Biography: James R. Schwebel

In 1974, Jim founded what is now Minnesota’s largest law practice specializing in personal injury litigation.  Today, he and his partners lead a team of 19 attorneys and over 45 employees who are committed to achieving fair and swift compensation for their clients.

Jim was named “Minneapolis Best Lawyers Personal Injury Litigator of the Year” for 2014 by Best Lawyers in America, a distinction he also held in 2011.  He has been recognized in Minnesota Law and Politics as one of the “Top Three Personal Injury Attorneys” and was also acknowledged by the same publication as one of “The 100 Most Influential Attorneys in Minnesota History.”  From 1989 to present, Jim has been selected for inclusion in the The Best Lawyers in America.  Minneapolis/St Paul Magazine acknowledged him as one of Minnesota’s “Top 10 Super Lawyers.”  The same acknowledgement was received from the The National Law Journal when listing “Minnesota’s Top Ten Litigators.”

After two years of litigation, Jim received multi-million dollar settlements for the victims of the I-35W Bridge Collapse Minneapolis, the MGM Hotel fire in Las Vegas and the Williams Pipeline explosion in Roseville. In addition, he was appointed by the Court as a member of the Plaintiff’s Liability Committee to handle claims for many Minnesotans who lost family members in the Galaxy Airlines crash in Reno, Nevada.  In a 2002 jury trial he received the highest award ever handed down for the wrongful death of a young man.  Jim also received record post-trial settlements for victims of the Nicollet Mall Hollidazzle Crash.

Jim was one of the first attorneys in Minnesota to be certified as a Civil Trial Specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy.  He was also chosen for membership on the American Board of Trial Advocates.  Jim was appointed by the Minnesota Supreme Court to serve on the Board of Professional Responsibility and on the Board of Law Examiners.