James Bilsborrow

James Bilsborrow, a distinguished attorney at Weitz & Luxenberg in New York, New York, co-chairs the firm’s Environmental, Toxic Tort and Consumer Protection group. Since joining the firm in 2011, he has been a formidable advocate for victims of environmental contamination, toxic exposures and defective products across multiple states, including New York and New Jersey, and in various federal courts.

Mr. Bilsborrow's legal acumen has led him to represent a diverse range of clients, from farmers affected by defective herbicides to individuals suffering from diseases linked to toxic pesticide exposures, such as Roundup. His leadership in complex litigation is evident from his role in the multidistrict dicamba herbicide litigation, where he helped secure a $400 million settlement for damaged crops due to the herbicide's off-target movement. Furthermore, his efforts in Hoosick Falls, New York, secured a $65.25 million settlement that provided substantial compensation and established a long-term medical monitoring program for affected residents.

Mr. Bilsborrow's extensive experience also includes major cases like the litigation against Norfolk Southern, where he played a key role in achieving a $600 million settlement for the East Palestine, Ohio, community affected by a chemical fire. His involvement in the BP oil spill litigation further underscores his commitment to holding large corporations accountable, having been integral to the team that secured a judicial finding of gross negligence against BP.

Before his current role, Mr. Bilsborrow served as a law clerk in the U.S. Court of Appeals and the U.S. District Court. He is actively involved in several professional organizations and contributes to the development of best practices in complex litigation. His work also extends beyond environmental and mass tort litigation to encompass significant consumer protection cases, such as the class action against Excellus Health Plan, which resulted in enhanced cybersecurity measures to protect personal information.

Mr. Bilsborrow is also deeply committed to pro bono work, notably representing former death row inmates and advocating for their rights, which led to a landmark decision on the unconstitutional conditions of solitary confinement. Educated at the William & Mary Law School and The University of Chicago, Mr. Bilsborrow's career is marked by a dedication to justice, whether tackling corporate misconduct or advocating for individual rights in complex legal battles.