James C. Carpenter

Biography

Jim Carpenter is brought in when a company faces a high-stakes dispute with the potential to become expensive and disruptive litigation. Jim is an asset to his corporate clients, delivering competence and competitiveness in the courtroom, as well as a business-like approach to case management. Jim’s method of defending litigation begins with learning and understanding his client’s business strategy and future plans. Using this as a springboard, Jim then employs his curiosity to uncover the facts, research precedent, and understand the “why,” along with the “what.”

Jim is known by his colleagues, judges, clients, and opponents as being an effective and patient negotiator who has the ability to get all parties to the table, with advocacy for his clients and resolution as his top priority.

Jim’s clients include entities in the construction, financial services, real estate, industrial and manufacturing industries.

Representative Experience

  • Obtained multi-million dollar verdict on behalf of family-owned HVAC subcontractor in disagreement with the general contractor during the construction of a publicly funded K-12 education project
  • Successfully argued in bankruptcy court on behalf of restaurant entrepreneur, resulting in a valid, multi-million dollar contractual obligation not being enforceable due to breach of fiduciary duty by the bankrupt party
  • Obtained decision by the West Virginia Supreme Court interpreting the Uniform Commercial Code that resulted in the recovery of corporate funds in excess of $1 million that were mishandled by corporate treasurer for personal use
  • National and regional lead counsel in representation of the banking industry in check payment and regulatory litigation, negotiable instruments, bank deposits, and collection
  • Acted as lead trial counsel in dozens of cases defending claims of alleged architectural, engineering, accounting, legal, or medical professional negligence/malpractice
  • Defended public and closed corporations, corporate officers in directors liability and fiduciary duty litigation
  • Representation in complex business and commercial litigation, bankruptcy court adversary actions, construction, products liability, hazardous substances, and toxic tort litigation
  • Lead counsel in major disputes involving school, highway, and commercial construction, and related eminent domain litigation

Licensed In

  • Ohio

Education

  • J.D. The Ohio State University Michael E. Moritz College of Law
  • B.A. Ohio State University

Memberships

  • Franklin Inns of Court, Counselor
  • President, Barrister Club of Columbus
  • Past Trustee, The League Against Child Abuse
  • Former President and Trustee, The Columbus Area Leadership Program (n/k/a Leadership Columbus)
  • Member Million Dollar Advocacy Forum
  • Columbus Bar Association (Chairman, Mentoring Committee; Common Pleas Court, Federal Court Committees)
  • American Bar Association (Litigation, Corporate Counsel, and Law Practice Management Sections)
  • Fellow Columbus Bar Association
  • Fellow Ohio State Bar Association (Litigation Section Board Member 2015 to present)
  • American Arbitration Association Panel of Arbitrators
  • Mediator – Federal Court Mediation Program

Achievements

  • America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators
  • Peer Review Rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell
  • The Best Lawyers in America®
  • Best Lawyers® 2024 Columbus, OH, Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants, Lawyer of the Year
  • Best Lawyers® 2019 Columbus, OH, Product Liability Litigation, Lawyer of the Year
  • Best Lawyers® 2019 Columbus, OH, Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants, Lawyer of the Year
  • Best Lawyers® 2017 Central Ohio, Civil Litigation, Lawyer of the Year
  • Super Lawyers®
  • Who’s Who In American Law
  • Who’s Who of Emerging Leaders In America
  • Who’s Who In The Midwest

Speaking Engagements

  • Lecture – Numerous Topics Including Lender Liability and Banking Litigation, Use of Experts In Products Liability Litigation, Use of Visual Aids In Complex Business Litigation, Civil Litigation, Medical Malpractice, Authored Outline of Ohio’s Construction Contracting Laws In Connection With American Bar Association, Litigation Section Project

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