Jim started with the Smith Sovik Law Firm over 30 years ago and has been practicing law as a personal injury litigator ever since.  Jim's practice is split evenly between Plaintiff and Defense cases, having tried, appealed and settled hundreds of cases in both State and Federal Court with great success.  He has handled and resolved numerous million-dollar settlements on both sides as well.  Jim has been named a top-rated personal injury attorney on the Upstate New York Super Lawyers list every year since 2009 and has been consistently listed as one of the top 50 lawyers.

In addition to practicing as a personal injury trial lawyer and private mediator, Jim is approved by the Northern District (NDNY) as a Federal Court mediator as well as the 3rd, 4th and 5th Judicial Districs for the New York State Court Mediation Program.  Aside from serving as mediator in hundreds of mediations, he is certified through the American Arbitration Association.  

• Syracuse University College of Law, J.D., 1994
• LeMoyne College, B.S., 1990

• Onondaga County Bar Association
• New York State Bar Association
• American Bar Association
• US District Court Northern District of New York
• Untied States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
• Defense Research Institute
• Trucking Industry Defense Association

$400/hour