James Earl
Senior Associate
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Phone: +1 512 277 2258
- Duane Morris LLP
Terrace 7
2801 Via Fortuna, Suite 200
Austin, TX 78746-7567
USA
James Earl is a trial lawyer in Duane Morris’ Trial Practice Group. His practice focuses on complex commercial litigation arising in the energy, construction, and healthcare industries. Mr. Earl’s practice routinely involves representing clients in the energy industry before state agencies, as well as in court and arbitration. Within the construction industry, Mr. Earl represents owners, construction companies, and varying entities (including architects, engineers, and contractors), in disputes arising during contract drafting, negotiation, and litigation. Within the healthcare industry, Mr. Earl represents healthcare providers in various levels of disputes and compliance matters. Mr. Earl also represents individuals in pro-bono matters across the country.
Mr. Earl has represented clients in both state and federal courts in Texas, leading to favorable verdicts after bench and jury trials. Mr. Earl regularly deals with claims of breach of contract, negligence, fraud, statutory violations, defamation, business disparagement, and breach of fiduciary duty. Mr. Earl has experience examining fact and expert witnesses at depositions, as well as arguing motions in court. Mr. Earl’s goal in advocating for clients is to explain complex issues using simple relatable themes, and to use those themes to persuade the decision maker that his client’s position is the right one.
Mr. Earl is a 2017 graduate of the University of Texas School of Law and a graduate of Hunter College in New York City, where he received his Bachelor’s degree in economics and English. While in law school, Mr. Earl was a member of the Interscholastic Mock Trial Team, admitted to the Order of the Barristers, and received a commendation from the International Association of Trial Lawyers. Mr. Earl was an associate editor for the Texas Review of Litigation.
Mr. Earl coaches UT’s Interscholastic Mock Trial Team, in an effort to foster the growth of Texas law students into effective trial lawyers.
Areas of Practice
- Litigation
- Energy
- Construction & Engineering
- Healthcare
- Complex Commercial Disputes
- Renewable Energy
- Insurance
Admissions
- Texas
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas
Education
- University of Texas School of Law, J.D., 2017
- Hunter College, B.A., 2011
Experience
- Duane Morris LLP
- Senior Associate, 2025-present
- Associate, 2019-2024 - Thompson, Coe, Cousins & Irons
- Associate, 2017-2019
Civic and Charitable Activities
University of Texas School of Law Mock Trial Coach
Representative Matters
Acted as second chair in a multi-million dollar arbitration involving an EPC contract dispute over the construction of a large steel plant; conducted cross-examinations of multiple expert witnesses.
Secured summary judgment for a national engineering firm in a dispute with a publicly traded construction company, arising from payment disputes and negligence claims related to the largest civil infrastructure project in Arizona’s history.
Served as second chair at trial for a healthcare REIT in a fraud and misrepresentation case against the seller/developer of nursing home properties, concerning undisclosed construction defects.
Defended a construction firm against owner claims of systemic corrosion affecting high-end brass fixtures in a luxury skyrise development.
Advised and represented clients in lien foreclosure actions and lien release negotiations.
Represented a regional hospital system in multi-million dollar reimbursement disputes with major insurers involving laboratory service billing.
Represented an independent laboratory in litigation against insurers involving breach of contract, defamation, and business disparagement claims.
- Represented an independent laboratory and hospital asserting contractual and defamation-based claims against an insurer, while defending against fraud and RICO allegations.
Represented a podiatry provider group in an arbitration with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona regarding reimbursement disputes.
Counseled clients in connection with medical practice acquisitions, including analysis of corporate practice of medicine laws and regulatory structuring.
Represented Chevron Energy Solutions in an arbitration concerning an energy savings performance contract with a major educational institution.
Represented a national energy retailer in expedited challenges to a New York Public Service Commission Order, including preparations for constitutional challenges and parallel appellate litigation.
Defended Vivint Inc. before various state agencies and licensing boards regarding regulatory compliance and consumer complaint matters.
Represented energy retailers in disputes with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities and the Public Utility Commission of Texas involving billing practices, service disruption investigations, and COVID-19 regulatory proceedings.
Obtained dismissal with prejudice of consumer claims brought against a commercial printer manufacturer.
Achieved dismissal of trade secret claims against a Community Development Financial Institution in litigation involving public housing development projects.
Defended corporation in multiple consumer litigations addressing FCRA, FDCPA, and related state statute claims.
Acted as second chair in a federal bench trial, representing a parent in an international child abduction case pro bono, conducting key witness examinations, delivering closing arguments, and securing a successful result.