Mr.  GALLAGHER is a founding and senior partner who brings a lifetime of experience and a hands-on approach to the firm’s litigation.  He has litigated many complex and multi-district actions throughout his career and is currently involved in the defense in the 9/11 litigation in the Southern District of New York and the In Re Air Crash Near Peixoto de Azeveda, Brazil on September 29, 2006 Brazil litigation in the Eastern District of New York.  Jim maintains an active trial practice in the New York Supreme Court Counties in New York City and its suburbs, as well as in the four Federal District Courts throughout New York State.  In addition to the State and Federal trial level courts in New York, Jim is admitted to the United States Courts of Appeal for the Second Circuit and the District of Columbia Circuit and has argued in both.  He is also admitted to the United States Supreme Court where he has contributed a number of submissions.

His clients have included manufacturers in such diverse industries as automotive, aircraft, hand and power tools, heavy industrial and construction industries, office furniture, as well as recreation products, heating and electrical products.  He has also represented chemical manufacturers in fire, burn and ground contamination litigation, home appliance manufacturers in wrongful death, personal injury and property damage matters.  Jim has represented high profile clients in litigation in the retail, consumer products, hotel, restaurant property management, food service and trucking industries.  Jim is honored to be accepted into active membership in a number of the National and International Bar Associations.  In the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel, he has been a member of the Transportation (Chair 1998-2000), Products Liability and Intellectual Property (Chair 2004-2007) Sections, and continues to serve on the Federation’s Publications Committee.  Jim is a member of the International Association of Defense Counsel (1997–2008), the Defense Research Institute (1986 – 2008), the Products Liability Advisory Counsel (1991 – 2008) and the Lawyers for Civil Justice (2003 – 2008).

In addition to his management and active litigation responsibilities for the firm, Jim has spoken regularly before Bar Associations and client educational sessions.  He has authored a number of publications, most recently, “Current Observations of the Fair Use Doctrine in Copyright” presented at the Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel Annual Meeting, Intellectual Property Section, Bermuda, July 23-30, 2006 and “Utilization of Foreign Standards and Applications in Establishing Feasible Alternative Design in Design Defect Litigation” presented at the Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel, Corporate Counsel Symposium, September 27-30, 2006, Chicago, Illinois.

When not working, Jim likes to spend time with his family, including an ever increasing number of grandchildren, and watch his Golden Retrievers chase their tennis balls into the surf.