About

Its lawyers have been recognized for professional excellence by such organizations as Ohio Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers in America, Lawdragon's Top 500 Plaintiff's Lawyers in America, the American College of Trial Lawyers, and Rising Stars. The firm has won several of the most significant cases in the state of Ohio, including representing the plaintiff in a case that was awarded the largest wrongful death verdict to date in Franklin County. The firm has also obtained one of the highest Consumer Sales Practices Act awards rendered in Ohio, the largest underinsured motorist's case verdict in Franklin County, the second highest jury verdict for an intentional tort case in Franklin County, and what is believed to be the first contested award for advancement of attorney fees under Ohio law – an award of more than $500,000.

The firm's attorneys represent a diverse client base including individual, corporate, and non-profit clients. Business Litigation is the firm's principal focus. They are also experienced in Class Actions, Wrongful Death, Malpractice, Personal Injury, Employment, Insurance Coverage, Health Care, Criminal Defense, White Collar Crime, and Aviation. Seasoned litigators, James E. Arnold & Associates will take select litigation cases in any area when the need arises. Once undertaking a matter, they are absolutely committed to their clients. The firm's lawyers have the skill, experience and passion to achieve success. But most of all, they are dedicated to their clients; putting in the time and effort it takes to get the best possible result.

Recognition

  • SuperLawyers
  • Best Lawyers
  • Martindale
  • Lawdragon
  • Forty Under 40
  • Business First

Case Profiles

America's Floor Source v. Joshua Homes
Represented local businessman Jason Goldberg of America's Floor Source against Eric Schottenstein and Joshua Homes (Schottenstein's building company). At the conclusion of a four day jury trial, $72,759.37 was awarded in favor of America's Floor Source against Joshua Homes, and an additional $120,000 was awarded against Eric Schottenstein, personally. The jury decided that Schottenstein violated the terms of a Consulting Agreement between Schottenstein and America's Floor Source, relieving the company of millions of dollars of payments that it might have otherwise had to pay Schottenstein under that Agreement.
Prosper v. Marketstar
Represented plaintiff in breach of non-circumvent, non-disclosure agreement. Initially received low dollar-figure settlement offer. Five-day arbitration proceeding in Columbus, Ohio, resulting in a $4,750,000 verdict for plaintiff as a result of breach of Confidentiality Agreement. Award based on a percentage of overall value of the information improperly utilized by Marketstar's parent company, Omnicom.
Brookover v. Flexmag Industries, Inc
Co-lead counsel for plaintiff whose hand was amputated in an industrial machine. Two week jury trial resulting in award of $7,482,000, consisting of $4,000,000 compensatory damages, $2,000,000 punitive damages and $1,482,000 of attorneys' fees and prejudgment interest. Highest pretrial settlement offer was $650,000.
Goldsmith v. Lechiara
Medical malpractice wrongful death case, representing plaintiff. Seventeen-day jury trial resulting in plaintiff's verdict of $6,691,420, constituting the largest wrongful death verdict in Franklin County, Ohio history. There was no pretrial settlement offer.
Zanke v. Village Green Management Corp
Represented plaintiff against apartment complex owner and management company for injuries received by tenant who slipped and fell on ice caused by removal of gutters and downspouts during winter renovation project. Three-week jury trial resulted in verdict in favor of plaintiff for $5,156,168, consisting of $4,223,438 compensatory damages and $932,730 for prejudgment interest. Pretrial settlement offer of $60,000.
Borror v. MarineMax of Ohio, Inc
Represented plaintiff against boat dealer alleging claims of violations of the Consumer Sales Practices Act and fraud in connection with the sale of vessel costing approximately $780,000. Boat was sold for $350,000 and, following bench trial, plaintiff obtained highest Consumer Sales Practices Act award rendered in Ohio, consisting of $2,545,369 for fraud, violation of state's consumer protection statute, attorneys' fees and prejudgment interest. Pretrial settlement offer of $35,000.
Griffith v. Wausau Business Ins. Co
Motor vehicle crash, underinsured motorist case, representing plaintiff. Award of $901,046, consisting of jury verdict of $738,046, with an additional $163,000 of prejudgment interest awarded. No pretrial settlement offer.
Shirley K. Barnhart v. Hanlin Rainaldi Construction Corp
Employer intentional tort case, representing plaintiff. Jury trial resulting in verdict of $473,693, representing the second highest jury verdict for an intentional tort case in Franklin County, Ohio as reported by the Columbus Bar Assn.
Borror v. Buckeye Union Ins. Co.
Motor vehicle accident, underinsured motorist case representing plaintiff. Jury trial resulting in verdict of $814,000, representing the largest underinsured motorist's case verdict in Franklin County, OH as reported by the Columbus Bar Assn. (One higher verdict during this time period was reversed on appeal by the Ohio Supreme Court). Post trial motions resulted in a further award of prejudgment interest and attorneys fees.
Value Behavioral Health v. Ohio Dept. of Mental Health
966 F. Supp. 557 (U.S.D.C. S.D. Ohio, 1997), representing intervening party. Claim involved the alleged improper award of a $177,459,000 state contract for the provision of mental health services. Issues included whether or not the federal courts had jurisdiction to enjoin the state from making an award because of the 11th amendment to the United States Constitution, and whether a civil rights action could be maintained under 28 USC 1983. Court ordered the injunction, which order was vacated at the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals when the plaintiff was acquired by the intervenor.
Kingseed v. O'Leary
Medical negligence case representing plaintiff. Jury held in favor of the plaintiff for several hundred thousand dollars. Prejudgment interest was also awarded.
Bench Billboard v. City of Columbus
City of Columbus illegally confiscated hundreds of properly licensed and located bus stop benches, represented plaintiff. Bench trial resulted in City being enjoined from removing any further benches, returning the benches taken and award of damages including attorneys' fees.
Kessel v. Pharmacy Associates, Inc.
Dispute among shareholders involving a buy-sell agreement, representing plaintiff. Jury trial lasted for a week after which the defense conceded liability and settled the case, including payment of a portion of the plaintiff's attorney's fees.
Englehaupt v. Eaton Construction Co., Inc.
Business dispute involving the failed sale of a company, representing plaintiff. Jury trial lasting several days. Jury returned a verdict in favor of the plaintiff and against the defendant.