Jim Plummer - Houston, TX
Attorney at Raval Trial Law
Disability Claims Lawyers in Houston, TX
1133 Merrill St. Houston, TX 77009
Houston Disability Claims Lawyer
Updated: 04/13/2026
Areas of Practice
- Disability Claims
- ERISA
- Bad Faith Insurance
- Civil Litigation
Attorney Information
Overview
Jim Plummer is Of Counsel with Raval Trial Law. He has been licensed to practice law in Texas since 1974, and has handled litigation affecting the legal of both individuals and businesses for 48 years. While he has handled all types of civil litigation across his extensive career, Jim currently focuses his practice on insurance claims and insurance litigation. In addition to his current work, he has also represented clients in personal injury matters and in business litigation.
The genesis of his insurance litigation practice focus occurred when Jim was hired by a young couple with two small children who had just lost their home in a fire. The insurance company denied their homeowners’ claim based on mere suspicion that they had committed arson and burned down their own home. Jim took their case and won a multimillion-dollar jury verdict – reportedly the third largest verdict in that county at the time. It was discovered that the insurance company had no evidence the homeowners set the fire and the evidence in fact pointed to others with an axe to grind with the homeowners. This trial epitomized the notion that insurance companies too often violate their duty to handle claims fairly and in good faith.
Since then, Jim has prosecuted a number of insurance claims on behalf of individuals and businesses holding the insurer to its duty of good faith and fair dealing, and compelling them to live up to the promises made in the insurance policy. In addition to property and casualty claims, Jim has prosecuted a large number of claims for life insurance, accidental death insurance, and disability insurance benefits under individual policies and group insurance policies governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). The ERISA claims on group insurance policies have also included claims against the employer and insurer for breach of fiduciary duty resulting in a loss to the policyholder or beneficiary.
Jim has successfully resolved insurance disputes against virtually all of the insurance companies selling ERISA governed group insurance policies, including Metropolitan Life Insurance Co., Prudential Insurance Co., Sun Life Assurance Co. of Canada, Hartford Life & Accident Insurance Co., Unum Life Insurance Co. of America, Provident Life & Accident Ins. Co., Lincoln National Insurance Co., Lincoln Financial, Jefferson Pilot Life Insurance Co., Cigna, Life Insurance Company of North America, Liberty Life Assurance Co. of Boston, Paul Revere Life Ins. Co., The Standard Insurance Co., The Principal Life Ins. Co., and Reliance Standard Insurance Co.
Jim has longstanding relationships with many clients, several of which have left him thankful online reviews, including statements such as “Mr. Plummer and his staff make you feel that you are the most important client that they have. They answer and respond to your phone calls promptly. My lawsuit was a disability insurance case against The Hartford. Like all of these cases it seemed to take forever but they were there to keep you going. I won my case and obtained all I legally could ask for. Even after winning the case, I continue to use their services to represent me in all my communications with The Hartford.” Another grateful client said, “Nice words are not enough to describe how pleased I am with this office. If you are looking for the most honest, professional, ethical, and knowledgeable attorney look no further than Mr. Plummer and his associates. They have a special way to make you feel that you’re the most important client they have. They are great listeners and will give you the time and provide you with the most sincere expert advice. They’re very prompt in returning phone calls and answering all your questions. They are truly on your side and they will fight for you. Given the five stars service you get, you would think that Mr. Plummer’s fees are sky high; however, surprisingly, Mr. Plummer’s fees are extremely reasonable and his office is worth every penny, even if they charged me more.”
Jim is licensed to practice in Texas, as well in the United States District Courts for the Southern District of Texas, Northern District of Texas, Eastern District of Texas, and Western District of Texas. He is also admitted to practice before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and the United States Supreme Court. He graduated from Antioch College with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. He obtained his Juris Doctorate from University of Michigan Law School in 1974. In addition to achieving and maintaining a Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rating, he was selected by his peers for inclusion in Texas Super Lawyers from 2019 – 2023. He is a member of the Houston Bar Association and State Bar of Texas as is a Former President of the Houston Lawyers Association and Houston Trial Lawyers Association.
Awards and Honors
Honors
- AV Preeminent Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
- Texas Super Lawyers, 2019 – 2023
Education
-
Legal Education
-
The University of Michigan Law School,
Ann Arbor,
Michigan, 1974
J.D.
-
The University of Michigan Law School,
Ann Arbor,
Michigan, 1974
-
Non Legal Education
-
Antioch College, 1970
B.A.
Major: Political Science
-
Antioch College, 1970
Current Employment Position(s)
-
Of Counsel
Past Positions
- Raval Trial Law, Partner, - February, 2017
- Plummer | Raval, Partner, January, 2015 - January, 2017
- Plummer & Associates (and prior incarnations), Associate, September, 1990 - December, 2014
- Baker Botts, Associate
Classes and Seminars
-
Ethical Considerations in Witness Preparation, Harris County Attorney’s Office CLE, 2011
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Bad Faith Remedies and Alternative Cause of Actions in the 50 States, American Association for Justice Summer Conference, 2007
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The Search for Insurance Coverage in Auto Cases, Automobile Injury Conference, South Texas College of Law, 2006
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UM/UIM, Automobile Injury Conference, South Texas College of Law, 2005
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Advocacy Track II: Bad Faith Insurance Litigation: Definitions, Exclusions, Conditions: The Defense Arsenal, American Association for Justice Winter Convention, 2004
-
UM/UIM, Automobile Injury Conference, South Texas College of Law, 2004
-
Arson – The Plaintiff’s Perspective, IAAI 55 Annual Meeting and Conference, 2004
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Challenging Experts in Insurance Cases: A Practical Perspective, Texas Insurance Law Symposium, South Texas College of Law, 2003
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Masters in Trial: Examination of Plaintiff’s Psychology Expert Direct & Re-Direct, ABOTA, 2003
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Proving Insurance Company Bad Faith: Ten Things I Have Learned Along the Way, American Association for Justice Annual Convention, 2002
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Uninsured Motorists/Stowers Doctrine, Automobile Injury Conference, South Texas College of Law, 2002
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Depositions, American Association for Justice Trial Advocacy College, 2001
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Tactics-Tactics-Tactics: From Voir Dire to Final Argument, Texas Trial Lawyers Association Mid-Year Meeting, 2001
- Handling Difficult Clients, Texas Trial Lawyers Association Mid-Year Meeting, 2001
Pro Bono Activities
- City of Houston Planning & Zoning Commission, Former Member
Published Works
Articles
-
Good Counsel – Deflect Attacks On You In Bad Faith Cases, Trial Magazine, Vol. 41, No. 10, 2005
Bar Admissions
- Texas, 1974
- U.S. District Court Southern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court Western District of Texas
- U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit
- U.S. Supreme Court
Specialties and Certifications
- Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization
Other Affiliations
- State Bar of Texas
- American Board of Trial Advocates, Houston Chapter, Former Member
- American Association of Justice, Former Member
- American Association of Justice, Insurance Law Section, Former Secretary
- American Association of Justice, Bad Faith Litigation Group, Former Secretary
- American Association of Justice, National College of Advocacy, Member, Former Member of Board of Trustees
- Houston Bar Association
- Houston Bar Association, Litigation Section, Former Member
- Houston Bar Association, Former Director
- Houston Bar Association, Speakers Bureau, Former Co-Chair
- Houston Lawyers Association, Former Member
- Houston Lawyers Association, Former President
- Houston Lawyers Association, Board of Directors
- Houston Trial Lawyers Association, Former Member
- Houston Trial Lawyers Association, Former President
- Houston Trial Lawyers Association, Board of Directors, Former Member
- Houston Trial Lawyers Association, Former Treasurer
- Texas Trial Lawyers Association, Former Member
- Texas Trial Lawyers Association, Board of Directors, Former Member
Photo
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