Jim is a native of northeastern Pennsylvania, graduating Summa Cum Laude from Wyoming Area High School in 1979. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Columbia College in New York City in 1983 with a B.A. in Economics, where was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa and was awarded the first annual Charles F. Hoelzer, Jr. Memorial Scholarship. He was also a Zeta Beta Tau fraternity member, a quarterback on the Columbia University football team for four years and is a member of the Columbia Football Players Club. Mr. Oschal earned his J.D. degree from Cornell Law School in 1986, where he was a Cuccia Cup Moot Court Semifinalist and First Year Moot Court Quarterfinalist.
Following graduation, Jim practiced law with Rogers & Wells in New York City where he worked primarily on complex federal litigation matters. He returned home to northeastern Pennsylvania in 1989 to join Rosenn, Jenkins & Greenwald, where he has been representing numerous clients on a wide variety of state and federal litigation matters ever since. He is admitted to practice in the federal and state courts in Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey and in the United States Supreme Court. Jim currently serves as Chair of the Firm’s Civil Rights Practice Group and as Co-Chair of the Federal Practice Committee for the Luzerne County Law and Library Association.
Jim and his wife Janet reside in Shavertown with their children, Krysti, Jimmy and Lauren.
Presentations/Publications
•Moderator of the Civil Practice portion of a seminar “Nuts and Bolts of Local Federal Practice” - presented by the Wilkes-Barre Law and Library Association on October 8, 2021
•“Employment Law Issues” - presented at a Solicitor Seminar on June 11, 2009 in Wilkes-Barre, PA
•“Employment Litigation Considerations” - presented at a Seminar sponsored by the Society of Human Resource Managers on October 24, 2008.
Honors
Lawyer’s Advisory Committee, Judicial Conference for the Third Circuit of Pennsylvania
AV Peer Review Rating by Martindale-Hubbell - This rating attests to a lawyer’s legal ability and professional ethics, and reflects the confidential opinions of members of the Bar and Judiciary. The AV rating is a testament to the fact that a lawyer’s peers rank him at the highest level of professional excellence for those practicing law for more than 10 years.
Personal Interests
•Piano
•Sports
Reviews
“Jim Oschal is an outstanding trial attorney and member of the legal community. Jim is an individual of high moral character and integrity. He has provided effective legal counsel to various business entities throughout his career and is a valued member of the Rosenn, Jenkins & Greenwald partnership. Jim acts as a mentor to many young attorneys who rely on his legal and business acumen in developing their own legal careers.” -5-star Peer Review of James C. Oschal on Martindale.com
