Paul J. James - a Little Rock, Arkansas (AR) Litigation Lawyer

Little Rock Litigation Lawyer

Updated: 04/03/2026

Areas of Practice

Litigation
Personal Injury
Civil Rights
Products Liability
Negligence
Wrongful Death

Litigation: 40%

Attorney Information

Overview

For over 35 years, the Little Rock attorney Paul James has focused his career in a variety of legal areas. He primarily practices in the areas of litigation, personal injury, civil rights, product liability, negligence, wrongful death, and commercial litigation.

After receiving his Juris Doctor degree in 1982 from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, Mr. James practiced law with former United States Attorney W.H. "Sonny" Dillahunty for four years. He gained valuable experience and training in litigation during this time, which he has continued to build upon throughout the years. Inspired to establish his own law firm, he co-founded this law firm in 1986. Mr. James has maintained his varied litigation practice since the firm's establishment thirty years ago.

Representing individuals who have been injured has always been a primary focus of Paul James' legal career. Personal injury cases that Mr. James has represented have involved numerous catastrophic injuries including traumatic brain injury, paralysis and wrongful death.

Civil Rights is another area of focus in which Mr. James has devoted his efforts. He has taken on lawsuits against government entities to litigate violations of constitutional rights on behalf of both individual and class action plaintiffs.

Another area of emphasis throughout Mr. James' legal career has been commercial litigation. Among his clients have been numerous automobile dealerships and a variety of other businesses. Commercial litigation has frequently involved resolution of contractual disputes.

Paul James belongs to numerous bar associations and professional organizations where he has contributed in a leadership capacity by holding positions on boards of directors and other officer positions. A noteworthy example is his participation as one of the founding members of St. Thomas More Society of Arkansas which was sponsored by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Little Rock and where he served as its President and on the Board of Directors.

Mr. James is AV rated, the highest recognition awarded by Martindale-Hubbell for legal experience, skill, integrity and professional excellence.

Awards and Honors

Super Lawyers® Selectees

Paul J. James included in a Super Lawyers® list

Other Sources of Feedback About Paul J. James

Included on the 2025 Mid-South Super Lawyers list

Past Lists

2024 Mid-South Super Lawyers list
2023 Mid-South Super Lawyers list
2022 Mid-South Super Lawyers list
2021 Mid-South Super Lawyers list
2020 Mid-South Super Lawyers list
2019 Mid-South Super Lawyers list
2018 Mid-South Super Lawyers list
2017 Mid-South Super Lawyers list
2016 Mid-South Super Lawyers list
2015 Mid-South Super Lawyers list
2014 Mid-South Super Lawyers list
2013 Mid-South Super Lawyers list
2012 Mid-South Super Lawyers list
2011 Mid-South Super Lawyers list
2010 Mid-South Super Lawyers list
2009 Mid-South Super Lawyers list

Education

Legal Education
- University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Leflar Law Center, Fayetteville, Arkansas, 1982
Non Legal Education
- University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, 1979
  B.A.

Representative Cases

Smith v. Norris 103 F.3d 637 (8th Cir. 1996)
State of Arkansas v. Pulaski County Circuit Court 326 Ark 886, 934 S.W.2d 915 (1996); aff’d. on reh’q, 327 Ark. 287, 958 S.W.2d 815 (1997)

Bar Admissions

Arkansas, 1983
U.S. District Court Eastern District of Arkansas
U.S. District Court Western District of Arkansas
U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit

Other Affiliations

Pulaski County, Arkansas and American (Member, Litigation Section) Bar Associations
Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association
The Association of Trial Lawyers of America
St. Thomas More Society of Arkansas (President; Board of Directors)
Associate, American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)

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Contact

Little Rock, AR

100 River Bluff Dr.
Suite 420
Little Rock, AR 72202

Directions

Phone: 501-588-3584

Fax: (501) 372-1659

Email: Send a message

Website: https://www.jamescarterlaw.com

Credit Cards Accepted
Free Consultations

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Paul J. James - Little Rock, AR