James A. Durbin
Member
Career Overview: Jim has practiced at Swanson Midgley since 1989 in the firm's litigation group. He has tried cases in both the federal and state courts in Missouri and Kansas. He has also argued before the Eighth Circuit. He has experience with both jury and non-jury trials.
Experience Overview: Jim practices as a trial attorney in the areas of products liability, premises liability, commercial landlord/tenant law, and commercial litigation. He has significant experience in life, health and disability claims primarily under ERISA.
He has successfully represented both plaintiffs and defendants and achieved successful verdicts recently in several cases including: VanDenBurg v. Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corp. et al.--representing defendant Liggett Group successfully to a defense verdict in a products liability claim; Edmunds v. The Mobility Group, Inc. et al.--representing the company and salesman successfully to a defense verdict in a claim alleging breach of contract, misrepresentation and violations of the KCPA ; Manning v. Todd--representing the plaintiff to a jury verdict in excess of the policy limits in a personal injury claim.
Education: Jim earned his Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Kansas in 1989 where he served on the Moot Court Council and Defender Project. While at KU, Jim served as the Judicial Clerk for the Honorable Michael J. Malone, Kansas District Court Division 4, Lawrence, Kansas. Jim also earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from William Jewell College in 1986 in Economics, Political Science and Public Administration where he received the Economics Faculty Award, Pi Kappa Delta Diamond Key Award and the top speaker award from the Missouri Collegiate State Debate Tournament.
Bar Admissions: Missouri, United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, Kansas, United States District Court for the District of Kansas, U.S. Court of Appeals - Eighth and Tenth Circuits.
Professional Affiliations and Memberships: Kansas Bar, Missouri Bar and the American Bar Association.
Additional Information: Jim is a member of the Lee's Summit Chamber of Commerce.
Jim is on the Board of Directors of Holmeswood Baptist Church. He also serves as Chairman of the church's Placement Team. He has also served the church as Deacon, and as a member of the Personnel Committee, Early Education Committee, Stewardship Committee and Activities Committee.
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