James A. Beakes III

James A.

Beakes III

Overview

Jim is a member of the Pharmaceutical, Medical Device and Healthcare Group. He focuses his litigation practice on general, trucking and healthcare matters.

Experience

  • Assisted discovery, motions, and trial teams in preparation and administration of federal MDL and/or related state proceedings in Propecia, Accutane, Tylenol, Diet Drugs and Oxycontin products liability litigations
  • Represented clients in products liability matters involving claims against manufacturers and/or distributors of various types of products, including pharmaceuticals, automobiles, tires, utility vehicles, cranes, packaging materials, and consumer products  
  • Experience representing trucking and transportation clients including regional/national trucking companies and property freight broker.
  • Representative experience as co-lead and assisting trial counsel includes:
    • Mayfield v. Averitt Express, Inc., Circuit Court for Rutherford County, Tennessee
    • Parrish v. Smurfit-Stone Container Corp., U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee
    • Johnson v. Sumner Regional Medical Center, Circuit Court for Sumner County, Tennessee
    • Big Creek Landscaping, LLC v. Hudson Constr. Co., Chancery court for Davidson County, Tennessee
  • Experience briefing and/or arguing appellate matters before the Tennessee and Federal Appellate courts.  Representative Matters include:
    • Carolyn Coffman et al. v. Armstrong International Inc. et al., No. 2-484-14, Supreme Court of Tennessee at Knoxville.
    • Vickie S. Young, Individually and as Administrator of the Estate of Randall Josh Young, Deceased v. Frist Cardiology, PLLC et al., No. M2019-00316-SC-R11-CV.
    • Westfield v. Fed. Republic of Germany, 633 F.3d 409 (6th 2011) (Affirming dismissal of plaintiff’s claims under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act)
    • Lamar Tenn., LLC v. Metro. Bd. of Zoning Appeals, No. M2007-00883-COA-R3-CV, 2010 Tenn. App. LEXIS 173 (Tenn. Ct. App. Mar. 5, 2010) (Reversing judgment of Chancery Court on Plaintiff’s petition for writ of certiorari)
    • Waters v. Coker, 229 S.W.3d 682 (Tenn. 2007) (Reversing judgment of court of appeals and reinstating judgment of trial court in favor of Defendant following jury trial)
    • Big Creek Landscaping, LLC v. Hudson Constr. Co., No. M2006-01657-COA-R3-CV, 2007 Tenn. App. LEXIS 645 (Tenn. Ct. App. 22, 2007) (Affirming judgment of Chancery Court following bench trial)
    • Stewart v. Cottrell, 255 S.W.3d 582 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2007)

Distinctions

  • Martindale-Hubbell®
    • Notable™, 2008-2017

Bar Admissions

  • Georgia, 2002
  • Tennessee, 2005
  • U.S. District Courts
    • Tennessee: Eastern, Middle, Western
    • Georgia: Northern, Middle
  • U.S. Court of Appeals
    • 6th Circuit

Education

  • Vanderbilt University Law School, J.D., 2002
    • Managing Editor, Vanderbilt Law Review
    • Phi Kappa Phi
  • Duke University, B.A., 1997

Associations

  • American Bar Association
  • Nashville Bar Association
  • Tennessee Bar Association
  • Georgia Bar Association
  • Defense Research Institute (DRI)

Papers, Presentations & Publications

James A.

Beakes III

Overview

Jim is a member of the Pharmaceutical, Medical Device and Healthcare Group. He focuses his litigation practice on general, trucking and healthcare matters.

Experience

  • Assisted discovery, motions, and trial teams in preparation and administration of federal MDL and/or related state proceedings in Propecia, Accutane, Tylenol, Diet Drugs and Oxycontin products liability litigations
  • Represented clients in products liability matters involving claims against manufacturers and/or distributors of various types of products, including pharmaceuticals, automobiles, tires, utility vehicles, cranes, packaging materials, and consumer products  
  • Experience representing trucking and transportation clients including regional/national trucking companies and property freight broker.
  • Representative experience as co-lead and assisting trial counsel includes:
    • Mayfield v. Averitt Express, Inc., Circuit Court for Rutherford County, Tennessee
    • Parrish v. Smurfit-Stone Container Corp., U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee
    • Johnson v. Sumner Regional Medical Center, Circuit Court for Sumner County, Tennessee
    • Big Creek Landscaping, LLC v. Hudson Constr. Co., Chancery court for Davidson County, Tennessee
  • Experience briefing and/or arguing appellate matters before the Tennessee and Federal Appellate courts.  Representative Matters include:
    • Carolyn Coffman et al. v. Armstrong International Inc. et al., No. 2-484-14, Supreme Court of Tennessee at Knoxville.
    • Vickie S. Young, Individually and as Administrator of the Estate of Randall Josh Young, Deceased v. Frist Cardiology, PLLC et al., No. M2019-00316-SC-R11-CV.
    • Westfield v. Fed. Republic of Germany, 633 F.3d 409 (6th 2011) (Affirming dismissal of plaintiff’s claims under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act)
    • Lamar Tenn., LLC v. Metro. Bd. of Zoning Appeals, No. M2007-00883-COA-R3-CV, 2010 Tenn. App. LEXIS 173 (Tenn. Ct. App. Mar. 5, 2010) (Reversing judgment of Chancery Court on Plaintiff’s petition for writ of certiorari)
    • Waters v. Coker, 229 S.W.3d 682 (Tenn. 2007) (Reversing judgment of court of appeals and reinstating judgment of trial court in favor of Defendant following jury trial)
    • Big Creek Landscaping, LLC v. Hudson Constr. Co., No. M2006-01657-COA-R3-CV, 2007 Tenn. App. LEXIS 645 (Tenn. Ct. App. 22, 2007) (Affirming judgment of Chancery Court following bench trial)
    • Stewart v. Cottrell, 255 S.W.3d 582 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2007)

Distinctions

  • Martindale-Hubbell®
    • Notable™, 2008-2017

Bar Admissions

  • Georgia, 2002
  • Tennessee, 2005
  • U.S. District Courts
    • Tennessee: Eastern, Middle, Western
    • Georgia: Northern, Middle
  • U.S. Court of Appeals
    • 6th Circuit

Education

  • Vanderbilt University Law School, J.D., 2002
    • Managing Editor, Vanderbilt Law Review
    • Phi Kappa Phi
  • Duke University, B.A., 1997

Associations

  • American Bar Association
  • Nashville Bar Association
  • Tennessee Bar Association
  • Georgia Bar Association
  • Defense Research Institute (DRI)

Papers, Presentations & Publications