Association names Thomas among Top 100 trial attorneys in Michigan

James C. Thomas, an Of Counsel attorney with Plunkett Cooney, one of the Midwest’s oldest and largest law firms, was recently named to the American Trial Lawyer Association’s (ATLA) Top 100 Lawyers list for Michigan.

The ATLA is a national organization composed of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers from each state. Membership is obtained through special invitation and is extended only to those attorneys who exemplify superior qualifications, leadership, reputation, influence, stature and profile as civil plaintiff and criminal defense trial lawyers.

Each ATLA member is carefully screened prior to receiving an invitation for membership. The criteria used in the vetting and evaluation process includes, but is not limited to, the attorney’s reputation among peers, the judiciary and the public; the previous year’s achievements and verdicts as a civil or criminal defense trial lawyer; jury verdict and settlement research; board certification as a trial specialist; and nominations from leading trial lawyers, the ATLA Executive Committee, and state and federal judges.

These criteria are applied by a leading University’s Trial Advocacy Program with research assistants performing independent evaluations of each lawyer as part of the selection process.

Thomas, a well-respected criminal defense attorney, joined Plunkett Cooney in 2006 and has more than 30 years of experience practicing criminal defense law in complex federal and state matters. He has successfully defended clients in some of Michigan’s highest profile criminal cases, including corporate executives, politicians and professional athletes. His practice is focused on white-collar criminal defense, and he has successfully represented businesses, hospitals and professionals in such matters.

Thomas is the recipient of numerous awards, including the 2007 Gilman Award presented by the Federal Bar Association, Michigan Chapter to outstanding practitioners in the area of criminal law. He has also received the “Defender of Justice Award” from the National Lawyers Guild and the “Justice for All Award” from the Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan, an organization for which he currently serves as a member of its board of directors.

Established in 1913, Plunkett Cooney employs 150 attorneys in nine Michigan cities, Columbus, Ohio and Indianapolis, Indiana. The firm has achieved the highest rating (AV) awarded by Martindale-Hubbell, a leading, international directory of law firms.

For more information regarding James C. Thomas’ nomination to the ATLA Top 100 Lawyers list, contact the firm’s Practice Development Manager, John Cornwell, at (248) 901-4008.

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