James B. Sharp

James Sharp is a highly regarded trial lawyer with more than 40 years of experience and a stellar reputation for integrity and skill in the courtroom. Throughout the course of his distinguished career, Jim has handled complex matters for his clients through all phases of litigation and appeal, particularly in the area of medical malpractice, in which he has conducted more than 250 trials from jury selection through verdict. In addition, Jim recently prevailed in a high-visibility medical malpractice case in a New Jersey Supreme Court decision. Known for his ability to port his exceptional trial skills to a broad spectrum of matters, Jim is a sought-after adviser and resource to colleagues in other areas of the law.

Jim also has extensive experience representing corporate and individual clients in sophisticated litigation and in high-risk cases having extraordinary potential verdict value. He lectures for various educational, professional and business entities on litigation preparation and trial practice. In addition, Jim has recognized expertise in professional liability, insurance defense, insurance coverage and appellate matters.

Prior to joining Wilson Elser, Jim was a partner with Schenck Price Smith & King and a member of that firm’s Professional Liability practice. Earlier, Jim was the senior and founding partner of Sharp & Mahoney, a firm with a concentration in medical malpractice defense litigation, and subsequently, the chair of the Professional Liability and Health Care Department at a Northern New Jersey firm. He began his career as legal assistant to the director of the New Jersey Alcoholic Beverage Control.