As a member of Marshall Dennehey’s Casualty Department, James focuses his efforts on defending clients in general liability matters, including cases involving products liability, premises liability, and automobile liability. James has successfully defended clients in all aspects of litigation in both state and federal court, including obtaining defense verdicts at the magistrate court level and favorable arbitration rulings before the Allegheny County Arbitration panel. His jury trial experience includes second chair defense counsel in a premises liability case involving a defective stairway and landing in Allegheny County. Additionally, James was an integral member of a litigation team that achieved a Voluntary Stipulated Dismissal on behalf of a product distributor client from national multidistrict litigation (MDL) arising from the manufacture and sale of medical devices. Further, James was a member of a trial team that obtained a defense judgment in a product liability claim involving damages alleged in excess of $30 million.
Before joining Marshall Dennehey, James gained litigation experience at a medium-sized civil defense firm as well as experience representing clients in mass toxic tort matters in Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
James graduated sixth in his class from Capital University Law School in 2018. During law school, he served as both a Staff Member and Associate Board Member of the University's Law Review, where he sharpened his legal research and legal writing skills to prepare for his career after graduation.
James also interned at the Pennsylvania Superior Court for the Honorable Mary Jane Bowes in 2017, where he researched and drafted memorandum opinions while working closely with the Judge’s staff. In 2018, James interned at the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office where he worked directly with Assistant District Attorneys preparing for trial.
James is licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania and West Virginia and is also an active member of the Allegheny County Bar Association, often volunteering to serve as a judge/juror for high school mock trial competitions. James is also a member of the American Bar Association.
Year joined
2022
Results
Defense Verdict Obtained After Seven-Day Bench Trial
Product Liability
September 18, 2025
We received a defense decision after a seven-day bench trial in a product liability action in which the exposure in the case exceeded $30 million. Our client designs, sells and services engineered equipment for the energy industry, including natural gas compression apparatuses for use in transmission pipeline systems. In 2015, the client sold the plaintiff two reciprocating compressor systems to replace outdated equipment at a station located near Downingtown, PA. The compressor systems were designed to inject oil into the gas stream for piston lubrication.
Summary Judgment Secured in a Neighborhood Dispute Alleging Excess Water Runoff
Property Litigation
June 10, 2024
We obtained summary judgment in the Westmoreland County Court of Common Pleas in favor of our clients in a dispute over alleged excess water runoff. Our clients, a married couple, were sued by their neighbors for claims related to water runoff due to the installation of gutters and downspouts on a shed near the property line. We effectively argued for summary judgment on the plaintiffs’ injunction, trespass, nuisance and negligence claims, demonstrating that the plaintiffs lacked the necessary expert testimony to substantiate their case as required under Pennsylvania law.
Thought Leadership
Grossly Underestimated: Exploring Gross Negligence and Liability Waivers in Pennsylvania Premises Liability Law
Pittsburgh
Premises & Retail Liability
October 1, 2024
Gross Enough? A Dive Into Gross Negligence in Pennsylvania Premises Liability Law
Pittsburgh
Premises & Retail Liability
October 1, 2022
Defense Digest, Vol. 28, No.
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