James Pratt is an experienced trial lawyer with 40-plus years in the courtroom, both in state and federal jurisdictions, litigating complex civil cases. He has been recognized by the top national and international societies and academies for his courtroom work. Mr. Pratt is also an experienced mediator serving at the request of both lawyers and judges in his home state and a variety of out-of-state jurisdictions. He has been called on to mediate cases on a number of occasions where other mediators tried but could not get the matter resolved, and he did so with success. These cases have involved eight and nine-figure disputes between domestic parties, as well as international entities. Mr. Pratt also serves as a consultant to various entities addressing governmental affairs, crisis management, and strategic planning. The CV on this website gives more detail about each of these areas of expertise.

 

EDUCATION

Attended Auburn University on a full athletic scholarship (1968-1972)
B.A. (English Literature) 1972 – Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama
J.D. 1978, Cumberland School of Law – Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama (Admission to Alabama State Bar – 1978)

 

EDUCATION HONOR SOCIETIES

Sigma Tau Delta (National English Honor Society);
Omicron Delta Kappa (National Leadership Honor Society);
Distinguished military graduate ROTC (1972)

 

MILITARY SERVICE

Received a regular Army commission in 1972.
Served as an Armor Officer in the 9th Infantry Division, Ft. Lewis, Washington.

 

LEGAL QUALIFICATIONS, POSITIONS AND EXPERIENCE

President of the Alabama State Bar (2011-2012). President of the Alabama Association for Justice (1997-1998). Member, Inner Circle of Advocates (limited to 100 members nationwide). Fellow, International Society of Barristers and International Academy of Trial Lawyers. Past member of the American Board of Trial Advocates. Senior Counsel, The College of Master Advocates and Barristers. Fellow, Alabama Bar Foundation. Fellow, American Bar Foundation. Member of the Birmingham Bar Association. Member of American Law Institute and Alabama Law Institute. Past member of the Association for Advancement of Automotive Medicine. AV rating by Martindale Hubbell and selected for inclusion in “Best Lawyers of America” since 1991. Designated by Super Lawyers as one of the top lawyers in Alabama and the Southeast. Designated by the national publication Law Dragon as one of the 500 leading and most influential lawyers in America. Member of the Bar of the United States Supreme Court; United States Courts of Appeal for the Fifth and Eleventh Circuits; and all the United States District Courts in the State of Alabama.

 

ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

Completed the master’s course in negotiation which is the premiere course in the program on negotiation offered by Harvard School of Law (2020). Self-study in advanced mediation based upon books and articles recommended by Professor Lawrence Susskind at MIT (who was the head of the faculty in my master’s course in negotiation at Harvard). Professor Susskind teaches Advanced Mediation at the Program on Negotiation at Harvard and utilizes these materials for that program. Special Master Northern District of Alabama Federal Court. Member Academy of Court-Appointed Special Masters. Member of National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals. Selected in Best Lawyers as Lawyer of the Year in Mediation and Arbitration. Founding Chair of the Alabama State Bar Legislative Liaison and Governmental Relations which provides mediations and facilitation service for State government. Developed the program for mediating public policy and legislative matters for State government. Former member of the Birmingham Bar and Alabama State Bar ADR Committees. Received formal training through the AAA in Fundamentals of the Arbitration Process and Commercial Arbitrator II.

 

EDUCATIONAL APPOINTMENTS

Former Advisor and Lecturer – Advisory Council, Advanced Safety Engineering and Management Program, University of Alabama at Birmingham, School of Engineering. Former adjunct faculty member with the rank of Associate Scholar at the University of Alabama in Birmingham’s Injury Control Research Center. Former member of the Advisory Board for the Biomedical Engineering Department at the University of Alabama B Birmingham. Diplomate of National College of Advocacy. Member Auburn University Board of Trustees. Board of Trustees liaison to the General Counsel of Auburn University.

 

CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS

Past member, Rotary Club of Birmingham. Past Member of the Board of Directors, Alabama Lawyers for Children. Past President of Alabama Civil Justice Foundation. Member, Leadership Alabama and Leadership Birmingham. Trustee, Birmingham Chamber of Commerce (1998-2001). Past member of the Alabama Constitutional Reform Task Force. Former Board Member of Leading Edge Institute (leadership training for young women)

 

CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION INVOLVEMENT

Served as a faculty member for the Continuing Legal Education programs for the University of Alabama School of Law, Cumberland School of Law, Birmingham Bar Association, Alabama Bar Association, the Alabama Trial Lawyers Association, the American Trial Lawyers Association, the National College of Advocacy, and the National Practice Institute.

 

PUBLICATIONS

Co-author of chapter on Jurisdiction and Venue in Litigating Tort Cases published by West Publishing Company.

 

FAMILY

SPOUSE: Marcia Pratt
CHILDREN: Andy, Brandy, Philip, Braxton