Patrick R. James

Practice Areas

Representation of Plaintiffs & Defendants in Commercial Litigation including:

• Torts

• Trade Secrets

• Estate & Trust Litigation

• Business Disputes

• Non-Compete Agreements

• Restrictive Covenants

• Arbitration

• Securities

• Qui Tam Litigation

• Debtor-Creditor Relations

• Corporate

• Personal Injury

• Domestic Relations

• White Collar Criminal Defense

• General Litigation

Education

University of Arkansas at Little Rock, J.D., 1982, Assistant Editor UALR Law Journal; University of Arkansas at Little Rock, B.A.,1979

Admissions

1982, All Arkansas and U.S. District Court, Eastern and Western Districts of Arkansas; U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas; U.S. Supreme Court; U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth and Federal Circuits and U.S. Court of Federal Claims

Memberships

Arkansas Bar Association, Pulaski County Bar Association; Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association; Collaborative Family Lawyers of Arkansas, Inc., VOCALS (Volunteers Organization, Center for Arkansas Legal Services); and Member of St. James Methodist Church, Little Rock, Arkansas, the Stepping Stones Sunday School Class.

Honors & Awards

• Martindale-Hubbell AV Rating Preeminent Lawyer

• Named to the 2013-2020 Mid-South Super Lawyers List 

• Best Lawyers in Little Rock

• Little Rock Soiree

• America’s Top 100 Attorneys 

Biography

Pat is a trial lawyer who loves litigation. Pat has over 38 years of experience in commercial litigation involving numerous jury trials ranging in length of up to 6 weeks, with numerous 2 and 3-week jury trials. He believes that cases are won in the discovery stages of a case through hard work and preparation, for which there is no substitution.  He believes the best way to settle a case is to get ready for trial. Over the years he has refined numerous litigation practices which he believes give his clients and him a unique advantage.

Personal

Born in Victoria, Texas, on June 11, 1957. Growing up, he was a military brat and lived at Air Force bases, including Suffolk County Air Force Base in New York and Laon-Athies Air Force Base in France.  Pat enjoys spirited discussions concerning politics.  Pat is married to Paige James who is a 1984 graduate of Hendrix College. They have three “children”, Jennifer, Spencer and Will, and two grandchildren, Gabby and James, who fulfill much of their lives.

Hobbies

Due to a mild degree of hyperactivity and way too much energy, Pat’s hobbies change on a regular basis. One of his hobbies is the fine Southern tradition of competitive barbecuing. He is a member of a barbecue team appropriately named “Here for the Beer”, which has placed 2nd and 3rd in the rib category at the Memphis in May International Barbecue Contest. Other hobbies include all types of water sports including scuba diving, paint-balling with his kids (when his knees can hold up), hunting, fishing, 4-wheeling, tailgating, cooking, ax throwing, shooting, and cycling. More hobbies will be added next year. 

Publications

Associate Editor, UALR Law Journal, 1981–1982. Co-Author: “Pretextual Use of Search Warrants in Federal White Collar Crime Investigations of Legitimate Businesses to Conduct Custodial Interrogations of Targets, Employees and Occupants; “Can They Really Do That?” 26 U. Ark. Law Review No. 2 (Winter 2004); Article, “Municipal Defenses to Antitrust Liability,” 6 UALR L.J., 1983; “The Increasing Risks of Antitrust Liability,” The Arkansas Lawyer, July 1984; “Arbitration of a Securities Dispute — An Overview for the Practitioner,” 11 UALR L.J., 1991. Author: Note, “Labor Relations — FLSA Actions Not Barred By Prior Arbitration,” 6 UALR L.J. 303, 1983. Member, Arbitration Panel, National Association of Securities Dealers, 1986–1990.