James McGinnis is a member of the Antitrust and Competition Practice Group in the firm's San Francisco office. James was formerly an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern and Central Districts of California, serving in the Criminal Division from 1984-1988.
James specializes in complex litigation and white collar criminal matters with a focus on antitrust issues, often in the international arena. His complex litigation experience also includes parallel criminal/civil cases, class actions, securities, mass tort matters, and managing the national defense of 100's of product liability cases. In addition, He regularly conducts internal investigations and compliance reviews. He serves as U.S. national counsel directing the defense of criminal and civil litigation for leading international businesses in a wide variety of industries. Recognized by Chambers & Partners and Best Lawyers in America, James often has been selected by his peers and the courts as defense liaison counsel in complex multi-district class action litigation.
James is an accomplished trial lawyer and has extensive first chair jury trial experience in complex civil and criminal matters and major mass tort cases. He has been selected to be lead trial counsel in four major cases for Samsung Electronics Corporation or Samsung SDI. In over 35 years of practice, James has tried 40 cases, 22 of which were trials in state or federal court. Chambers USA 2015 noted that "peers praise his abilities as a trial lawyer, highlighting that he is 'very good at handling complex antitrust issues in a courtroom.'" Chambers USA 2016 described him as "a superb lawyer in terms of class action defense," and noted that he is "a terrific strategist with great litigation judgment." He was described by a client in Chambers 2018 as "a terrific advocate," recognized for his mastery of government investigations, especially in relation to antitrust statute violations in both civil and criminal litigation.
He has defended corporations and individuals in criminal cases and grand jury matters involving alleged price-fixing and other anti-competitive conduct, insider trading, government fraud and defense contracting fraud, and environmental violations, among other matters.
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