Jim's law practice focuses upon oil consultation in gas litigation, intellectual property law, and civil litigation.  He is registered to practice in multiple state and federal courts and is a registered patent attorney with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Recognized as an Ohio Super Lawyer for 2022 in the area of civil litigation: defense.

 

Oil and Gas:  Jim represents oil producers, drilling companies, and service companies in a broad range of matters — including litigation, leasing, negotiations & acquisitions, and corporate disputes.

​

Civil Litigation:  Jim’s extensive litigation experience — including bench and jury trials, mediations, arbitrations, post-trial practice, and appellate work — covers a wide range of matters, such as oil & gas, patent litigation, U.C.C, insurance, the trucking industry, product liability, and personal injury.

​

Intellectual Property:  Jim puts to use his undergraduate double major of biochemistry and molecular biology, in conjunction with Black McCuskey's other intellectual property lawyers, representing clients in intellectual property matters, including patent prosecution and protection of intellectual property rights, licensing, trademarks, & infringement litigation.

 

Background:  Jim grew up in Stone Creek and graduated as co-valedictorian from New Philadelphia High School. He attended Grove City College on a full-academic scholarship from which he graduated cum laude, double-majored in molecular biology and biochemistry, and was a 4-year starter on the men's basketball team. In law school, Jim graduated with over a 4.0 grade average and worked as an extern in the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals.  After graduating from law school, Jim scored in the 100th percentile on the Ohio Bar examination. 

 

Community:  Committed to his community, Jim is a current member and former chair of the Tuscarawas County YMCA’s Board of Directors, a former chair of the board of Personal & Family Counseling Services of Tuscarawas Valley, Inc., a former school board member of Indian Hills Christian School and is a graduate of Leadership Tuscarawas.  Jim and his family live outside of Stone Creek. He is an active member of his church, as he is a former consistory board member and a past chair of its pastoral search committee.

​

​Admissions

Ohio Bar

U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio

U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio

U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit

United States Patent and Trademark Office

​

Education

J.D., University of Cincinnati College of Law, Order of the Coif

B.S., Grove City College, cum laude with double major in molecular biology and biochemistry