Founding Attorney

Jim understands that when his clients come to him, they are facing very personal and often disruptive challenges. He makes sure that each one of his clients receives personal attention and care. Jim wants his clients to focus on getting back to the things that are important to them, having the peace of mind that comes from knowing that their attorney is doing the best possible job handling the matter which brought them to him.

Jim has spent his entire career as a litigator, building a reputation among colleagues, adversaries, and judges as a zealous and successful advocate and someone who is always thoroughly prepared and willing to go to trial. Jim began his law career in Tampa at the prestigious criminal defense firm of Lazzara & Paul, P.A. He learned to practice law under the tutelage of nationally renowned trial attorney Bennie Lazzara, Jr. Together, they defended individuals accused of crimes in both state and federal court.

Jim has represented clients from Miami to Los Angeles on charges ranging from DUI to murder. He gained extensive experience in the area of forfeitures, and was lead counsel on the largest criminal forfeiture of real property in the Middle District of Florida.

Building on his criminal defense experience, Jim expanded his practice to include the representation of professionals in the medical field, including physicians and corporate officers of hospitals or medical practices in white collar fraud claims, as well as Qui Tam actions. Additionally, he has represented individuals in civil rights claims, fighting for those wrongly accused and convicted of crimes and victims of unnecessary or excessive force by law enforcement.

At Wardell Law Firm, Jim focuses his trial practice primarily on representing individuals injured in automobile accidents or victims of medical malpractice or defective products. He has secured multiple seven figure confidential settlements in serious auto accident, medical malpractice, and wrongful death cases.

Jim has been recognized by his peers with the AV Preeminent® rating from Martindale-Hubbell®, the highest possible rating for both ethical standards and legal ability.