Introduction
Introducing James Bartimus ...
Since founding the firm in 1977, Jim Bartimus has been recognized as a premier medical malpractice attorney, representing plaintiffs nationwide in complex negligence and pharmaceutical cases. Bartimus, who attended medical school after receiving his J.D., considers it a personal mission to handle all client cases with precision and care. “Every day, people walk in who have suffered a catastrophe or a tragedy and my motivation is to try and help them.”
"JB is one of the finest Medical Malpractice lawyers in the country. He is extremely ethical and professional. I highly recommend him."
- Robert Palmer, Esq. [Avvo]
Bio/CV
James Bartimus founded the firm in 1977 and has devoted the last 38 years to representing plaintiffs nationwide in complex medical negligence and pharmaceutical cases.
Jim is Fellow of International Academy of Trial Lawyers, American College of Legal Medicine, The Summit Council, National Judicial College Board of Visitors Co-Chair. Jim is past President of the International Society of Barristers, Civil Justice Foundation, Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys, KC Metropolitan Bar Association, KC Metropolitan Bar Foundation, Missouri Institute for Justice, regional chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates, and UMKC Law Foundation.
Jim Bartimus grew up in Belton Missouri and was inducted into the Belton High School Hall of Fame in 2013. He was chosen Man of the Year by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, was presented with the UMKC Alumni Achievement Award 2014, and for his work on the KCMBA’s Voice of Justice program he was awarded the Acorn Award from Missouri Humanities Council. He and his wife Dana founded The DanaJames Kids Foundation and are active with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Foundation. Jim is on the Board of the Kids and Cars Organization, past Board member of Center for Practical Bioethics, past Board member of the University of Kansas City Trustees, and is active with LEAP (Lawyers Encouraging Academic Performance).
Jim shares his experience and knowledge by teaching at the University of Missouri at Kansas City School of Law, UMKC School of Nursing, and speaking/presenting at more than 100 continuing legal and medical education events through the United States, Europe, and Australia.
Jim Bartimus has been honored many times over the years including:
- UMKC Alumni Achievement Award 2014;
- Martindale-Hubbell, 25+ years AV Preeminent Rating, since 1985;
- Litigator of the Year, Kansas City, 2010 Best Lawyers;
- Missouri Lawyer’s Weekly, Best Medical Negligence Lawyer in Missouri;
- Best Lawyers in America (more than 12 years running); Kansas City’s The Best of the Bar (each year since inception)
- Dean of the Trial Bar, Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association
- SuperLawyers of Missouri and Kansas
- President’s Award, University of Missouri Law Foundation, 1996
- The Belli Society
- Wiedemann Wysocki National Finance Council Award (ATLA) 2006
- Who's Who Worldwide
- Who's Who in American Law
- Who's Who in Kansas City
- Strathmore’s Who’s Who
- KCMBA Presidential Recognition Award
- William P. Borland Award, Law Foundation, University of Missouri KC
- Decade Award, Law Foundation, University of Missouri KC
- The Association of Trial Lawyers of America Work Horse Award,
- "Best Up and Coming Lawyer", Kansas City, Missouri TOWN SQUIRE MAGAZINE, 1982
- Finalist, National Appellate Advocacy, 1977
- Moot Court Board, University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Law
- Law Review, University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Law
- Dean's List, University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Law
- Senior Life Fellow, American Board of Trial Attorneys
Education and Past Experience:
- 1980 – University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine
- 1977 – University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law, J.D.
- 1971– University of Missouri, B.A.
Memberships and Affiliations:
Jurisdictions
- Missouri Supreme Court
- Kansas Supreme Court
- Colorado Supreme Court
- State of Missouri – All Jurisdictions
- State of Colorado – All Jurisdictions
- State of Nebraska – All Jurisdictions
- State of Kansas – All Jurisdictions
- United States Federal District Court for the Western District of Missouri
- United States Federal District Court – District of Kansas
- United States Supreme Court
Professional
- American Board of Trial Advocates – Western Missouri Chapter, Past President
- American Judicature Society
- American Society of Legal Medicine
- Association of Personal Injury Lawyers
- Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- Civil Justice Foundation, Past President
- International Academy of Trial Lawyers
- American College of Legal Medicine
- International Society of Barristers, President
- Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association,Past President
- Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Foundation,Past President
- Lawyers-Pilot Bar Association
- Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys, Past President
- Missouri Institute for Justice,Past President
- National Judicial College, Co-Chair Board of Visitors
- The Summit Council
- UMKC Law Foundation, Past President
Civic
- American Lung Association
- Center for Practical Bioethics, Past Board Member
- DanaJames Kids Foundation
- Kids and Cars Organization, Board Member
- LEAP (Lawyers Encouraging Academic Performance)
- Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
- University of Kansas City Trustees, Past Board Member
Honors and Recognitions:
- UMKC Alumni Achievement Award 2014
- Man of the Year, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
- Super Lawyers of Missouri and Kansas, 2005 to present
- Best Lawyers in America, 2000 to present
- Martindale-Hubbell, 25+ years AV Preeminent Rating, 1985 to present
- Lawyer of the Year 2014, Medical Malpractice, Best Lawyers of America
- Lawyer of the Year 2013, Personal Injury, Best Lawyers of America
- Lawyer of the Year 2012, Medical Malpractice, Best Lawyers of America
- Lawyer of the Year, 2010, Personal Injury, Best Lawyers of America
- Litigator of the Year, Kansas City, 2010 Best Lawyers
- Kansas City’s The Best of the Bar, 2000 to present
- KCMBA Presidential Recognition Award
- Missouri Lawyer’s Weekly, Best Medical Negligence Lawyer in Missouri; Wiedemann Wysocki National Finance Council Award (ATLA) 2006
- William P. Borland Award, Law Foundation, University of Missouri KC
- Belton High School Hall of Fame
- Acorn Award from Missouri Humanities Council
- "Best Up and Coming Lawyer," Kansas City, Missouri Town Squire Magazine, 1982
- Dean of the Trial Bar, Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association
- Dean's List, University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Law
- Decade Award, Law Foundation, University of Missouri KC
- Finalist, National Appellate Advocacy, 1977
- Law Review, University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Law
- Moot Court Board, University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Law
- President’s Award, University of Missouri Law Foundation, 1996
- Senior Life Fellow, American Board of Trial Attorneys
- The Association of Trial Lawyers of America Work Horse Award, The Belli Society
- Who's Who in American Law
- Who's Who in Kansas City
- Who's Who Worldwide
Case Articles
O'Grady v. Brown
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