Arnold & Clifford LLP

3 Best Lawyers awards

Arnold & Clifford LLP logo

Awarded Practice Areas

Bet-the-Company Litigation Commercial Litigation Litigation - Intellectual Property Litigation - Securities Litigation - Trusts and Estates Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs
*Named the "Lawyer of the Year" in this practice area in the 2026 edition in Columbus, OH.

Biography

James E. Arnold is recognized as one of Ohio's top trial lawyers. He was recognized by Best Lawyers as Central Ohio's "Securities Litigation Lawyer of the Year" in 2012, as the "Bet-The-Company Litigation Lawyer of the Year" in 2013, and as the "Intellectual Property Litigation Lawyer of the Year" in 2014. Since 2001 he has consistently been recognized by Best Lawyers in multiple fields, including bet-the-company, personal injury (plaintiffs and defense), commercial, intellectual property and securities litigation.

In 2012 and 2014 Mr. Arnold was selected by Ohio Super Lawyers as the top rated lawyer in the state. He has been honored by Ohio Super Lawyers for the last 10 consecutive years, always in the top 10.

Mr. Arnold was inducted as a fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers in 2005. Induction is by invitation only and is limited to the top 1% of trial lawyers of any state. In 2016 he was inducted as a fellow in the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, whose ranks are limited to the top 500 lawyers in the country below the age of 70.
Arnold & Clifford LLP

3 Best Lawyers awards

Arnold & Clifford LLP logo

Overview

  • Capital University, J.D., graduated 1987
  • The Ohio State University, Bus. Adm., graduated 1979

  • Ohio, Ohio
  • Ohio, U.S. District Court Southern District of Ohio
  • Ohio, U.S. District Court Northern District of Ohio
  • Ohio, U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit
  • Ohio, U.S. Supreme Court

  • International Academy of Trial Lawyers - Fellow
  • American College of Trial Lawyers - Fellow
  • Columbus Bar Association - Member
  • Columbus Bar Foundation - Trustee
  • Ohio State Bar Association - Member
  • Ohio Superlawyers - Ohio’s Top Lawyers
  • Ohio, Ohio
  • Ohio, U.S. District Court Southern District of Ohio
  • Ohio, U.S. District Court Northern District of Ohio
  • Ohio, U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit
  • Ohio, U.S. Supreme Court
  • International Academy of Trial Lawyers - Fellow
  • American College of Trial Lawyers - Fellow
  • Columbus Bar Association - Member
  • Columbus Bar Foundation - Trustee
  • Ohio State Bar Association - Member
  • Ohio Superlawyers - Ohio’s Top Lawyers
  • Capital University, J.D., graduated 1987
  • The Ohio State University, Bus. Adm., graduated 1979

Client Testimonials

James E. Arnold is a strategic litigator with a proven track record of results for his clients.

Phil Rist (Prosper Business Development)

Worthington, OH

I have found that the James E. Arnold firm always makes you feel good that they are your attorney for their professional approach to the practice of the law. They are not looking to sue but resolve disputes in an orderly fashion. Their approach combined with their skills makes for a cost-effective legal representation.

I have worked very closely with Jim Arnold for many years on a number of different legal issues and have found him to be knowledgeable, experienced, and dependable in all areas of his practice. He has the skills to communicate complex legal matters in layman's terms and he understands the importance of relating to his clients on their level. Jim is easy to work with, always prepared, and spends long hours trying to get at the center of all of the issues pertaining to each case. I have recommended Mr. Arnold to many of my business associates. I have full confidence that he is one of the best in his field.

Scott Johnson (Basic Media Group)

Columbus, OH

Jim Arnold is an excellent attorney. Shortly after I moved our family from Florida to Ohio, my wife was the victim of an auto accident during which she broke her wrist. Still with boxes to unpack and two children in diapers, it was a difficult time for us, to say the least. With the insurance company forcing delay after delay, I enlisted Jim, who came highly recommended, to help us. Not only did we receive a settlement expeditiously, it was also far more than we anticipated. Jim Arnold brings results. That was more than 11 years ago. Today, I employ Jim to collect challenging and sensitive delinquent accounts for us. Jim collected one account that had been written off for more than two years. It was an account that, frankly, I thought we'd never see a penny from. Jim collected a significant percentage of the account, which greatly surprised me. Jim is not only a rare attorney, but a rare business person and human being as well. He embodies the traits of intelligence, common sense, diligence, honesty, insight, integrity, thoroughness, humanity, and humor. Yes, Jim's even a fun guy to be around! Jim has been far more than an attorney and friend to me, my business, and my family. He is a wonderful confidant, mentor, and coach. I would never hesitate to recommend Jim to anyone. He's great - and a tremendous credit to the legal profession. I'm honored to have Jim Arnold as my attorney and friend, and I greatly appreciate having the opportunity to tell you about him. I know Jim would be humbled by being recognized with this honor. You ought to know, though, that honoring an attorney of Jim's caliber raises the esteem of your award.

Don DePerro (Columbus Business First)

Columbus, OH

Jim is an excellent litigator because he makes sure that he understands all of the strengths and weaknesses of your case and then he prepares harder and more thoroughly than anyone I have seen so that he is ready for all the unpredictable turns that litigation inevitably takes. Additionally, Jim is a person that I enjoy doing business with. When you combine talent and personality with hard work and ethics, you have a winning combination - and that is what I found in Jim. Needless to say, I would hire Jim again in a heartbeat.

Pat Gilligan (Gilligan Oil Company)

Awards & Focus

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2026 - Bet-the-Company Litigation Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Bet-the-Company Litigation Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2021 - Bet-the-Company Litigation Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2016 - Bet-the-Company Litigation Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2014 - Litigation - Intellectual Property Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2013 - Bet-the-Company Litigation Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2012 - Litigation - Securities
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Bet-the-Company Litigation, Columbus, OH (2026)
  • Bet-the-Company Litigation, Columbus, OH (2024)
  • Bet-the-Company Litigation, Columbus, OH (2021)
  • Bet-the-Company Litigation, Columbus, OH (2016)
  • Litigation - Intellectual Property, Columbus, OH (2014)
  • Bet-the-Company Litigation, Columbus, OH (2013)
  • Litigation - Securities, Columbus, OH (2012)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
  • Bet-the-Company Litigation
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Litigation - Intellectual Property
  • Litigation - Securities
  • Litigation - Trusts and Estates
  • Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants
  • Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs
Additional Areas of Practice:
  • Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
  • Corporate Law
  • Gaming Law
  • Personal Injury Litigation
  • Trusts and Estates
Special Focus:
  • Aviation Litigation
  • Brain Injury
  • Business Disputes
  • Catastrophic Injury
  • Civil Fraud
  • Civil Litigation
  • Commercial Disputes
  • Complex Litigation
  • Large Case Litigation
  • Mass Tort
  • Medical Malpractice
  • Plaintiffs' Class Action
  • Product Liability
  • Professional Malpractice
  • Trade Secrets
  • Wrongful Death
Awards:
  • The Best Lawyers in America (Commercial Litigation and Personal Injury Litigation)
  • Best in the U.S. (Commercial Litigation and Personal Injury Litigation)
  • 500 Leading Plaintiffs’ Lawyers in America
  • AV 5.0 Preeminent rating Martindale Hubble
  • Top 10: 2017 Ohio Super Lawyers
  • Top 5: 2017 Columbus Super Lawyers
  • Ohio Super Lawyers Top lists 2000-2018
  • Best Lawyers 2006-2018
  • Columbus’ Top 10 Lawyers

Case History

Cases
  • Prosper Business Development v. Marketstar
Prosper Business Development entered in a business development agreement with Marketstar, which included a "non-circumvent" provision. Marketstar then circumvented Prosper and developed a business relationship with a client introduced to it by Prosper. Prosper sued for damages, and was awarded $4,750,000 after a week long arbitration.

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