James M. Campbell

Member and President

617.241.3060

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EDUCATION

1980, B.A., magna cum laude, Boston College
1983, J.D., University of Virginia School of Law

BAR ADMISSIONS

Florida
Maine
Massachusetts
New Hampshire

COURT ADMISSIONS

U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts
U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
U.S. District Court, District of New Hampshire
U.S. District Court, District of Connecticut
U.S. District Court, District of Maine
U.S. District Court, District of Vermont
U.S. Court of Appeals, 1st Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit
U.S. Supreme Court

INDUSTRIES

Automotive

Aviation / Aerospace

Construction Industry Litigation

Heavy Equipment

Hospitality

Insurance Defense

Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices

Transportation / Trucking

PRACTICE AREAS

Appellate Practice

Class Actions

Fraud / Bad Faith

Insurance Defense

Legal Malpractice

Medical Malpractice

Personal Injury / Negligence

Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices

Premises Liability

Products Liability Defense

Professional Liability

Toxic Torts / Mass Torts Defense

MEMBERSHIPS & AWARDS

Jim Campbell focuses his practice on civil litigation and the defense of catastrophic product liability, toxic tort, medical device, pharmaceutical, professional liability, and negligence matters throughout the United States. Jim is President of Campbell Conroy & O’Neil, P.C., and has been with the firm his entire career. With a passion for trial practice, Jim has earned his place as a go-to attorney for clients with high-stakes cases. He has tried more than 100 cases in 15 states and is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, a Diplomate of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), Fellow of the International Society of Barristers, and a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America. His approach includes a thorough analysis of clients’ ultimate business objectives to achieve results. Jim is recognized by The Legal 500 as a Nationwide Leading Lawyer for Product Liability and Mass Tort Defense. Similarly, Chambers USA identifies Jim as a nationwide leading lawyer for product liability and Mass Torts. He is listed as one of the Top 10 Most Highly Regarded Individuals in the United States for Products Liability Defense by the Who’s Who Legal. Jim is consistently included as one of the Best Lawyers in America for Products Liability Litigation – Defendants. Super Lawyers identify Jim as among the top 100 lawyers in Massachusetts and New England.

As reported by the Legal 500, Jim’s clients describe him as ‘one of the best’ in his field, an ‘outstanding trial lawyer who can grasp technical issues very quickly’ and ‘achieves tremendous results for his clients’.

Chambers USA writes: James Campbell is held in very high regard by market sources for his impressive trial capabilities. He is also commended for his keen eye for detail and frequently described as “spectacular,” “outstanding” and “persuasive.” “We trust him because of results; they speak for themselves. We’ve had nothing but defense verdicts!” report clients.

Who’s Who Legal says: “A very skilled trial lawyer”, who is considered “among the top 20 in the US”

Jim serves as trial counsel for clients in industries that include automobiles, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, construction, heavy equipment, recreational products, chemicals, and material handling. Jim also defends a variety of professions in connection with alleged negligence, malpractice and breach of fiduciary duty claims. One of the firm’s principal trial attorneys, Jim serves as national, regional and local trial counsel for a variety of major national and international corporations and insurers, and is responsible for supervising and coordinating litigation not only throughout New England, but other regions of the country.

Jim is a past president of the International Association of Defense Counsel, the Massachusetts Defense Lawyers Association, and Massachusetts Chapter of ABOTA. He served as the Director of the IADC Trial Academy and the ABA National Trial Academy. He has twice served on the Board of the DRI and the ABOTA National Board of Directors.

When not in court, Jim enjoys spending time with his family, playing golf, water sports and snow skiing.

Representative Experience:

DeMond, et al. v. Project Service, LLC, et al.
The Supreme Court of New Hampshire Affirms Opinion for American Honda Motor Co.
Barack et al v. American Honda Motor Co. Inc.
Michael Eason v. Marriott International, Inc.
Triana/Cipriano v. Takeda Pharmaceuticals America, Inc.
Allen Alsabagh v. Takeda Chemical Industries Ltd.
Perez v. Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc..
Arthur Decato v. American Honda Motor Company, Inc.
Ciffo v. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Co.
Laura Arbeitman, as Administratrix of the Estate of Margaret Alene Sanders v. AT Systems New England, Inc., et.al.
Zeolla v. Ford Motor Company
McGee v. Fanelli Group d/b/a Pleasant Valley Homes
Campbell Wins Defense of Food Liability Claim
The National Law Journal Agrees: Factual Development Wins Cases
Painstaking Biomechanical Analysis Clears Toyota in Airbag Case
First Electronic Stability System Suit Results in Win for Defense
Meticulous Discovery and Physical Reconstruction of Accident Scene Exonerate Summer Camp
Jury Returns Defense Verdict of Ford Where Plaintiff has $8M in Special Damages
Jury Rejects $11.5M Wrongful Death Claims vs. Ford
Drug Makers Look to Campbell for Mass Tort Defense
Ground Contamination by Heating Oil Prompts Claims
Rediker v. Toyota
Fernandez v. Hino Trucks
Alvarez v. Ford
Sullivan v. Genie Industries
Client Cleared in Motorcycle Weave-and-Wobble Death
Dangutis v. ThyssenKrupp
Kendrick v. Crown Equipment Corporation
Barozie v. GE
Vaz v. Ford Motor Company
Defense Wins in Unintended Acceleration Case
Edward Judge v. Pyramid Gun Mall
Todd McDonald v. Crown Equipment
Morse v. Ford Motor Company
Garcia v. Ford Motor Company
Da Silva v. Ford Motor Company
Giannini v. Ford Motor Company
DiPietro v. Alexandria Hotels
Adair v. Land Rover North America, Inc.
Trans-Spec v. Caterpillar Inc., 524 F.3d 315 (Ist Circuit)
Nordensved v. Mini Coach of Boston, Inc.
Brown v. Crown Equipment Corporation
Linnen v. Walgreen
Willick, Adm. v. Ford Motor Company
Erickson, Adm. v. Angelo Todesca Construction Company
Klein v. Ford Motor Company
Peck v. Ford Motor Company
Kramer, Adm. v. Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
Gauthier v. Marriott International, Inc.
Dasti, Adm. v. Ford Motor Company
Smith v. Home Depot USA, Inc.
Storozuk v. Cumberland Farms, Inc.
Vaughn v. Ford Motor Company
Featured Case: Gosule v. American Automobile Association, Inc.
Svinland v. Honda Motor Company, Inc.
Karosy v. Turbocare
Siminovitch v. Home Depot, USA, Inc.
Taylor v. Ford Motor Company
Freitas v. Gaudreau and Dazey Corporation
Marquez v. Home Depot
Ford v. Ford Motor Company
Bowman v. Ford Motor Company
Garbacki v. Ford Motor Company
Bialek v. Ford Motor Company
Scanzani v. Honda
Towne v. American Isuzu
Luk v. Marriott
Berarducci v. Ford Motor Company
Campbell Helps Establish Celotex Standard in MA
Miller v. Wang Laboratories
Federico, Adm. v. Ford Motor Company
Carter v. American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
Scott v. Crown Equipment Corporation
Knoster v. Ford Motor Company
Pescatore v. Mead Johnson
O’Connor v. American Honda Motor Company, Inc.
Campbell helps Honda Defend Integrity of ATV Design
Mabey Bridge & Shore, Inc. v. Biehler
Campbell Defends Insurer in Station Night Club Fire
Nichols v. Honda
Moreau v. Crown Equipment Corporation
Sanchez v. Baker Material Holding
Royce v. Ford Motor Company
Fry v. Crown Equipment
Maldanado v. Ford Motor Company
Ulm v. Ford Motor Company
Armao v.

  • American College of Trial Lawyers
    • Fellow
    • Member, Massachusetts State Committee
    • Vice Chair, Jury Committee
  • American Board of Trial Advocates
    • Diplomate
    • Member, National Board of Directors, 2002 – 2011
    • President, Massachusetts Chapter, 2002 – 2004
  • International Association of Defense Counsel
    • Dean, Corporate Counsel College, 2015
    • Chair, Nominating Committee, 2014
    • Past President, 2010 – 2011
    • President, 2009 – 2010
    • President-Elect, 2008 – 2009
    • Member, Board of Directors, 2005 – 2011
    • Director, Defense Counsel Trial Academy, Stanford University, 2005
    • Director-Elect, Defense Counsel Trial Academy, Stanford University, 2004
    • Faculty Member, Defense Counsel Trial Academy, University of Colorado, 1997
  • Massachusetts Defense Lawyers Association
    • President, 1992-1993
  • Defense Research Institute
    • Member, Board of Directors, 1996-1998, 2008-2011
    • Products Liability Committee; Steering Committee 1988
    • Massachusetts State Chair and Massachusetts Delegate to State and Local Defense Organization Committee, 1993-1995
  • Lawyers for Civil Justice
    • President
  • American Bar Association
    • Dean, 2003 TIPS National Trial Academy
    • Faculty Member, 2001 TIPS National Trial Academy
  • Association of Defense Trial Attorneys
  • Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel
  • Boston Bar Association
  • Federal Bar Association
    • Executive Committee, Massachusetts Chapter, 1994-1996
  • The Florida Bar
  • Massachusetts Bar Foundation
    • Life Member
  • New Hampshire Bar Association
  • Product Liability Advisory Council
    • Sustaining Member, 1986-present
  • Litigation Counsel of America, Fellow
  • International Society of Barristers, Fellow

  • Inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers
  • Diplomate of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)
  • A “Leading Individual” in Chambers USA in Products Liability & Mass Torts: Nationwide, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
  • A “Star Individual” in Chambers USA in Products Liability: Automotive, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
  • Recognized by The Legal 500 as a Product Liability and Mass Tort Defense: Automotive/Transport Leading Lawyers nationwide for 2018. This marks the tenth consecutive year that James Campbell has been named to this list
  • Among the Top 10 Most Highly Regarded Individuals in Products Liability Defense in Who’s Who Legal
  • Massachusetts Defense Lawyers Association, Defense Lawyer of the Year, 2016
  • Selected by his peers for inclusion in “The Best Lawyers in America” in the field of Products Liability Litigation – Defendants, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018
  • AV® Preeminent™ Peer Reviewed in Martindale-Hubbell
  • Listed as a Litigation Star by Benchmark Litigation
  • Listed as one of the World’s Leading Product Liability Lawyers in the Euromoney Expert Guides
  • Listed in the Best of the Best USA for Product Liability in Euromoney Expert Guides
  • Listed among the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in America by Benchmark Litigation
  • Listed among the Top 100 Lawyers in New England by Best Lawyers, 2012
  • Designated a Super Lawyer since 2005
  • Listed in the Who’s Who Legal for Life Sciences & Product Liability Defence
  • Listed among the Top 100 Lawyers in Massachusetts by Super Lawyers in 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017
  • Listed among the Top 100 Lawyers in New England by Super Lawyers 2012, 2015 and 2016
  • Global Law Experts Product Liability Defense Attorney of the Year in Massachusetts – 2014

Ford emerges victorious in 13 year dealership dispute

December 2018

Jim Campbell, Michelle Schaffer, Curtis Berglund and Hudson Rowland defended Ford Motor Company in a long running 13 year dispute with the Darling dealership in Maine. Ford met its burden of proof that it had good cause to end payments to the Darling’s dealership in connection with the Blue Oval dealer incentive program. The case…

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Ryan v. Marriott Corporation

November 2017

The plaintiff, a 12-year-old girl, claimed $500,000 in medical expenses after allegedly eating an undercooked cheeseburger. The claim was that the burger was contaminated with various bacteria. While in hospital, the plaintiff almost died twice, allegedly as a result of the undercooked meat. This was an extremely difficult case that involved microbiology, food processing and…

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Laura Arbeitman, as Administratrix of the Estate of Margaret Alene Sanders v. AT Systems New England, Inc., et.al.

April 2015

James Campbell and Kathleen Guilfoyle obtained a defense verdict on April 11, 2013 in Northampton Superior Court in Laura Arbeitman, as Administratrix of the Estate of Margaret Alene Sanders v. AT Systems New England, Inc., et.al. This wrongful death action arose out of a fatal collision between an armored vehicle and a bicyclist at the…

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Michael Eason v. Marriott International, Inc.

May 2014

James M. Campbell and Michelle I. Schaffer of Campbell Campbell Edwards & Conroy obtained a summary judgment ruling in the United States District Court District of Massachusetts in a matter involving a negligence claim. The plaintiff, Michael Eason, reserved a room at the Boston Marriott Burlington Hotel and upon arrival to his room Mr. Eason…

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Barack et al v. American Honda Motor Co. Inc.

May 2014

James M. Campbell and Michelle I. Schaffer of Campbell Campbell Edwards & Conroy, Boston Massachusetts represented Honda in the case. The name of the case is 3:09-cv-00565-TLM Barack et al v. American Honda Motor Co. Inc. The plaintiffs Ron and Donna Barack brought suit against Honda stemming from a single vehicle accident by Ron Barack…

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Bourke v. Ford Motor Company

January 2007

James M. Campbell and his team secured a defense verdict in a case involving the first ever challenge to the lack of electronic stability systems in the Ford Explorer. It was certainly a tragic case, one in which the 21-year-old driver, a youth minister, lost his life. It was late at night and he and…

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Campbell Conroy & O’Neil Obtains Summary Judgment in Lampron v. Ethicon, Inc. and Johnson & Johnson

James M. Campbell and Eric M. Apjohn recently obtained summary judgment in a legal malpractice claim

CC&O successfully defended Ford Motor Company in a longstanding 13-year dispute

Campbell Conroy & O’Neil Secures Dismissal with Prejudice in Wrongful Death Case

Merck Secures Summary Judgement in NuvaRing Case

Campbell Campbell Edwards & Conroy obtained summary judgment in favor of J&J and Janssen Pharmaceuticals in a Risperdal action

The Supreme Court of New Hampshire Affirms Opinion for American Honda Motor Co.

Ground Contamination by Heating Oil Prompts Claims

Defense of Reglan pattern liability actions

Factual Development Wins Cases

Meticulous Discovery and Physical Reconstruction of Accident Scene Exonerate Summer Camp

Da Silva v. Ford Motor Company

Nowell v. Ford Motor Company

Choi v. Toyota