James M. Wherley, Jr.
Partner

Education

• J.D., University of Cincinnati College of Law May, 2001, Order of the Coif
• B.S., Grove City College, Cum Laude with double major in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry

Jim’s law practice generally focuses upon civil litigation, and labor and employment law. Jim’s experience includes a wide array of civil litigation, bench and jury trials, mediations, arbitrations, post-trial practice, and appellate work, such as:

-Oil & Gas Litigation: Represents oil producers, drilling companies, and service companies in litigation involving lease rights, production rights, and corporate disputes
-Commercial Disputes: Litigated cases involving municipal water contracting; commercial sales disputes; trade secrets; and landfill issues.
-ERISA Litigation: Successfully litigated an ERISA denial of life insurance benefits claim against a national insurer on behalf of a widower
-Personal Injury: Successfully prosecuted and defended numerous personal injury lawsuits, including those for wrongful death and serious permanent injuries
-Insurance and the Trucking Industry: Represents a national insurer of the trucking industry in state and federal courts across Ohio.

Jim’s labor and employment law practice concerns representation of both private and public employers. His representation includes: defense of discrimination claims in federal court, state court, and before administrative agencies; and defense of claims for employer intentional tort; workers’ compensation appeals; and asbestos claims.. Jim also drafts severance agreements and employment handbooks.

As background, Jim graduated co-valedictorian from New Philadelphia High School. He attended Grove City College on a full-academic scholarship where he graduated Cum Laude, double-majored in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, was a 4 - year starter on the men’s basketball team, and was named Grove City’s Sportsman of the Year. At the University of Cincinnati, College of Law, Jim graduated with over a 4.0 grade average, and also worked as an extern in the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Upon graduating from law school, Jim scored in the 100th percentile on the Ohio Bar Examination. Committed to his community, he is a board member of Personal & Family Counseling Services of Tuscarawas Valley, Inc., is a 2009 graduate of Leadership Tuscarawas, and is an active member of his church, located in his hometown of Stone Creek.

Direct Line
330.430.5057

Practice Groups

• Labor and Employment
• Litigation
• Health Care
• Oil & Gas, Mineral Rights

Admissions

• Supreme Court of Ohio, 2001
• U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio, 2003
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio, 2005
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit, 2008