Jim L. Ferraro, the founding shareholder and president of Ferraro Law, has dedicated over three decades to championing the rights of victims harmed by negligence and malpractice. His areas of focus include asbestos exposure, environmental law, personal injury, and wrongful death. Jim’s approach to the practice of law transcends the conventional goal of winning cases; he focuses on restoring respect and pursuing justice for each of his clients. His deep-seated belief that everyone is entitled to strong legal representation, particularly when confronting powerful entities, is what motivates him every day. This commitment is the cornerstone of his practice and has led him to secure some of the most substantial courtroom victories in the field, resulting in landmark verdicts that have not only brought justice to many but also helped shape industry standards and legal practices moving forward. Jim’s is a true advocate for those in need.
A native of Greenwich, Connecticut, Mr. Ferraro graduated from the University of Miami with a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1978 and, in 1979, a Master of Science degree in accounting. The following year, in 1980, he went on to become a certified public accountant (CPA). He also instructed an accounting class in 1982 at the University of Miami. Then he went to the University of Miami School of Law in 1983 to receive his law degree.
Jim Ferraro has built a distinguished legal career with numerous high-profile victories and significant achievements. These include the largest compensatory award in Florida for a mesothelioma case in 1995. He also won the highest national compensatory jury verdict for a non-malignant asbestos case in 1997. His legal career has resulted in settlements totaling billions of dollars for tens of thousands of clients.
A landmark moment in his career occurred in 1996 when he made American legal history by successfully prosecuting American multinational corporation, DuPont in the first case against a chemical company for causing a birth defect, where he demonstrated that exposure to the fungicide Benlate resulted in a child being born without eyes. This trial, which was broadcast on Court TV and captured worldwide attention, ultimately was upheld by the Florida Supreme Court seven years later.
Further showcasing his legal experience, in August 2015, Jim achieved a $17,175,000 verdict in an asbestos case against Georgia-Pacific, alongside his oldest son, and fellow attorney, James. This victory earned him the title of 2015 Plaintiff’s Attorney of the Year by CVN Florida. Later that year, he shared his insights and experiences as a guest lecturer at Harvard Law School for third-year law students.
In addition to representing clients in catastrophic injury, wrongful death, and toxic tort cases, Mr. Ferraro also plays a leading role in Ferraro Law’s complex commercial and business litigation practice. As a former Certified Public Accountant, he brings a strategic and business-oriented perspective to each matter, crafting litigation approaches that are efficient, results-driven, and tailored to the specific objectives of each client.
(Also Partner, Kelley & Ferraro LLP, Cleveland, Ohio)
