Biography
James L. Ferraro: Championing Justice with Compassion and Conviction
James L. Ferraro, a founding partner at Kelley Ferraro, LLC, has dedicated over three decades to advocating for victims of negligence and malpractice, particularly in cases related to asbestos exposure, personal injury, environmental law, and wrongful death. Jim’s approach to law is not just about winning cases; it’s about restoring dignity and ensuring fairness for his clients. His dedication stems from a personal ethos that every individual deserves robust legal representation, especially when facing powerful adversaries. This philosophy has driven him to some of the most significant courtroom victories in the field, including landmark verdicts that have influenced industry standards and legal practices.
Legal Victories and Influential Advocacy
Jim Ferraro has built a distinguished legal career with numerous high-profile victories and significant achievements. These include the largest compensatory award in Florida for a mesothelioma case in 1995. He also won the highest compensatory jury verdict in the nation for a non-malignant asbestos case in 1997. His legal career has resulted in settlements totaling billions of dollars for tens of thousands of clients.
A landmark moment in his career occurred in 1996 when he made American legal history by successfully prosecuting American multinational corporation, DuPont, in the first case against a chemical company for causing a birth defect, where he demonstrated that exposure to the fungicide Benlate resulted in a child being born without eyes. This trial, which was broadcast on Court TV and captured worldwide attention, ultimately was upheld by the Florida Supreme Court seven years later.
Further showcasing his legal experience, in August 2015, Jim achieved a $17,175,000 verdict in an asbestos case against Georgia-Pacific, alongside his oldest son, and fellow attorney, James Ferraro, Jr. This victory earned him the title of 2015 Plaintiff’s Attorney of the Year by CVN Florida. Later that year, he shared his insights and experiences as a guest lecturer at Harvard Law School for third-year law students.
From Courtrooms to Classrooms
Beyond his impressive courtroom victories, Jim is a committed educator and thought leader. In addition to serving as a guest lecturer at Harvard, he regularly guest lectures at The University of Miami sharing his insights on complex litigation and the impact of legal strategies on public health. His commitment to education also extends to his early career, where he taught accounting at the University of Miami.
Author and Advocate
Jim Ferraro is not only a distinguished trial lawyer and educator, but also a compelling author and a staunch advocate for environmental and public health. His book, Blindsided, is a compelling narrative of his precedent-setting case against the chemical giant, DuPont. This book delves into the formidable challenges and significant triumphs of a high-stakes courtroom battle, emphasizing the broader implications for corporate responsibility and environmental safety.
Blindsided not only recounts the legal strategy and emotional investment of the case but also serves as a critical reflection on the impact of law on public health. Jim’s account is an inspiring call to action for legal professionals and a guide for those interested in the intersection of law, justice, and ethics.
Jim continues to share his insights through talks and seminars, encouraging a deeper understanding of the legal challenges tied to public health. His book is available for purchase online, providing valuable perspectives for anyone invested in the pursuit of justice and corporate accountability.
A Life Dedicated to Service
Jim’s contributions extend beyond the legal and educational fields. He has donated over $25 million to various charities and serves on several boards, including Clinton Foundation and The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis. His work with these organizations demonstrates his commitment to societal improvement and community support.
Recognition and Awards
Throughout his career, Jim has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Ellis Island Medal of Honor and being one of only 10 national finalists for Trial Lawyer of the Year in 1997. These accolades reflect his impact on the legal community and his unwavering commitment to his clients.
“Receiving the Ellis Island Medal also reminded me of why I do what I do,” he added. “So many of my clients are blue collar workers, working hard to build better lives. My law firm helps fund and pursue their lawsuits on a contingency basis, so they can take on major corporations that they otherwise could not, to help them get compensation for their injuries. Without our help, most of them would not be able to afford a lawyer. Knowing that I can help make a difference in their lives gives me enormous pride and satisfaction.”
Connect with Jim
Jim welcomes opportunities to discuss potential cases or speak at events about his experiences and the broader implications of his work in asbestos and toxic tort litigation.
Education
- University of Miami School of Law, Coral Gables, Florida
- Juris Doctor – 05/1983
- University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida
- Master of Science – 12/1979
- University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida
- Bachelor of Business Administration – 12/1978
Bar Admission
- U.S. District Court District of Maryland, 2024
- U.S. District Court District of South Carolina, 2021
- U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit, 2020
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois, 2020
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois Trial Bar, 2020
- U.S. Court of Appeals 11th Circuit, 2020
- U.S. District Court Northern District of New York, 2019
- U.S. District Court District of Massachusetts, 2019
- U.S. District Court Western District of New York, 2019
- U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida, 2018
- District of Columbia, 2014
- U.S. Court of Appeals 2nd Circuit, 2010
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Ohio, 2008
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Florida, 2006
- Supreme Court of the United States of America, 2004
- Ohio, 2003
- U.S. District Court Southern District of New York, 2002
- U.S. Court of Appeals 4th Circuit, 2002
- New York, 2002
- U.S. Court of Appeals 1st Circuit, 2000
- U.S. Court of Appeals 3rd Circuit, 1994
- U.S. Tax Court, 1994
- Massachusetts, 1985
- U.S. District Court Southern District of Florida, 1984
- Florida, 1983
Certified Legal Specialties
- Florida Certified Public Accountant, 1980 (CPA’s are state-specific, each jurisdiction sets its own specific licensing criteria) (Inactive)
Representative Cases
- Castillo v. E.I. Du Pont De Memours & Co., Inc., 854 So.2d 1264 (Fla. 2003)
- Galotti v. Owens-Corning Fiberglas, 679 So.2d 291 (Fla. 3rd DCA 1996)
- McKenna vs. Owens-Corning Fiberglas, 726 So.2d 361 (Fla. 3d DCA 1999)
- Pine Island Farms, Inc. v. Donner, 674 So.2d 138 (Fla. 3d DCA 1996)
Honors
- Florida Super Lawyers, 2007 – 2023
- Golden Angel Society, Jackson Memorial Foundation, 1999 – 2023
- Nancy J. Strom Spirit Award, MakeA-Wish Foundation of So. FL, 2018
- Haute Living Miami – Haute 100, 2007 – Present
- CVN Florida 2015 Plaintiff’s Attorney of the Year
- Guest Lecturer Harvard Law School, 2015
- Knight Grand Officer, Knights of Malta, 2015
- Gala Co-Chair, Voices For Children Foundation, Inc., 2014
- Twelve Good Men, Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Florida, 2010
- The Fellows of the American Bar Foundation, 2010
- Bowman Foster Ashe Society, University of Miami, 2009
- Hope Stout Society, Make-A-Wish Foundation of So. FL, 2008
- Chris Greicius Society of Joy, Make-A-Wish Foundation of America, 2004
- Honorary Chairperson, Make-AWish Foundation, 1999 – 2004
- Ellis Island Medal of Honor, 2001
- Outstanding Children’s Patron, Children’s Home Society, 2001
- Knighted, Knights of Malta, 1999
- National Finalist Trial Lawyer of the Year, 1997
- American Jurisprudence Award, Criminal Law, 1982
- Beta Alpha Psi, 1979
- President’s Honor Roll, 1978
- Dean’s List, 1975 – 1978
Professional Associations
- Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants
- American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (Inactive)
- American Association of Attorney-Certified Public Accountants, Inc. (Inactive)
- Dade County Bar Association
- Massachusetts Bar Association
- New York State Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- American Association for Justice
- Florida Justice Association
- The National Trial Lawyers
- Public Justice Foundation
- Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- Public Justice State Coordinator
- The Sports Lawyers Association (Inactive)
- Clinton Foundation
Books
- “Blindsided: The True Story of One Man’s Crusade Against Chemical Giant DuPont for a Boy with No Eyes” – 2016 Best Seller lists Wall Street Journal, USA Today and Los Angeles Times