Firm Profile

James E. Reid, Managing Partner and Managing Shareholder

UNDERGRADUATE: Utica College of Syracuse University, B.A. Political Science, 1973

LAW SCHOOL: Syracuse University College of Law, J.D. 1976

ADMISSIONS:

1978 – New York Bar
1979 - United States Court of Military Appeals
1980 - United States District Court Northern District of New York
1988 - United States District Court Western District of New York
1999 - United States District Court Eastern District of New York (pro hac vice)
1980 - United States Court of Appeals - Second Circuit
1983 - United States Supreme Court

TEXTBOOK CHAPTERS:

• “Jury Instructions in the Civil Law Suit,” Trying the Civil Law Suit, New York State Bar Association, 1987, Revision 1994, 1999.

• “Handling the Plaintiff’s Personal Injury Case,” New York State Bar Association, General Practice Section Desk Book, 1989.

• “Personal Injury” Chapter; General Practice; New York, Ostertag & Benson, editors, West Publishing, 1998.

ARTICLES:

• “Service of Process Manual for the Attorney”, 1984.

• “Legal Implications of Fire Apparatus Color Selection - Its Impact on Liability Considerations,” One on One, Newsletter, General Practice Section, New York State Bar Association, 1987.

• “Uninsured, MVAIC and Underinsured Claims and Problems Under New York Law; What They are and How to Avoid Them”; National Trial Lawyer, January 1992.

EDITOR:

• Trial Magazine, 1992 - 1995.

INSTRUCTOR:

• Corrections Law, Upper Division College of the State University of New York, 1980 - 1981.

• Law Everyone Should Know, Onondaga County Bar Association, 1983.

• Civil Practice, University College of Syracuse University Paralegal Program, 1985 - 1989.

• Advanced Trial Practice, Syracuse University College of Law, 1987 – Present.

LECTURES:

• “Insurance Issues and Plaintiff’s Responses,” Syracuse Insurance Day, 1986.

• “The Use of Expert Witnesses in State and Federal Court,” New York State Bar Association, 1987.

• “Pitfalls in Personal Injury Litigation”, New York State Bar Association Annual Meeting, 1987.

• “Medical Malpractice in New York” National Business Institute, 1988.

• “Personal Injury Litigation” New York State Bar Association, 1988.

• “How to Commence a Civil Law Suit - From Pleadings to Discovery” New York State Bar Association, 1988.

• “Practical Skills Course” New York State Bar Association, 1991.

• “Presenting a Civil Jury Trial” National Business Institute, 1991.

• “Trying the Automobile Injury Case in New York” National Business Institute, 1992.

• “How to Commence a Civil Law Suit from Pleadings to Discovery,” New York State Bar Association, 1992.

• “Keeping Pace - A Guide for the Up to Date Litigator", New York State Bar Association, 1995.

• “Civil Trial Procedures in New York”, National Business Institute, 1995.

• “Decisions Seminar”, New York State Trial Lawyers, 1996.

• “Basic Civil Practice - The Trial”, New York State Bar Association Practical Skills Seminar, 1996.

• “Proving & Disputing Damages in New York”, National Business Institute, 1996.

• “Winning Openings and Summations”, New York State Bar Association, 1996.

• “Premises Liability - Preparation & Trial of a Difficult Case; New York”, National Business Institute, 1997.

• “Criminal Court Case Presentation,” New York State Police Collision Reconstruction Seminar, 1998, 1999.

• Chair & Speaker, “Evaluation, Negotiation and Settlement of a Tort Case”, New York State Bar Association, 1999.

• “Practice Skills - The Basics of Civil Practice - The Trial,” New York State Bar Association, 2000.

• “Discovery: The Key to Success a Trial,” New York State Bar Association, 2000.

• “Decisions Seminar”, No Fault Update, New York State Trial Lawyers, Seminar 2000.

• “Decisions Seminar”, Premises Liability Update, New York State Trial Lawyers Seminar, 2001.

• “Trying the Auto Case in New York”, Lorman, 2002.

• “Taking and Defending Depositions in New York”, Lorman, 2002.

• “Bridging The Gap: Personal Injury For Newly Admitted Attorneys”, Onondaga County Bar Association, 2003.

• “Trying a Personal Injury Case”, Lorman, 2003.

• “Real Evidence For The Trial Practitioner”, Lorman, 2003.

• “Decisions Seminar”, Evidence Update, New York State Trial Lawyers Association, 2003.

• “Depositions From A to Z”, New York State Bar Association, 2003.

• “Discovery”, New York State Bar Association, 2004 (Moderator and Speaker).

• “Discovery Skills For The Legal Staff”, Lorman, 2004.

• “Real Evidence For Trial Practitioners”, Lorman, 2004.

• “Bridging the Gap – Trial Advocacy for Newly Admitted Attorneys,” Onondaga County Bar Association, 2004.

• “Personal Injury,” – Lorman, 2004.

• “Insurance Bad Faith Litigation”, Lorman, 2005.

• “Taking & Defending Effective Depositions”, Lorman, 2005.

• “Update & Overview on Premises Liability”, New York State Bar Association, 2005.

• “Practical Skills: Basics of Civil Practice – The Trial”, New York State Bar Association, 2005.

• “Discovery Skills for the Legal Staff”, Lorman, 2006.

• “How to Get Evidence & Expert Testimony Admitted in Court”, National Business Institute, 2006.

• “Directing Experts – Pounding in the Theme”, New York State Academy of Trial Attorneys, 2007.

• “Mediation & Arbitration of Injury and Damages Cases”, Onondaga County Bar Association, 2007.

• “Obtaining the Best Settlement for P.I. Clients”, National Business Institute, 2007.

• “Construction Site Accidents – The Law and The Trial”, New York State Bar Association, 2007.

• “Auto Insurance & Litigation”, Lorman Education Services, 2007.

• “Handling The Auto Injury Claim”, National Business Institute, 2007.

• “Basic Civil Practice”, New York State Bar Association, 2007.

• “Personal Injury Cases: Calculating & Proving Damages”, National Business Institute, 2008.

• “Taking & Defending Depositions”, Lorman Education Services, 2008.

• “The New Litigator’s Guide To Trial Practice”, National Business Institute, 2008.

• “Mediation: A Valuable Tool For Litigators”, National Business Institute, 2008.

• “Liens, Set-Asides & Special Needs Trusts”, New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers, 2008.

• “Auto Insurance: Uninsured, Underinsured and Accident Litigation”, Lorman Education Services, 2008.

• “Product Liability”, Annual Update, New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers, 2008.

• “Construction Site Accidents- The Trial of a Labor Law Case”, New York State Bar Association, 2008.

• “General Auto Liability”, NYS Bar Association 2009

• “Additional Insured Coverage”, NYS Bar Association 2009

• “Evidence, Annual Update”, NYS Academy of Trial Lawyers 2009

• “Construction Site Accidents”, NYS Bar Association 2009

• “Practical Skills – Basics of Civil Practice, the Trial”, NYS Bar Association, 2009

BAR MEMBERSHIPS:

• Founding Member, Geiger Bar Association/USMC.

• Onondaga County Bar Association, [Former Director, Former Chair Legislative Committee.]

• New York State Bar Association, [Member House of Delegates 1990-1992; Former Chair of the General Practice Section.]

• New York State Trial Lawyers Association, [Director, 1988-1990; 1997-2003.]

• Upstate Trial Lawyers Association – [President, 1988-1990; 1997-2003.]

• New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers – Director, 5th District, 2006 – Present.

• American Academy of Justice, [Formerly ATLA.]

APPELLATE CASES:

Potter v. MVAIC, 73 A.D.2d 787, 423 N.Y.S.2d 703 (4th Dept. 1979).
Dennis v. State, 96 A.D.2d 1143, 467 N.Y.S.2d 737 (4th Dept. 1983).
Romeo v. Ace Taxi Service, 106 A.D.2d 1035, 475 N.Y.S.2d 966 (4th Dept. 1984).
Gray v. Crouse Irving Hospital, Inc., et al, 107A.D.2d 1038, 486 N.Y.S.2d 540 (4th Dept. 1984).
Nami v. Tingaris, 127 Misc. 2d 312, 485 N.Y.S.2d 944 (S. Ct. Onon. Cty. 1985).
Toolan v. Hertel, 201 A.D.2d 816, 607 N.Y.S.2d 198 (3rd Dept. 1994).
Sunfirst Federal Credit Union v. Empire Insurance Co., 239 A.D.2d 894, 659 N.Y.S.2d 656 (4th Dept. 1997).
Myrick v. Bonter, 672 N.Y.S.2d 183, 1998 N.Y. Slip. Op. 413 (4th Dept. 1998).
Ryder v. Knopik, 674 N.Y.S.2d 227, 1998 N.Y. Slip. Op. 5364 (3rd Dept. 1998).
Hafner v. County of Onondaga, 278 A.D.2d 799, 723 N.Y.S.2d 574 (4th Dept. 2000).
Thompson v. Hickey, 724 N.Y.S.2d 241 (4th Dept. 2001).
Southworth v. Macko, 294 A.D.2d 920, 741 N.Y.S.2d 813 (4th Dept. 2002).
Williams v. Tennien, 294 A.D.2d 841, 741 N.Y.S.2d 365 (4th Dept. 2002).
Curtis v. Naselli, 12 A.D.3d 1098 (4th Dept. 2004).
Boyle v. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc., 50 A.D.3d 1587, 856 N.Y.S.2d 428, 2008 N.Y. Slip. Op. 03875. Leave to appeal denied 11 N.Y.3d 705, 866 N.Y.S.2d 608 (2008).

MEDIATION:

• Certified Grievance Mediator - New York State (1999 - Present).

GOVERNMENT SERVICE:

Major, United States Marine Corps (Honorable Discharge).
Judge Advocate/Trial Counsel.
SJA BLT 1/8.
Commanding Officer, Bravo Company, 8th Tank Battalion, USMCR.
Operations Officer, S-3; 8th Tank Battalion, USMCR.
Assistant District Attorney, Wayne County, 1992 – Present.

HONORS:

1. Martindale-Hubbell A.V. Rating.
2. Listed in The Best Lawyers in America - Personal Injury Section (Multiple editions).
3. Member - Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
4. Listed as a Leading Plaintiff’s Lawyer in America by Lawdragon.
5. Listed in New York Super Lawyers (Upstate edition).
6. American Board of Trial Advocates.
7. Who’s Who in American Law - 4th Edition and multiple editions after.
8. Who’s Who in America.
9. Who’s Who in the World.
10. Knights of the Bar.
11. Listed in National Register of Pre-eminent Professionals.
12. Member, Board of Trustees, Utica College.
13. Life Member, Board of Visitors, Syracuse University College of Law.
14. Recipient – Onondaga County Bar Association Special Recognition Award – Legislation, 1983.
15. Chief Clerk, Moot Court Board, Syracuse University College of Law.
16. Phi Delta Phi.
17. Order of the Barristers.
18. International Academy of Trial Lawyers Award for Distinguished Achievement in the Art & Science of Advocacy.

OTHER/CIVIC:

Geneva Youth Hockey, Coach - Bantam and Midget Level
Geneva Youth Hockey Board - Secretary (1997 - 2001)
Snowbelt Hockey Board - Treasurer (1996 - 2001)