James J. Cramer is a principal in the firm, having practiced with the firm since 1987, specializing in trial work and litigation with emphasis in employment law, insurance defense, product liability, insurance coverage and trademark infringement law.
Jim is a lifelong Johnson County resident, having graduated from Shawnee Mission East High School in 1980. Jim obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration, with highest distinction, from the University of Kansas in 1984. As an undergraduate, Jim served as Vice President of the Student Body, President of the Student Senate and received the Hilltopper Award and the Class of 1913 Award as Outstanding Senior Male.
Jim received his Juris Doctorate from Southern Methodist University School of Law in Dallas, Texas, where he was a Hatton W. Sumners Scholar and Editor-in-Chief of the law review.
Jim’s employment law experience includes successfully prosecuting and defending claims involving sexual harassment, race discrimination, age discrimination, and disability discrimination, and his insurance defense experience includes extensive trial work for both national and international insurers.
Jim’s product liability experience includes defending a multi-death carbon monoxide case, defending multiple drug liability claims, and defending international manufacturers in jury trials arising from fires allegedly caused by consumer products. Jim’s trial and appellate experience in insurance coverage cases include landmark decisions concerning issues under homeowner’s policies and coverage for sexual discrimination and harassment claims.
Jim is a former member of the Board of Directors of the Johnson County Bar Foundation, a graduate of Leadership Overland Park, and a recipient of the “Boss of the Year” Award from the Johnson County Legal Secretaries Association. He is an active lecturer on various legal topics before civic groups, insurers, and other lawyers attending legal education programs.
Associations / Memberships
• Johnson County Bar Association
• Kansas Bar Association
• The Missouri Bar
