Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2005 
Jim Swanson was among Fishman Haygood’s founding partners in 1996. He served as the firm’s Managing Partner for 16 years, and he is the current Chair of its board of directors. As a commercial trial lawyer, Jim has particular experience in securities litigation, domestic and international arbitration, environmental litigation, and general commercial matters.
Jim has handled numerous cases in which clients have received multimillion-dollar recoveries. Noteworthy matters include a jury verdict of $26 million against Tennessee Gas, a $26 million arbitration award against Securities America, a $40 million settlement following a full arbitration hearing against a major U.S. investment bank, a $30 million settlement of a case against a major oil refining company, several investment treaty arbitration in the tens of millions of dollars, and a settlement of claims against several major banks that totaled in excess of $1.5 billion shortly before the scheduled trial.
Jim accepts plaintiff and defense engagements. He is currently handling a major international arbitration over an interstate highway construction project in Pakistan, an oil spill case for a major oil company against a pipeline company, the claims by the City of Shreveport against various engineers and contractors, and several significant securities and breach of fiduciary duty cases.
He has served on many community boards, often holding leadership positions, including with Xavier University of Louisiana, Baylor College of Medicine, Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine, Choice Foundation, and Innocence Project New Orleans.
James is tough, smart, well-prepared, articulate, and tenacious, with good common sense.