JAMES S. NOWAK is the head of the firm's Toxic Tort Litigation Practice Group, concentrating on the defense of toxic tort and mass tort claims.

He graduated from the University of Dayton School of Law in 1991 and the University of Dayton School of Engineering in 1988 with a degree in Electrical Engineering. The combination of Engineering and Law degrees makes Jim uniquely qualified to handle litigation involving complex technical issues.

In addition to defending individual and mass toxic tort claims, he acts as National and Regional Coordinating Counsel for several clients involved in such litigation. In that role, Jim works directly with the client and insurance carriers in the development of national defense strategies and case management systems, including medical defenses, product testing reports, coordination of discovery responses and the preparation of expert witnesses. He has represented clients in lawsuits commenced in both State and Federal courts throughout New York.

Jim has represented companies such as Carborundum, BP Amoco, Ford Motor Company, Allegheny Teledyne, CBS Corporation and Westinghouse Electric Corporation. His experience includes representing clients from the inception of the lawsuit through discovery, trial and appeal, if necessary. Jim has experience in toxic tort litigation, including asbestos, chemical exposure, welding rod exposure and landfill exposures.

He co-authored the article Economic Loss Rule: Forseeability-Dialogue of the 90's, Federation of Insurance & Corporation Counsel, Fall 1994. In addition, Jim also handles matters involving product liability, premises liability and patent infringement.

He is admitted to practice in New York, the United States District Courts for the Western and Northern Districts of New York, and the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Jim and his wife Melissa have two girls that keep them constantly on the go, spending time together at many of Western New York's wonderful attractions, like the Buffalo Zoo, Niagara Falls Aquarium, Buffalo Museum of Science and the waterfront.

In addition, Jim is a wine enthusiast and maintains a wine cellar at his home, where he is assembling a collection of fine California Cabernet Sauvignons and Vintage Ports.