O'Connell, John James (Jim) Jr.

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Updated 8/27/2008

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Smith, Schroeder & O'Connell

125 East Trinity Place
Suite 300

Decatur, GA 30030-3360

Phone: (888) 524-3986 / (404) 418-8353

Fax: (404) 371-9267

Contact Us / Contact Us


Summary

Lawyer Overview

Areas of Practice:

John James (Jim) O'Connell, Jr. has been an attorney since 1985, has been practicing in the Atlanta area since 1992, and practices in the following areas:

Litigation, Trial, Appeals, Divorce and Family Law, Criminal Law, Criminal Law - Federal, DUI Law, Plaintiff's Personal Injury, Plaintiff's Wrongful Death, Plaintiff's Automobile Accident Law, Plaintiff's Tort Law, including General Negligence, Intentional Torts, including Assault and Battery, Nuisance, Trespass and Water Invasion Claims, Premises Liability, including slip and fall and inadequate security cases, Defamation such as Slander and Libel, Violations of the Right to Privacy (Invasion of Privacy), Medical Malpractice, Punitive Damages, General Civil Litigation, Insurance Law, Business and Commercial Law, Business Organizations, Contracts, and Landlord and Tenant Law.

Bar Admissions:

Mr. O'Connell has been admitted in the following jurisdictions and to the following Courts:

Jurisdictions: Georgia, 1992, Montana, 1985.

Courts: U.S. District Court Northern District of Georgia, 1992, U.S. Court of Appeals 11th Circuit, 1992, U.S. District Court Northern District of California, 1987, U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit, 1987, U.S. District Court District of Arizona, 1991, U.S. Tax Court, 1988.

Education:

Mr. O'Connell received his law degree and undergraduate degree at the following:

Law Degree: Western State University College of Law (now known as Thomas Jefferson School of Law), San Diego, California, 1982, Juris Doctor.

Undergraduate Degree: University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, 1979, Bachelor of Arts, Major - Political Science (Pre-Law).

Mr. O'Connell has also attained the following:

Special Teaching Certificate: Law, State Board of Directors and Community Colleges, State of Arizona, 1993-1995.

Adjunct Faculty, Community College System, State of Arizona, 1993.

Professional Associations and Memberships:

Mr. O'Connell is a member of the following:

State Bar of Georgia, State Bar of Montana, American Bar Association, American Association for Justice, Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, DeKalb Bar Association, Thomas Jefferson School of Law Alumni Association, University of Arizona Alumni Association.

Honors and Awards:

Mr. O'Connell has been awarded the following honors and awards:

Who's Who in American Law, Marquis, Millennium Edition, 2000-2001.

Who's Who, Strathmore's, Millennium Edition, 2000-2001.

Other Professional Activities - Mock Trial Competitions:

Mr. O'Connell has been a presiding judge at the 2006 Atlanta Regional American Association for Justice Student Trial Advocacy Competition. The competition is a Mock Trial Competition that involves law students and law schools throughout the country.

Sponsorships:

Mr. O'Connell is a sponsor of the Annual Bench and Bar Dinner In Honor of the Members of the DeKalb County Judiciary Hosted by the DeKalb County Bar Association.

Mr. O'Connell has also been a sponsor of other organizations, including but not limited to the Georgia State Troopers Association.

Personal Information:

Mr. O'Connell was born on November 13, 1957 in Winterpark, Florida.

Excerpt from an interview with Mr. O'Connell:

" . . . one of the most important things to me, as a lawyer, is the fact that I can help people. . . . And my clients really appreciate the fact that I work hard for them, no matter what the cause or matter, I fight hard for them . . . and speak for them in court . . . I tell their story . . . and they really appreciate that."

Areas of Practice

  • Personal Injury, Automobile Collisions, and Tort Law
  • Civil Litigation
  • Divorce and Family Law
  • Criminal Law - Criminal Defense
  • Trial Practice
  • Appeals and Appellate Practice
  • Landlord - Tenant
  • Corporate and Business
90% of Practice Devoted to Litigation

Representative Cases

West Practice Categories

Administrative Law, Administrative Hearings & Adjudication, Business & Commercial Law, Commercial Leasing, Contracts, Joint Ventures, Business Organizations, Closely Held Businesses, Corporate Governance, Directors' & Officers' Liability, Dissolution, Formation & Business Planning, Limited Liability Companies, Partnerships, Criminal Law, Criminal Fraud, DUI/DWI, Drug Violations, Federal, Felonies, Juvenile Crimes, Misdemeanor, Parole & Probation, Sex Offenses, Traffic Violations, White Collar Crimes, Family Law, Alimony & Spousal Support, Child Support, Custody & Visitation, Divorce, Domestic Violence & Neglect, Juvenile Law, Paternity, Prenuptial Agreements, Insurance Law, Motor Vehicle, Litigation & Appeals, Complex Litigation, Federal Appellate Practice, Federal Trial Practice, State Appellate Practice, State Trial Practice, Personal Injury -- Plaintiff, Animal Bites -- Plaintiff, Assault & Battery -- Plaintiff, Aviation Accidents -- Plaintiff, Defamation & Privacy -- Plaintiff, Motor Vehicle Accidents -- Plaintiff, Premises Liability -- Plaintiff, Property Damage -- Plaintiff, Railroad Accidents -- Plaintiff, Slip and Fall -- Plaintiff, Wrongful Death -- Plaintiff, Real Estate Law, Landlord/Tenant, Workers' Compensation Law

Qualifications

Bar Admissions

  • Georgia, 1992
  • Montana, 1985
  • U.S. District Court Northern District of Georgia, 1992
  • U.S. District Court Northern District of California, 1987
  • U.S. District Court District of Arizona, 1991
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 11th Circuit, 1992
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit, 1987
  • U.S. Tax Court, 1988

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • State Bar of Georgia (Member)
  • State Bar of Montana (Member)
  • American Bar Association, 1985 - Present (Member)
  • American Association for Justice, 1992 - Present (Member)
  • Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, 1992 - Present (Member)
  • DeKalb Bar Association, 1997 - Present (Member)
  • Thomas Jefferson School of Law Alumni Association, 1983 - Present (Member)
  • University of Arizona Alumni Association, 1979 - Present (Member)

Honors and Awards

  • Who's Who in American Law, Marquis, Millennium Edition, 2000 - 2001
  • Who's Who, Strathmore's, Millennium Edition, 2000 - 2001

Classes and Seminars

  • Adjunct Faculty, Community College System, State of Arizona, 1993

Education

  • Western State University College of Law, San Diego, California, 1982
    J.D.
  • University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, 1979
    B.A.
    Major: Political Science (Pre-law)

Fraternities/Sororities

  • Nu Beta Epsilon

Office Information

Address

125 East Trinity Place
Suite 300
Decatur, GA 30030-3360

Office Hours

Monday - Friday 9:00 am to 5:30 pm, EST, weekday evening hours by appointment

Phones

(888) 524-3986
(404) 418-8353

Faxes

(404) 371-9267

Emails

Contact Us
Contact Us

Websites

http://www.ssolaw.com

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