James E. Johnson

About James

EXPERIENCE

As senior counsel, James Johnson represents companies and individuals in high-exposure and high-profile disputes in federal and state courts throughout Texas. In recent years, Mr. Johnson has represented clients in a broad range of matters including motor vehicle accidents, premises liability, products liability, transportation liability, construction liability, employer liability, property loss/subrogation litigation, DTPA liability, commercial litigation and intentional torts. Mr. Johnson has successfully served clients as trial counsel in more than 20 jury trials in multiple state court venues. His trial experience and proficiency at handling complex litigation has developed an ability to accurately evaluate a client’s litigation exposure, which affords a solid foundation to counsel clients in the alternative resolution of disputes through mechanisms such as pre-trial negotiation, formal mediation, summary bench trials and jury trials. Mr. Johnson has developed a particular ability to quickly and accurately evaluate lawsuits and potential risks for clients. He concentrates on implementing aggressive strategies to affect the dynamics of a lawsuit to obtain optimal results for clients. Outside of the courtroom, Mr. Johnson has been a speaker at various seminars addressing civil procedure, civil evidence and insurance issues, as well as their impact on clients.

SIGNIFICANT CASES

• Rawls, et al. v. Bennett, et al. (Dallas County, Texas). Rear-end, chain reaction highway collision resulting in serious bodily injuries to Plaintiff and her minor son. Plaintiffs asked jury to award damages in excess of $750K against named Defendants; secured defense verdict on behalf of client (100% responsibility on Co-Defendant).
• Williams v. Spectrum Management, Inc., et al. (Tarrant County, Texas). Plaintiff suffered serious injuries to her low back and lower extremities when she slipped and fell on an icy sidewalk. Plaintiff asked jury to award damages in excess of $500K against named Defendants; secured directed verdict on behalf of client.
• Sosa v. Knoebel, et al. (Dallas County, Texas). Intersectional collision that resulted in serious bodily injuries to the Plaintiff. Plaintiff asked jury to award damages in excess of $350K against named Defendants; secured defense verdict on behalf of client (60% responsibility on Plaintiff/40% responsibility on client).

REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS

• Rodriguez, et al. v. Prism Hospitality, et al. (Dallas County, Texas). Associate counsel representing shuttle bus service in an alleged Texas Dram Shop violation that resulted in the death of a minor and serious injuries to family members in a subsequent motor vehicle accident.
• Billelo v. SLC McKinney Partners, L.P., et al. (Collin County, Texas). Associate counsel representing a cattle owner whose cows allegedly escaped the grazing pasture and were involved in a serious motor vehicle accident.
• Procaccianti Group v. Service Fire Equipment, et al. (Tarrant County, Texas). Associate counsel representing the service technician of a fire suppression system installed in a hotel kitchen that allegedly failed to extinguish a kitchen fire, which resulted in more than $550K in property and business interruption damages.
• Crockett v. S&D Logging, et al. (Lamar County, Texas). Associate counsel representing logging business that allegedly trespassed on Plaintiff’s property and clear-cut more than 24 acres of timber, resulting in more than $250K in damages.
• Juarez v. Mar-Properties, Ltd., et al. (Erath County, Texas). Associate counsel representing the alleged employer of a Plaintiff who suffered serious bodily injuries in a 30-foot fall from a lift basket during the erection of a metal warehouse.
• Baeza, et al. v. Crayon Campus, Inc., et al. (Dallas County, Texas). Associate counsel representing a day care center in relation to an alleged history of physical abuse to minor children placed under the supervision of one of its day care personnel.
• Peppers v. Santo Stone, et al. (Parker County, Texas). Associate counsel representing a transporter of quarried rock in relation to alleged serious bodily injuries suffered by the Plaintiff in a rear-end motor vehicle accident on the highway.
• Ayala v. North American Coal Corporation, et al. (Dallas County, Texas). Associate counsel representing the general contractor of a mine operation in relation to an alleged traumatic brain injury suffered by the Plaintiff while moving a several-thousand-pound metal lift plate during mine operations.
• Hyles v. S.J. Louis Construction of Texas, Ltd. (Tarrant County, Texas). Associate counsel representing the installer of a sewer line on Plaintiff’s rural property who allegedly caused the death of the Plaintiff’s prized cattle.
• McLamb, et al. v. Angelica Corporation, et al. (Dallas County, Texas). Associate counsel representing the operator of a commercial laundry plant in relation to the death of a truck driver who assisted in the loading of a 9,400-lb. piece of equipment on a flatbed trailer.
• Johnson v. Metro Ford Truck Sales, Inc., et al. (Dallas County, Texas). Associate counsel representing a truck dealership in relation to alleged serious bodily injuries suffered by the Plaintiff in a motor vehicle accident with the dealership’s truck/trailer.