James A. Crocker
James “Jim” A. Crocker concentrates his practice on his experience handling high-exposure cases including transportation, catastrophic injury and wrongful death, professional liability, product liability and product defect, premises liability, personal protection insurance (PIP) benefits, UM/UIM, and Michigan No-Fault. In addition to his depth of trial experience, Jim is a skilled business consultant and routinely consults with corporations, big and small, on their risk profile and risk mitigation strategies.
Jim has tried numerous cases to favorable verdict in a variety of matters, as well as briefed and argued appeals before the Michigan Court of Appeals and Michigan Supreme Court. In a Michigan jury trial, a defense verdict was achieved, convincing the jury to deny the plaintiff’s back surgery and permanent disability claims.
Jim is also a highly experienced workers’ compensation attorney, representing employers, insurance companies, transportation companies, municipal employees, and self-insureds throughout the State of Michigan. In addition to his workers’ compensation experience, he has also defended public entities, against road commission liabilities, Section 1983 claims, and civil rights violations.
Bringing his distinctive expertise to Kopka Pinkus Dolin, Jim dedicated a portion of his career to managing liability claims and litigation for one of the world’s top freight carriers in the industry. Jim successfully defended serious transportation cases involving a wide range of issues including traumatic brain injury and wrongful death. He has handled cases across North America in both state and federal courts, as well as cases in the Canadian Provincial Courts. In addition to handling these matters, Jim routinely consulted with and advised the executive suite on emerging legal trends in the transportation industry and ways to proactively manage the company’s risk profile. Jim’s expertise extends from the courtroom to boardroom.
As part of the firm’s Rapid Response Team, Jim is available 24/7 to immediately deploy to the scene of a major accident, fire, or explosion to undertake an investigation of the evidence and direct experts to evaluate the accident for possible exposure and defenses. He is also certified by the Michigan State Police as a credentialed Fire Investigator, accredited through the National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications (ProBoard).
Jim speaks frequently throughout the country at conferences and for organizations on topics concerning heavy trucking and transportation. Dedicated to maintaining his proficiency and knowledge in emerging trends throughout the industry, Jim is an active member in such organizations such as TIDA and TLA.
- ALFA International
- National Board on Fire Service Professoinal Qualification and Michigan State Police, Fire Investigator
- Transportation Lawyers Association (TLA)
- Trucking Industry Defense Association (TIDA)
Appellate Opinions
- Travelers Property Casualty Co of America v. City of Grand Rapids, (Mich. Ct. App. 2015)
- Mobiletech Automotive LLC v. Crystal Clean Automotive Detailing, (Mich. Ct. App. 2014)
