James Whalen is a partner in the New York office of Lewis Brisbois and a member of the General Liability Practice. Mr. Whalen is one of the top trial attorneys in New York State and is perennially named a “Super Lawyer” by his peers based on his professional achievements. He is on the Board of Directors of the Defense Association of New York, is a Member of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association and is the Vice-Chairman of Lewis Brisbois’ Construction Accident/New York Labor Law Committee. In 2013 Mr. Whalen was recognized by New York Law Journal as having one of the best defense verdicts of the year.

In his 30 plus years of experience Mr. Whalen earned more than 25 defense verdicts and has taken hundreds of cases to trial. Mr. Whalen’s trial successes have primarily been won in the “plaintiff friendly” venues of Brooklyn, Bronx and Queens. Mr. Whalen's practice areas include premises liability, construction, labor law, motor vehicle (personal and commercial), wrongful death, dram shop and property damage. He also has extensive experience as a criminal defense attorney in both the State and Federal courts.

Professional Presentations

• CLE Lecturer on trial tactics
• “Managing and  Mitigating Damages in a Wrongful Death Case”
• “Conducting Trials and Negotiating Settlements.”
• “Use of Biomechanical Experts at Trial.”

Admissions

New York

Associations

• New York State Trial Lawyers Association
• Bronx County Bar Association
• American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)

Awards & Honors

Super Lawyers: New York Times Best Lawyers in the New York Metropolitan Area, 2006-2007, 2009-2015

Education

St. John’s University School of Law

Juris Doctor, 1978

Holy Cross College

Bachelor of Science, 1974