James F. Graves

Jim Graves has enjoyed a successful career dedicated to protecting and representing the people of Michigan and Illinois in various personal injury and wrongful death matters. He is a seasoned and highly-respected advocate who works diligently to ensure his clients’ rights to adequate care and compensation for their injuries.

As a personal injury attorney, Jim’s portfolio of success is one of the most widely varied in the industry, from complex aviation wrongful death claims to representing victims of the largest campus sexual assault case in history, to name a few.

Jim is also a foremost thought-leader on Michigan’s complex auto no-fault insurance, and as such, handles many cases involving accident between motor vehicles, semi-trucks, and motorcycles. With a calm and approachable demeanor, coupled with many years of experience and thorough understanding of the law, Jim is a valuable member of the Sinas Dramis personal injury team and trusted partner to his clients.

In addition to his legal practice, Jim has taught aviation law as an adjunct professor at Western Michigan University Cooley Law School and has helped educate law students on the ins-and-outs of pre-trial practice.

Jim enjoys fly fishing and travel and has enjoyed the truly unique experience of camping in Antarctica.

Jim Graves’ Most Noteworthy Wrongful Death and Personal Injury Cases

• • MSU/Nassar sexual abuse case
  • Assisted in reaching a $500 million global settlement on behalf of Sister Survivors
  • American Airlines crash at O’Hare
  • Pan Am 103 terrorist bombing
  • CART FedEx crash at Michigan International Speedway
  • Mid-Michigan police shooting death of a motorist during a traffic stop
  • Sexual assault of a tenant in a Chicago apartment building
  • Shooting of a vacationer at a Caribbean condo rental property
  • Dalkon Shield IUD product liability case
  • Flint water case

Practice Areas

personal injury, auto accidents, sexual assault, airplane accidents, motorcycle accidents, semi-truck accidents, wrongful death

Professional Associations

Michigan Association for Justice – Sustaining Member
Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
Coalition Protecting Auto No-Fault (CPAN)
Ingham County Bar Association – Past President
Ingham County Bar Foundation – Fellow, Board Member, and Past President
Michigan State Bar Judicial Qualifications Committee
American Board of Trial Advocates
John D. Voelker Foundation – Board Member
State Bar of Michigan
State Bar of Illinois
Federal Court Bar – Michigan, Illinois

Publications

“Toxic Exposure Injuries and Deaths,” ICLE Michigan Causes of Action Formbook, 2009

Speaking Engagements

Unique Aspects of Personal Injury Cases – “WLAJ In the Name of the Law“, 2019
Sharing the Road with Semi-Trucks – “Fox 47 Morning Blend“, 2017
Highway Liability Claims – No-Fault Institute, 2006
Accident Reconstruction Experts – No-Fault Institute, 2003
Third-Party Auto Negligence – Auto Insurance Law and Accident Litigation (conference), 1999
Governmental Immunity – MTLA new Lawyers Section Workshop, 1997
How to File a Case in the Court of Claims – ICBA Lecture Series, 1997

Awards & Recognition

AV Preeminent Rating, Martindale-Hubbell — every year since 1997
Michigan Super Lawyer — every year since 2006
Best Lawyers in America — Plaintiffs’ Personal Injury Litigation,  every year since 2006
Leading Lawyers —  Peer Selected – every year since 2013
Leader in the Law, Michigan Lawyers Weekly — 2017
Top 100 Outstate (Non-Detroit Metro) Lawyer & Top 100 Consumer Lawyer, Leading Lawyers Michigan — 2017
Top 100 Trial Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers — 2013
Lansing Personal Injury Litigator of the Year, Best Lawyers in America — 2012
Lansing Personal Injury Litigator of the Year, Best Lawyers in America — 2011
Leo A. Farhat Outstanding Attorney Award, Ingham County Bar Association — 2004

Education

B.B.A., University of Michigan – Business, 1969
J.D., Wayne State University, cum laude, 1972

Admissions

Michigan, 1972
Illinois, 2010

Connect with Jim Graves

 jimgraves@sinasdramis.com