Utilizing a personal, communication-driven approach, Jim leverages his extensive experience and knowledge of business operations to represent a variety of companies and clients in all matters of litigation. A history of representing companies in product liability, professional negligence and commercial matters has provided Jim with a deep reservoir of knowledge that allows him to meet the wide breadth of clients' needs in an efficient manner. Serving a wide variety of clients all over the country, from hospitals to medical device manufacturers to construction companies, Jim has been able to tailor his approach to represent and protect the unique interests of each client. His experience working with nationally recognized institutions, such as Cincinnati Children's Hospital, provides his clients with a competitive advantage as they look to mitigate risk in today's uneasy marketplace. Jim's practical approach also allows him to extend his knowledge to issues involving product liability and safety, including the issues arising from intensely complex, high-end projects like bridges and dams. Marrying an understanding of functional business operations, environmental issues and financial concerns, Jim works to tailor his approach for each client, understanding that the courtroom isn't always a feasible or desirable resolution. However, Jim also knows that sometimes litigation is inevitable, and he draws on his extensive experience in state and federal courts to prepare and present cases for trial, using his partnership with each client to build strong strategies that help clients meet their objectives in an efficient manner. Knowing that communication, discretion and urgency are the keys to meeting clients' needs, Jim takes an aggressive, yet practical approach to finding the appropriate resolutions for each client. Memberships & Affiliations · Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Cincinnati, Board Chair · Center for Resolution of Disputes, Board Member · Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Past Board Member · Leadership Cincinnati, Class XXIX · International Association of Defense Counsel · Defense Research Institute · American Inn of Courts · Ohio State Bar Association · Kentucky Bar Association · Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky and Warren County Bar Associations, including past chair of Sports/Entertainment Law Committee and current member of Grievance Committee · Northern Kentucky University, Adjunct Faculty (2003-Present) · Xavier University, Past Adjunct Faculty (1992-2001) Distinctions · Named "Lawyer of the Year" in Cincinnati for Mass Tort Litigation by The Best Lawyers in America®, 2012 · Peer Review Rated AV in Martindale-Hubbell · Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® · Selected for the Ohio Super Lawyers® List Experience Saltsgaver v. Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, et al.
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
Defense of suit involving medical negligence and medical device product liability claims Secretary of Labor v. International Construction Firm
International Construction Firm
Represented international firm providing construction, engineering, design-build, start-up and maintenance services to the commercial, environmental, heavy industrial and governmental markets in a number of matters arising under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) Ponder v. AT&T Corporation and
Lucent Technologies Inc. Lucent Technologies Inc. and AT&T
National 50,000 person class action asserting violation of Section 301 and ERISA for cancellation of retiree benefits provided by collective bargaining agreement Rose v. Giamatti
Bart Giamatti, Commissioner of Major League Baseball
Suit for injunctive relief involving Reds player-manager, Pete Rose, and the then Commissioner of Baseball, Bart Giamatti Werden v. Children's Hospital Medical Center Appellate Briefing
Children's Hospital
Medical Center Medical malpractice claim Wolfe v. Bramel
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
Defense of medical negligence claim Synthia Richardson, et. al. v. Merck & Co., Inc., et al.
Defendant Pharmaceutical Supplier and Medical Care Provider
Defense of wrongful death suit involving allegations of drug product liability and medical negligence Vaughan v. Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
Defense of suit alleging pharmacy negligence Newbanks v. Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
Defense of medical negligence/products liability Dever v. Casheer Appellate Briefing
Children's Hospital Medical Center
Claim based on report of suspected child abuse to child welfare authorities Holderer v. Hoffman-LaRoche, Inc.
Hoffman-LaRoche, Inc.
Defense of products liability claims A. Angel v. Reading Rock, et al.
International Industrial Machine Manufacturer from Japan and United States Based Distributor
Defense of suit for alleged product liability and intentional tort Arnett v. Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
Defense of suit alleging medical negligence, negligent infliction of emotional distress, and intentional infliction of emotional distress Liability Analysis and Insurance Solutions for Foreign Manufacturers and Technology Licensors
Foreign Manufacturers/Foreign Licensors
Evaluation of product liability, then insurance and other solutions for foreign manufacturers and technology licensors Medical Malpractice Defense Litigation
Children's Hospital Medical Center and Employed Physicians
Defense of pediatric medical center and its employees and employed physicians against claims including personal injury, malpractice, negligence and issues of informed consent In re Bendectin Products Liability Litigation
Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Part of national defense team that successfully defended Merrell Dow in thousands of suits alleging that birth defects were caused by the prescription anti-nausea medication, Bendectin Kottmyer v. Maas Appellate Briefing
Children's Hospital Medical Center
Claim based on report of suspected child endangerment to child welfare authorities Publications January 12, 2012, CAFA Connection November 1, 2011, "Inside the Minds: Litigating Products Liability Class Actions: Leading Lawyers on Interpreting Recent Decisions, Assessing a Case's Validity, and Preparing for Trial," chapter written by Jim Comodeca and Gabrielle Hils August 11, 2011, CAFA Connection Q3, 2011 February 23, 2011, Seeking CAFA Clarity: A Summary of Recent Case Law Addressing Challenges to Jurisdiction Under the Class Action Fairness Act May 4, 2010, Alternative Fee Arrangements: Risk Sharing Requires A Strong Partnership June 2009, "Pharmaceutical Preemption after Levine," ALFA Seminar May 2008, "Recovery of Nonpecuniary Damages in Mass Tort Actions in Kentucky: A Defense Perspective," 35 N. KY. L. REV. 197 (2009) September 1, 2006, Killing the Golden Goose by Evaluating Medical Care Through the Retroscope: Tort Reform from the Defense Perspective, 31.2 U.Day.L.Rev. 207 (Symposium Issue 2006) March 2002, "Compendium of Business Litigation Law Issues" June 4,1997, "Standard of Care v Standard of Practice," CAPS Matters Vol. 1, 1997 Presentations September 2011, "Indemnity Agreements (and other issues) with Asian Suppliers, including Enforceability and Insurance," American Law Firm Association July 2011, "Social Media Issue for Healthcare," Shriners Hospitals for Childrens March 2011, "Removal to Federal Court and CAFA Update," American Law Firm Association 2000 - 2010, "Sports Risk Management," Northern Kentucky University, Salmon B. Chase Law School September 2010, "Training, Athletics and Law," Northern Kentucky University, Department of Athletic Training June 2010, "Do You Know Who's Watching (social networking issues)," Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Medical Center, Respiratory Therapy Seminar March 2010, "Alternative Fee Trends," American Law Firm Association June 2009, "Pharmaceutical Preemption: Wyeth v. Levine," American Law Firm Association 2009, "Risk Management and Law," Beacon Orthopedics April 24, 2007, "Athletic Health Care Risk Management," Kentucky Athletic Trainers Association Symposium 2007, "Risk Management and Law," Kentucky Athletic Trainer Association November 5, 2006, "Professional Conduct of Engineers in Ohio," Half Moon Seminars September 12, 2005, "She Blinded Me With Science: Attacking Junk Medicine and Other Science Experts," Northern Kentucky Bar Association May 22, 2005, "Select Strategies For Defense Of Class Actions," American Law Firm Association January 2005, "She Blinded me with Science: Attacking Junk Medicine and Other Science Experts," Northern Kentucky Bar Association May 24, 2004, "Are You Making Enough Money: A Primer on Contracts," Ohio Valley Academy Silver Circle Seminar June 10, 2002, "The Fungus Among Us - Update on Mold Litigation," Columbus Bar Association, Columbus, Ohio June 2002 & 2003, "Sports & Entertainment Law," Inside Look, Cincinnati Bar Association September 10, 1990, "Medical-Legal Analysis and Considerations in Product Liability Cases Involving Pharmaceutical Companies May 20, 1989, "Pharmacist Liability," Drug Product Liability Treatise, 1989 |