James P. Hanratty

James P. Hanratty: Attorney with Marshall Dennehey
  • Shareholder at Marshall Dennehey
  • Bank of America Tower, 50 N. Laura Street, Suite 1900, Jacksonville, FL 32202
    View James P. Hanratty's office location
  • James P. Hanratty is a shareholder with Marshall, Dennehey, Warner, Coleman & Goggin. His practice is devoted largely to automobile litigation, products liability litigation, and premises liability litigation.

  • Overall Rating

    4.5
    .
    49 Reviews

  • Overall Rating

    4.5
    .
    49 Reviews

    Peer Reviews

    4.5
    .
    49

    Peer Reviews

    4.5
    .
    49
  • Profile Visibility [ i ]
    • #289 in weekly profile views out of 7,608 Attorneys in Jacksonville, FL
    • #85,092 in weekly profile views out of 2,343,578 total attorneys Overall
Attorney Awards
  • Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV Preeminent Rating
About Attorney Awards

Biography

Jim is the managing attorney and Casualty Supervisor for the Jacksonville office. In this capacity, Jim oversees a team of experienced attorneys handling corporate, commercial and civil litigation matters including workers’ compensation across Northern Florida.

Jim transferred to the Jacksonville office in 2012 after a 23-year career defending manufacturers, hospitals, trucking and transportation carriers, retail establishments and construction professionals throughout Ohio, Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Jim is an experienced first-chair trial lawyer and has taken over 150 civil jury trials to verdict since 1989.

In Florida, Jim has put his broad based experience to work by assuming the statewide supervision of matters for key clients in a wide range of cases including products liability, trucking and transportation, commercial premises liability and construction related injuries. Jim continues to handle significant and catastrophic injury cases involving automobile and general liability claims with an emphasis on the defense of brain injury claims. He is also experienced in representing health care professionals in medical malpractice claims. Jim has also expanded his practice to include representing condominium and homeowners associations as well as representing employers in matters involving ADA, FLSA/Wage & Hour, and Title VII before the EEOC and the Florida Commission on Human Relations.

Jim maintains a Martindale-Hubbell rating of AV Preeminent , the highest rating for professional competence and was recognized in 2010 as a Super Lawyer. He is board certified in Civil Trial Law by The Florida Bar. Jim is licensed to practice in all state and federal District Courts of Florida.

Honors & awards

AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell

The Best Lawyers in America , Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants
2021-2026

Florida Trend's Legal Elite - Civil Trial
2022

Ohio Super Lawyer
2010

Year joined

2006

Certifications

Board Certified Specialist, Civil Trial Law, The Florida Bar

Results

Summary Judgment Secured in a Contentious Coverage Matter

Insurance Services - Coverage & Bad Faith Litigation
September 12, 2025

We were granted summary judgment in a coverage matter. The plaintiff was seeking UM benefits for a policy he had on a car he owned for an accident that occurred when he was operating a motorcycle he owned, but did not insure. The court confirmed that the policy excluded underinsured motorist coverage for the plaintiff’s motorcycle. The issue was that the definition of “motor vehicle” for the other owned motor vehicle exclusion was not specifically provided in the policy.

Directed Verdict Secured in a High-Exposure Defamation Lawsuit in Florida

Public Entity & Civil Rights Litigation
July 1, 2024

We obtained a directed verdict in favor of our client in a high-risk defamation lawsuit. We were called to try the case on behalf of the CEO of a local chapter of a well-known national nonprofit after the plaintiff was permitted to amend the complaint to seek punitive damages from the CEO personally. The plaintiff was a volunteer at a camp. A decision was made to separate him from the camp and the organization. The plaintiff alleged that the CEO personally defamed him by alerting other volunteers and committees of the decision. He demanded an eight-figure sum prior to trial.

Directed Verdict in Favor of Our Client in a High-Exposure and High-Risk Defamation Lawsuit

Non-Profit D&O
April 23, 2024

We secured a directed verdict in favor of our client in a high-exposure and high-risk defamation lawsuit. We were called to try the case on behalf of the CEO of a local chapter of a well-known national non-profit after the plaintiff was permitted to amend the complaint to seek punitive damages from the CEO personally. When we received the case, the trial was set to begin in four weeks.

Summary judgment in wrongful death, negligent security case involving the shooting of a 16-year-old.

Premises & Retail Liability
April 22, 2022

The plaintiff’s decedent was shot and killed while allegedly on his way home from school. We were able to prove that the young man was a trespasser on the common area of the property where he was shot, even though his aunt was a tenant in the apartment complex. The decedent’s family claimed he was on his way to see her. Our investigation revealed that he was connected to local gangs and that, at the time of his shooting, he was wearing a ski mask (in Florida) and carrying a hand gun.

Thought Leadership

On the Pulse...Jacksonville Office Expands and Leads Litigation Practice in Northern Florida

Jacksonville
September 1, 2025
In 2024, the Jacksonville, Florida office celebrated our 20th year by moving to beautiful, new office space. We remain a presence in downtown Jacksonville and continue to cement our position as a premier litigation practice in Northern Florida. Defense Digest, Vol. 31, No.

98 Marshall Dennehey Attorneys Recognized in the 2026 Editions of The Best Lawyers in America and the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America

August 20, 2025
Marshall Dennehey is proud to highlight the firm’s 98 attorneys who have been recognized in the 2026 editions of The Best Lawyers in America and the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America. Less than 6% of all practicing lawyers in the U.S.

James P. Hanratty Admitted to Membership of the International Association of Defense Counsel

Catastrophic Claims Litigation
May 12, 2025
James P.

Two Marshall Dennehey Office Managing Attorneys Recognized as Florida Trend Legal Elite Notable Managing Partners

July 10, 2024
Marshall Dennehey is pleased to announce that Michael G.

On the Pulse...Our Jacksonville Office

Jacksonville
March 1, 2021
Marshall Dennehey has been an active part of the Jacksonville legal community since 2004. Defense Digest, Vol. 27, No.

Classes/Seminars Taught

Top 5 Challenges Relative to Workers' Compensation Claims, Property and Casualty Claims and For Mediators, FCCI Educational Conference, October 2018

Defending Catastrophic Injury Claims - How to Stack the Deck in Your Favor, Marshall Dennehey Florida Claims Symposium - Casino Royale, Tampa, FL, September 20, 2018

"Courtroom Warriors" Present: Trying Your Case To A Defense Verdict; "Opening Statements; Making A Good First Impression," Cleveland Association of Civil Trial Attorneys, August 2008

Use, Selection of Expert Witnesses , Ohio Association of Civil Trial Attorneys, 2003

Insurance Relations Round Table , Ohio Association of Civil Trial Attorneys, 2003

Defense of Wrongful Death Case , Ohio Association of Civil Trial Attorneys, 2002

Law Office Management , University of Akron, 1992, 1995

Insurance Seminar , Ohio Academy of Trial Lawyers, 1992

Media Commentary

"Delivery Driver Crime: The Restaurant Industry Problem Nobody Talks About," QSRweb and Pizza Marketplace, September 7, 2018

See more ›

Areas of Practice (7)

  • Construction Injury Litigation
  • Health Care Liability
  • Automobile Liability
  • Premises and Retail Liability
  • General Liability
  • Lawyers' Professional Liability
  • Catastrophic Claims Litigation

Education & Credentials

University Attended:
Walsh University, B.A., English/History, 1986
Law School Attended:
University of Akron School of Law, Akron, Ohio, J.D., 1989
Year of First Admission:
1989
Admission:
1989 - 2015, Ohio, inactive; 1989 - 2015, U.S. District Court Northern District of Ohio, inactive; 1990 - 2015, Pennsylvania, inactive; 1990 - 2015, U.S. District Court Western District of Pennsylvania, inactive; 2012, Florida; 1994 - 2015, U.S. District Court Southern District of Ohio, inactive; 1995 - 2015, West Virginia, inactive; 1995 - 2015, U.S. District Court Southern District of West Virginia, inactive; 1992, U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit; 2006, Maryland; 1989, Ohio; 1990, Pennsylvania; 1995, West Virginia
Memberships:

Associations & memberships

International Association of Defense Counsel
American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)
American Bar Association
Florida Bar Association
Jacksonville Bar Association
Ohio Academy of Trial Lawyers, 1989-1993
Ohio Association of Civil Trial Attorneys (Chair, Insurance Relations Committee, 2002-2007; Chair, Trial Tactics Committee, 2009-2012)
Ohio State Bar Association
Stark County Ohio Bar Association
West Virginia Bar Association

Military:
United States Army Reserve, 1981-1990
Reported Cases:
Significant Representative Matters: Obtained summary judgment in a wrongful death and negligent security action involving the off premises murder of an employee. The plaintiff's decedent was abducted, stabbed, and strangled during her lunch break after leaving the workplace parking lot with a man who had been looking for one of her co workers. We demonstrated that the crime was not foreseeable and that the client owed no duty. The First District Court of Appeal affirmed the order granting summary judgment.; A defense jury verdict in a tort/underinsured motorist suit directly against an insurance carrier where the plaintiff claimed brain injury and demanded $1.25 million.; Resolution of a wrongful death action against a manufacturer of a forklift by establishing that the incident was not caused by a defect in the product.; Resolution of a claim during trial of a dentist who, as a result of an auto accident, was left with neurological damage to her right arm. Economic experts claimed her professional loss due to the inability to practice dentistry was in excess of $3.4 million, but the case was settled during trial for approximately 24% of that number, due in large part to the cross examination of plaintiff's expert revealing several inconsistencies.; Supervised and coordinated several protective investigations for national construction firm requiring immediate response and scene inspection within hours of incidents to preserve the evidence and coordinate defenses often leading to the prevention of claims.; Successfully coordinated investigation and defense of Japanese manufacturer of industrial machinery in an amputation case leading to dismissal of client before trial.; Successfully defended National Restaurant Chain in multi-party litigation involving catastrophic injuries by using social media discovery to defeat emotional distress claims due to scarring.; Successfully defended a watercraft manufacturer at jury trial in a product liability action involving allegations of brain injury.; Obtained a defense jury verdict in a premises case on behalf of a national tax firm arising from a fall with serious injuries including a fractured femur with placement of intramedullary rod.; Obtained a defense jury verdict in a product defect/Magnuson-Moss action alleging personal injury due to inhalation of toxic mold and chemicals.; Successfully defended recreational vehicle retailer in multiple claims arising from allegations of product defect and 'downstream distributor' claims including successful use of dispositive motions.; Successfully defended automobile accident case at jury trial involving catastrophic injuries and liability questions involving complex accident reconstruction issues and vehicle dynamics.; Successfully defended regional construction firm at jury trial in claim involving allegations of complex medical conditions arising from a low speed impact accident.; Published Works: 'Reducing Workplace Accident Liability,' Wholesale & Distribution International, Winter 2014; 'Benefits of Involving Counsel When an Accident Occurs,' Defense Digest, Vol. 19, No. 2, June 2013; 'A Defendant's Guide To Approaching Head Injury Cases,' Law360.com, February 8, 2013; 'Benefits of Involving Counsel When an Accident Occurs,' Construction Executive, December 2012; 'Avoiding Headaches in Traumatic Brain Injury Cases,' Defense Digest, Vol. 18, No. 4, December 2012; 'Opening Statements: You Never Have a Second Chance to Make a First Impression, ' OACTA Quarterly Review, Vol. 2, Issue 4, Winter, 2009-2010; 'A Momentary Lapse Of Reason In Ohio,' Defense Digest, Vol. 14, No. 3, September 2008; 'Selection, Use, Care and Feeding of Expert Witnesses, ' OACTA Review, Winter 2002; 'Discovery In a Slip/Trip and Fall Case, ' OACTA Quarterly Review, Vol. 33, No. 2, Spring, 1998
ISLN:
906716715

Peer Reviews

4.5/5.0 (49 reviews)
Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent Rating Badge

  • Legal Knowledge

    4.5/5.0

  • Analytical Capability

    4.3/5.0

  • Judgment

    4.4/5.0

  • Communication

    4.4/5.0

  • Legal Experience

    4.6/5.0

  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Judge on 03/15/12 in Civil Practice

    Great lawyer.

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Other Legal Professional on 03/15/12 in Personal Injury

    Excellent advocate.

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Staff Lawyer on 03/12/12 in Personal Injury

    Jim is a very skilled trial lawyer.

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Principal on 03/10/12 in General Practice

    Good lawyer!

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Member on 03/10/12 in Litigation

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Partner on 03/04/12 in Litigation

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Partner on 02/24/12 in General Liability Defense

    i highly recommend him for AV rating.

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Managing Partner on 02/24/12 in Personal Injury Defense

    Mr. Hanratty is an experienced lawyer with excellent analytical and courtroom skills.

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Associate on 02/16/12 in Civil Litigation

    I have handled many cases against Mr. Hanratty, and he has always been professional and highly skilled. He articulates himself quite well, and has a great presence before a jury. I have a great deal of respect for him and his professional abilities... Read more

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Principal on 02/16/12 in Civil Litigation

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Location

Contact James P. Hanratty

Contact Information:

904-355-0019  Fax

www.marshalldennehey.com

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