James Ralph Brown

James Brown Biography James R. Brown, a Shareholder in Wicker Smiths Tampa office, has been with the firm for over 45 years. Since he started as an associate in the Miami office in 1976, he has been an integral part of the firms growth throughout the years, helping to open the West Palm Beach office in 1984 and finally settling in the Tampa office in 2003. Jim is a talented trial lawyer. He has served as lead counsel in over 120 jury trials dealing with a variety of matters in the areas of general liability, products liability, motor vehicle accidents, and construction litigation. Jim regularly manages complex claims involving catastrophic injury, dismemberment, disfigurement, and death. These cases are often emotionally charged, yet Jim excels in navigating these complexities, ensuring a favorable resolution for his client while maintaining a sensitivity and respect for all parties. Throughout his career, Jim has defended claims involving of a variety of products, including sliding automatic doors, gas tanks, seatbelts, commercial restaurant equipment, medical device implants, and chemical exposure. Jim makes every effort to conduct a thorough analyzation of the case at the outset, so he can provide an accurate picture to the client of the liability and potential damages. He understands that cost and efficiency are always important factors in the defense of a claim, and Jim is skilled at determining which cases should be tried and which ones should be resolved early, with the ultimate goal always being a satisfactory resolution for the client. Among his professional affiliations, Jim is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, an invitation only group of trial attorneys. He is also an active member in the Hillsborough County Bar Association, Defense Research Institute, and the Florida Defense Lawyers Association. His success as a litigator has earned him an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest rating award by that organization. Professional & Civic Affiliations The Florida Bar Hillsborough County Bar Association Defense Research Institute American Board of Trial Advocates Florida Defense Lawyers Association