James A. Rice, Jr.

Bar / Professional Activity

• Member, State Bar of Georgia
• Georgia Trial Lawyers Association
• Georgia Academy of Mediators. I was invited to join this honorary society selected for superior work as a mediator. The invitation was based on anonymous voting, 2008
• Georgia Trial Lawyer's Association. I was an invited speaker at the 2009 GTLA Conference in Amelia Island before other lawyers to present on the "Cross Examination of the IME Doctor", 2004
• Member, The Florida Bar

Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)

• $1,000,000.00 policy limits for tractor trailer collision., 2019
• $1,200,000.00. Negligent security., 2020
• 2,300,000.00. Trucking collision., 2020
• $3,000,000.00. Negligent security., 2020
• $2,900,000.00. Negligent security involving sexual assault at apartment complex., 2017
• $45,000,000.00 verdict reduced to $42,750,000.00 due to 5% comparative negligence. Negligent security involving disputed liability and status issues regarding Plaintiff who Defendant claimed was a licensee or trespasser. The largest verdict in Georgia history at the time of judgment., 2019
• $1,000,000.00 policy limits. Negligent security case with limits tendered., 2019
• $1,600,000.00. Tractor trailer collision with disputed liability., 2019
• $1,000,000.00. Collision resulting in surgery, 2019, 2019
• $1,500,000.00. DUI collision., 2019
• $2,400,000.00. Tractor trailer wreck involving disputed liability., 2019
• $440,000.00 important because insurance company refused to accept liability and later paid damages for paid faith as verdict exceeded the policy limits., 2018
• $3,000,000.00 regarding tractor trailer collision., 2017
• $15,000,000.00. Negligent Security. Largest known pre-suit settlement in Georgia history. Case involved over 50 depositions across the US spanning 3 years., 2018
• $2,000,000.00. Premises liability regarding falling merchandise., 2017
• $2,500,000.00. Disputed liability tractor trailer collision., 2017
• $2,200,000.00. Negligent security regarding restaurant shooting., 2017
• $1,000,000.00. Dram Shop resulting in death of client. Involved overservice of alcohol., 2016
• $1,200,000.00. Client shot at restaurant. Disputed liability, 2016, 2015
• $2,200,000.00 regarding the fatal DUI collision of a DUI driver and client, 2016, 2016
• $1,200,000.00. Disputed liability resulting in the death of client. Client was illegal immigrant making case much more difficult, 2015, 2015
• $1,000,000.00. Policy limits for tractor trailer disputed liability., 2015
• $225,000.00 MVA/Bad Faith. Insurer paid an additional $200,000.00 prior to trial to avoid an excess verdict., 2015
• MVA. $115,000.00 with less than $15,000 in medical bills., 2014
• Multiple six (6) figure recoveries involving motor vehicle accidents.
• $375,000.00 disputed liability cherry picker vs. truck collision., 2014
• $890,000.00 Wrongful Death policy limits recovery., 2015
• $750,000.00 Motorcycle Accident with disputed liability. $1,500.00 offer prior to trial., 2014
• $300,000.00 policy limits on motor vehicle accident, 2014
• $340,000.00 recovery for minor impact car accident., 2014
• $1,025,000.00 Disputed Tractor Trailer Collision, 2015
• $750,000.00 Premises Case (Rape), 2013
• $500,000.00 Slip and fall at retail store., 2013
• $300,000.00 Policy Limits of insurer for car accident., 2014
• $450,000.00 recovery against restaurant involving negligent security, 2014
• $1,200,000.00 tractor trailer wrongful death, 2015
• $850,000.00 Disputed liability slip and fall with only $50,000.00 in medical bills., 2014
• $750,000.00 in contested motor vehicle accident, 2014

Representative Clients

• Represented 1000’s of clients through trial and settlement including appeals for personal injury matters including tractor trailer collisions, negligent security and motor vehicle collisions. Routinely selected by peers as one of Georgia’s Top 100 lawyers and a Georgia Super Lawyer. Our firm assists and supports the community through scholarships and events.

Educational Background

• Completed Mediation Training at Henning Mediation, 2003
• University of Florida, B.A.

White Papers

• The paper discussed and taught methods for trial addressing Motions in Limine. The paper provided legal authority supporting motions in limine prior to and during trial on various complex issues including collateral source, insurance matters and evidentiary rulings. The paper also provided strategies on how, when and why to implement unique arguments to obtain success in a favorable verdict and ruling from the Court, Motions in Limine (Seminar Presentation/Paper), Continuing Legal Education, 2008
• Paper addressed legal fundamentals relating to the ability to obtain/prevent an independent medical examination (IME). The paper taught cross examination of the examining physician for use at trial involving numerous strategies that have been successful. The paper addressed potential pitfalls relating to IME's and how to defeat or mitigate them, Deposing the IME Doctor, Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, 2009

Scholarly Lectures / Writings

• Speaker, Motions in Limine, CLE Of Georgia, Authored and Spoke on Motions in Limine in Trial to Assist and Teach other Lawyers Techniques for Use at Trail, 2008
• Invited Speaker, CVS Verdict, Plaintiff And Defense Bar, Discussed live and online recent record $45,000,000.00 CVS negligent security verdict. Provided advice and answered questions regarding trial strategy, tactics and investigation, 2019
• Invited Speaker, Negligent Security, CLE Georgia, Plaintiff And Defense Bar, Lecture through CLE discussing the handling and investigation of negligent security cases to the plaintiff and defense bar, 2017
• Speaker, Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, Speak to other lawyers regarding Techniques in Cross Examining the Defense (IME) Doctors, 2009

Other Outstanding Achievements

• Super Lawyer (2009-2019) Top 100 Georgia 2018.
• America’s Top 100 Lawyers, 2017
• Atlanta Magazine Top 100 Lawyers in Georgia, 2018
• Georgia Academy of Mediators (honorary society for mediation), 2008
• Multimillion Dollar Advocate Forum, 2018
• Rising Star, Super Lawyers, 2008
• Georgia Trial Lawyers Association (2003-2019)

Honors

• Top One Percent Lawyer, 2018
• Legal Elite, Georgia Trend Magazine
• Member, Million Dollar Advocacy Forum
• Trial Team Member Runner-up National Trial Championship, University of Florida School of Law, 1994
• Top Personal Injury Lawyer
• AV Rating, Martindale Hubbell, 2000
• "AV" Lawyer Preeminent by his Peers for both his Trial Skills and Ethics For 22 Straight Years
• With Honors, University of Florida School of Law, 1994
• "Excellent" rating from Avvo

Awards

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AV Preeminent®: This elite award is granted to attorneys who have been recognized by their peers for their very high ethical standards, with an average peer review score of 4.5 or higher.