“For a new client meeting me, I would hope that they would walk away with a belief that they have found a trusted advisor, someone who is experienced, knows the law that applies to their particular case. That they can confide in me, that I am here to help them, share with them, and instruct or educate them and to make the recovery, that’s ultimately what we’re seeking to do.” ~ James Graves

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 legal profession, from complex aviation wrongful death claims to representing victims of the largest campus sexual assault case in history, to name a few. In fact, in 2020, Leading Lawyers published an article featuring Jim’s vast and ranging personal injury career.

Jim is also a foremost thought-leader on Michigan’s complex auto no-fault insurance, and as such, has handled many hundreds of cases involving motor vehicles, semi-trucks, and motorcycles during his long career. He has also handled serious injury cases involving crashes between snowmobiles and snowmobiles and motor vehicles. 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.

Practice Areas

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

Request a Free Personal Injury Consultation

Jim’s Most Noteworthy Wrongful Death and Personal Injury Cases

Camp Lejeune Toxic Water Cases
USA Gymnastics sexual abuse case; $380 million global settlement
University of Michigan/Dr. Robert Anderson sexual assault case; $490 million global settlement
MSU/Nassar sexual abuse case; $500 million global settlement
Flint water case; $640 million settlement
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 tenants in Chicago apartment buildings
Shooting of a vacationer at a Caribbean condo rental property
Dalkon Shield IUD product liability case
Sexual assault of a hospital patient
Wrongful death and personal injuries of adult foster care home residents
$1,000,000 Home Construction Injury

Connect with Jim Graves

Email: jimgraves@sinasdramis.com
Phone: 517-394-7500
Toll Free: 866-758-0031

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 and former Officer
State Bar of Michigan
State Bar of Illinois
Federal Court Bar – Michigan, Illinois

Education

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

Admissions

Michigan, 1972
Illinois, 2010

Awards & Recognition

Thomas E. Brennan Lifetime Achievement Award – 2021
Lawyer of the Year, Best Lawyers — 2021
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
ICBA Attorneys 70+ Spotlight — June 2020
Leading Lawyers Feature Article — 2020
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