James O. Craven

Jim is a senior counsel in the firm’s Product Liability Litigation Practice. He has represented clients in commercial disputes, product liability claims, complex personal injury matters, the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act (CUTPA), professional malpractice issues, tax appeals, and toxic torts. He also counsels numerous clients on risk mitigation, compliance and business concerns.

In addition, Jim serves and has served in many leadership roles within legal organizations. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Defense Research Institute (DRI) as the Northeast regional director. Jim is a member of the Connecticut Bar Association’s House of Delegates and member of the CBA’s Legislative and Policy Review Committee. He previously served as president of the Connecticut Defense (Civil) Lawyers Association (CDLA) and was chairman of the CDLA Board of Directors. Jim is a board liaison and steering committee member for DRI’s Drug and Medical Device Committee and is a steering committee member and former chair of DRI’s Medical Liability and Health Law meeting. Jim is a former director and past officer of the New Haven County Bar Foundation, a member of the Association of Defense Trial Attorneys, and a former member of the Advisory Board of the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce Leadership Program.

Jim’s thought leadership includes contributing to numerous publications and lectures including presentations at DRI, CBA, NHCBA, and CDLA events. Jim helped to prepare the Connecticut Health Lawyers Association’s “Connecticut Law Update,” contributed to the Connecticut Practice Series treatise “Unfair Trade Practices,” and has regularly been a guest instructor for Quinnipiac Law School’s Product Liability Seminar.

Jim is active in pro bono work and community service. He was the recipient of DRI’s Lifetime Community Service Award, CBA’s Anthony DeMayo Pro Bono Award, and was recognized with the pro bono award at a previous firm. 

Before entering private practice, Jim served in the U.S. Army as a trial counsel in the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, Fourth Infantry Division (Mechanized). As a judge advocate, he received his parachutist badge and was awarded the Army Achievement Medal and Meritorious Service Medal during his military service. 

Jim earned his J.D. cum laude from Case Western Reserve University School of Law, where he was a member of the Case Western Reserve Law Review and Health Matrix: The Journal of Law-Medicine.