James "Jim" Warren Amberg - Southfield, MI
Attorney at Dickstein & Amberg, P.L.L.C.
Criminal Defense Lawyers in Southfield, MI
3000 Town Center Suite 1330 Southfield, MI 48075
- Free Consultation
- 1 Super Lawyers®
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21
Years
Experience
Oakland County Criminal Defense Lawyer
Updated: 10/22/2026
Areas of Practice
- Criminal Defense
- Federal Criminal Defense
- State Criminal Defense
- Felony Defense
- Federal Conspiracy and Racketeering (RICO)
- Healthcare Fraud
- Drug Trafficking and Drug Conspiracy
- White-Collar Crime
- Firearms Offenses
- Violent Crimes
- DUI/DWI and OWI Defense
- Appeals
Attorney Information
Overview
James “Jim” Amberg is a veteran criminal defense trial attorney who focuses his practice on complex federal prosecutions and serious felony cases. Since 2005, Jim has defended clients in high-stakes criminal cases involving federal conspiracy and racketeering charges, healthcare fraud, drug trafficking, white-collar crimes, firearms offenses, violent crimes, and other major felony allegations.
Jim has extensive jury trial experience in both state and federal courts. He has secured acquittals and dismissals in complex cases involving federal kidnapping conspiracy, wire fraud, drug conspiracy, firearms charges, and other serious offenses. He has also handled lengthy federal RICO and conspiracy trials involving substantial discovery, electronic evidence, cooperating witnesses, and complicated evidentiary issues.
Jim approaches every case with intensive preparation and investigation. He uses pretrial motions, independent investigation, electronic evidence, and courtroom technology to expose weaknesses in the prosecution’s case and present a clear, persuasive defense at trial. His practice reflects a simple philosophy: prepare every serious case as though a jury will decide it.
Jim earned his undergraduate degree from Eastern Michigan University and his Juris Doctor from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. His professional recognition includes selections by Super Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers, and DBusiness. He is also a graduate of the Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan Trial College.
Awards and Honors
Awards
Honors
- Top 40 Under 40, The National Trial Lawyers, 2012
- Top Lawyers in Michigan, DBusiness, 2011
- Selected to Super Lawyers: 2013 - 2026
- Selected to Rising Stars: 2008 - 2009, 2011 - 2012
- Great Grad, Thomas M. Cooley Law School, 2008
Other Sources of Feedback About James "Jim" Warren Amberg
Included on the 2026 Michigan Super Lawyers list
Past Lists
- 2025 Michigan Super Lawyers list
- 2024 Michigan Super Lawyers list
- 2023 Michigan Super Lawyers list
- 2022 Michigan Super Lawyers list
- 2021 Michigan Super Lawyers list
- 2020 Michigan Super Lawyers list
- 2019 Michigan Super Lawyers list
- 2018 Michigan Super Lawyers list
- 2017 Michigan Super Lawyers list
- 2016 Michigan Super Lawyers list
- 2015 Michigan Super Lawyers list
- 2014 Michigan Super Lawyers list
- 2013 Michigan Super Lawyers list
- 2012 Michigan Super Lawyers list
- 2011 Michigan Super Lawyers list
- 2009 Michigan Super Lawyers list
- 2008 Michigan Super Lawyers list
Education
Legal Education
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Thomas M. Cooley Law School, Lansing, Michigan
Juris Doctor (J.D.)
Non Legal Education
-
Eastern Michigan University
Bachelor's Degree
Current Employment Position(s)
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Partner
Past Positions
- Amberg & Amberg, PLLC, Member
Languages
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English
Classes and Seminars
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Cooley Law School, “How to Be a Lawyer”
- Keynote Speaker, Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan Annual Conference
Representative Cases
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People v. (OWI 3rd Offense), November 8, 2017: Jury returned a not-guilty verdict on an operating while intoxicated third-offense charge.
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People v. (Open Intoxicant), May 4, 2010: Case dismissed following a motion to suppress evidence.
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People of the City of Beverly Hills v. (Possession of Marijuana), May 1, 2009: All charges dismissed following a challenge to an allegedly unlawful search.
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People of the City of Pontiac v. Latsch, March 18, 2009: Client found not responsible for speeding after cross-examination revealed an issue with speedometer certification.
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People v. (DUI and Driving While License Suspended), February 24, 2009: Jury returned a not-guilty verdict.
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Rochester Hills v. Wade, July 31, 2008: OWI charge dismissed after evidence of the client's blood alcohol content was suppressed.
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United States v. Presley: Sentence reduced from 30 years to life to 10 years; the case resulted in a published Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals opinion.
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People v. Vandenberg: Felony resisting-arrest charge dismissed.
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People v. Doung: Client found not guilty of assault with intent to commit great bodily harm less than murder; convicted of the lesser-included offense of simple assault.
Published Works
Articles
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“Circuit Court Opinion of the Month,” Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan publication, 2010
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“Trial Court Successes,” Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan publication, 2010
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“Trial Court Successes – Spring 2009,” Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan publication, 2009
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“Sentencing Law, the Year in Review,” Michigan State Appellate Defender Office, 2009
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“Trial Court Successes – Late Winter 2009,” Michigan State Appellate Defender Office, 2009
- United States v. Presley, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, published opinion
Bar Admissions
- Michigan, 2005
Other Affiliations
- Michigan Association for Justice, 2009 - Present
- Oakland County Bar Association
- State Bar of Michigan
- Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan (CDAM)
- American Bar Association
- Michigan State Appellate Defender Office
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- Federal Bar Association, Eastern District of Michigan Chapter
- Wayne County Criminal Defense Bar Association
- Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan Trial College, Graduate, 2009
Photo
Contact
3000 Town Center
Suite 1330
Southfield, MI 48075
Phone Number: 248-392-2064
Fax Number: 248-357-1371
Email: Send a message
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