James D. Cardea

Award-winning attorney James D. Cardea is known for his work in personal injury cases, particularly those involving medical malpractice and birth injuries. 

After earning an undergraduate degree from McDaniel College, Mr. Cardea attended the University of Baltimore School of Law. He graduated cum laude with a Juris Doctor in 1995, also earning the American Jurisprudence Award for earning the highest grade in his domestic relations as well as his legal analysis, research and writing courses.

The same focus Mr. Cardea brought to his education extends to his practice today. He is dedicated to helping people navigate some of the most difficult moments of their lives through patiently listening to their concerns and thoroughly explaining their options. Although compassionate with clients, Mr. Cardea is known for his aggressive advocacy in the courtroom and in settlement negotiations.

Over the course of his career, Mr. Cardea has obtained numerous seven-figure jury verdicts and settlements which have been featured in The Baltimore Sun and The Daily Record, among other publications. Mr. Cardea's many notable verdicts include a $1.75 million verdict in a Baltimore County jury trial which, according to topverdict.com, was one of the largest medical malpractice verdicts in the country.

Mr. Cardea has been repeatedly honored as one of Maryland’s top 100 attorneys by Maryland Super Lawyers and as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by the American Trial Lawyers Association. In 2025 and 2026, he was selected as a top 10 Super Lawyer in Maryland and, in 2026,he was included in Super Lawyers' inaugural Top 5 Maryland Personal Injury Attorney list. Mr. Cardea has also been included in Best Lawyers in America, Best Attorneys in America, The National Association of Distinguished Counsel (Top Attorneys) and the National Trial Lawyers Top 100, as well as several other organizations. After receiving nominations from around the state of Maryland, The Daily Record and Maryland State Bar Association named Mr. Cardea as one of their 2025 Leaders in Law honorees. He was selected based upon his outstanding dedication to his occupation and community as well as his strong commitment to public service. In 2025, Mr. Cardea was also a elected a Fellow of the International Society of Barristers (ISOB) which recognizes the most exceptional advocates of each generation. Fellowship is extended by invitation only and follows an extensive and highly selective screening process that evaluates a lawyer's trial skill, experience, accomplishments, and unwavering commitment to the highest ethical standards-- as assessed by respected trial lawyers and judges. Most recently, Mr. Cardea was admitted in 2026 as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL) which is widely recognized as the preeminent organization of trial lawyers in North America.

In 2022 and 2023, Mr. Cardea was one of only 25 attorneys in Maryland named to the Daily Record’s Personal Injury & Medical Malpractice Law Power List. Identified as one of the finest and most influential practitioners in Maryland, Mr. Cardea was selected to this exclusive list after the Daily Record’s editorial team consulted their readers and other individuals in the legal community for their input and perspective.

When he is not with clients, Mr. Cardea can be found spending time with his wife and three daughters. He has also coached youth sports, and every year he sponsors a golf tournament in honor of his father, to raise money for the Fox Chase Cancer Center.

* AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Rating™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.