CWS Governmental Relations, Ltd.

James D. Abrams, Partner
614.334.6162
jabrams@cwslaw.com

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Practice Concentration
Services include representing clients in all aspects of civil litigation with a focus on commercial matters.

Representative Experience
Successfully settled long-standing litigation which involved use of real property resulting in relative certainty that similar litigation will be avoided in the future
Collaboratively resolved a commercial dispute regarding unfair competition resulting in a settlement prior to trial
Successfully obtained relief from judgment in three, separate, but related cases, permitting out-of-state corporate defendant to assert its defenses
Successfully recovered six figure claim on behalf of natural gas marketing company in a breach of contract dispute
Obtained judgment for client in a breach of a non-competition dispute
Successfully defended, through the Court of Appeals, vicarious liability claims against equipment rental client
Assisted various clients in negotiating major contract with State of Ohio Administrative Agency
Successfully recovered six figure claim for real and personal property loss on behalf of client
Assisted multiple Defendants in mediation of complex litigation resulting in settlement of all claims

Other Professional Experience
Prior to his legal career, Mr. Abrams built an impressive resume of practical business experience as a senior executive, serving both publicly traded and privately held businesses, including as CFO for GAP, Inc. and Williams-Sonoma, Inc.
Extern to the Honorable Edmund A. Sargus, Jr., United States District Court, Southern District of Ohio
Harold's Inc. (A National Specialty Retailer), Board of Directors - former member; Audit Committee, former Chair

Achievements and Awards

BV® Peer Review Rated*   Martindale-Hubbell Rating Explanation

Listed as  "Ohio Rising Star" by Law & Politics (2007-2010)
Recipient, The Legal Aid Society's Excellence in Pro Bono Service Award (2009)
Recipient, Capital University’s Alumni Outstanding Service Award (2010)

Education
San Francisco State College (B.A., 1967)
California State University, Hayward (M.B.A., 1973)
Capital University (J.D., summa cum laude, 2003)

Bar Admissions
Ohio
U.S. District Court, Southern and Northern Districts of Ohio
District of Columbia
U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
U.S. Supreme Court

Professional Memberships and Community Service
Columbus Bar Association: Federal Courts Committee, Former Co-Chair  (2006-2007)
Ohio Bar Association
American Bar Association
Federal Bar Association
American Inns of Court, Program Chair
Council for Ethical Leadership at Capital University: Executive Committee Member, Advisory Board Member
Huckleberry House, Vice President
Capital University Law School:  Board of Counselors; Carnegie Project: Educating Lawyers, Working Group Member
ProMusica Chamber Orchestra, Board Member

Speeches and Publications
“Preparing a Fact Witness for Deposition” Columbus Bar Lawyers Quarterly, Fall 2007 
Author: "A Missed Opportunity: Medical Use of Marijuana is Defensible". Case Note: U.S. v. Oakland Cannabis, Capital U.L.R. 31 Vol. 4
Author:  "So You Think Your Trade Secrets Are Protected"  CWS Newsletter, Vol. 2, 2008
Author: "Managing Costly Litigation" CWS Newsletter, Vol. 3, 2009
Author: "What's Wrong with Hearsay?" Journal of the Trial Evidence Committee Proof, Spring 2010




*CV, BV and AV are registered certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies