Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner

Business & Commercial Disputes

Partner - Litigation and Investigations

Jim is a commercial litigator and trial lawyer and leads the firm’s Kansas City Commercial Disputes Team. He handles a wide range of disputes arising in the U.S. and abroad, representing some of the largest financial institutions, insurance companies and other national and multinational corporations in complex litigation involving loan disputes, breach of contract, fraud and unfair business practices, among other matters. He has successfully represented clients in disputes with more than six hundred million dollars at issue. Jim is experienced in litigation matters including lender liability claims; compliance with federal laws and regulations; breach of fiduciary duty claims; contract disputes; ownership disputes between partners, shareholders, or members of closely held businesses; trade secret and non-competition claims; class action claims; and insurance coverage issues. Jim has experience advising clients from the investigation phase through trial and appeal for matters pending in state and federal court, including representations in bankruptcy court, the Missouri Public Service Commission, and before multiple courts simultaneously.

In addition to his commercial litigation practice, Jim co-leads the firm’s Higher Education Team. He frequently works with institutions and their leadership to navigate the complex regulatory, federal enforcement, intellectual property, commercial and litigation challenges such institutions confront on a daily basis. He serves as acting general counsel of a multi-campus private university. In addition to his role as acting general counsel, he routinely advises higher education clients regarding compliance with all laws and regulations; faculty compensation; Title IX controversies; campus safety; online learning; the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA); and effective ways to manage and control risks.

Jim began his legal career with a law firm in New York City. While in law school, he was a member of the Cardozo Law Review and was named an H. Burt Mack Scholar.