Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner

Class Actions and Mass Torts

Partner - Litigation and Investigations

James Emanuel has a national practice focusing on complex products liability, mass tort, and commercial litigation matters.  In this capacity, James regularly defends major pharmaceutical, biomechanical, medical device, and consumer products manufacturers in state and federal courts throughout the country in complex, high-stakes litigation, including in multidistrict litigation and consolidated mass tort proceedings.

James has been a key member of several trial teams in high-stakes product liability cases throughout the country. This experience is bolstered by James’ prior work as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Missouri, where he successfully tried several cases to verdict in the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Western District of Missouri, including as lead trial counsel on behalf of Missouri State employees. James also has a proven track record of securing early dismissals for clients through dispositive motions practice in State and Federal Courts throughout the country.

Additionally, James has a robust alcoholic beverage practice.  His experience spans all tiers of alcohol production—including the manufacturing, distribution, and retailer tiers—for clients in the beer, wine, and spirits industries.  He oversees licensing and compliance issues for more than 450 alcohol licenses across the United States, where he assists clients with obtaining the proper licensure and advises them regarding compliance with all regulatory requirements.  He also regularly represents clients before regulatory and governmental bodies in connection with alcohol licensing issues.

James also frequently advises on Pro Bono litigation matters including acting for indigent parties, non-profit groups and charities.

Not only committed to the success of his clients, James is also invested in helping to foster a positive culture within BCLP through his participation in the firm’s Recruiting Committee and the St. Louis Office wellbeing committee.

While earning his J.D. at Notre Dame, James was a member of the International Moot Court Team, and was awarded the Jessup International Moot Court Award for Excellence in Advocacy.  Additionally, as part of the Notre Dame Program for Law and Human Development, James spent a summer in Amman, Jordan researching international human rights issues, and authored a published student research paper entitled “Discriminatory Nationality Laws in Jordan and Their Effect on Mixed Refugee Families,” which was cited by the U.S. Library of Congress. See “Legal Status of Refugees: Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, and Iraq” (https://www.loc.gov/item/2018298782). Following law school, James served for three years as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Missouri, where he defended the State from suit in federal and state courts.

CIVIC INVOLVEMENT & HONORS Best Lawyers in America, Ones to Watch, 2023 Product Liability Advisory Council (PLAC), Future Leader-Sustaining Member, 2023 Missouri Lawyers Media Up & Coming Award, 2022 Theodore McMillian Inns of Court, Barrister, 2021-2023 Board Member, Federal Bar Association, St. Louis Chapter, 2020 – present Super Lawyers, Rising Star, 2019-2022 Big Brother, Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri 2014 – 2019