the United States
- Louisiana state courts
- United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
- United States District Court Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of Louisiana
Education
J.D., Case Western Reserve University Law School (1973)
B.A., Kenyon College (1969)