James B. Summers Allen, Summers, Simpson, Lillie & Gresham, PLLC
80 Monroe Ave, Suite 650
Memphis, TN 38103
(901) 763 4200
jsummers@allensummers.com
www.allensummers.com
PROFESSIONAL RESUME
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Education:
University of Virginia; University of Tennessee, BS Finance 1973; University of Memphis, JD 1976;
Bar Admissions:
1976, Supreme Court of Tennessee; US District Courts: Eastern District, Arkansas; Northern District, Mississippi; Western District, Tennessee; Middle District, Tennessee; 6th Circuit Court of Appeals; United States Supreme Court;
Professional:
Senior Partner, Allen Summers; Memphis Bar Assn: Past member Board of Directors, Chair of Technology Committee; American Law Firm Assn: past member Transportation, Products Liability, Labor and Employment practice groups; Member: Tennessee Defense Lawyers Assn; Tennessee Assn of Construction Counsel (President 2013-2014); Tennessee Assn of General Contractors (Legislative Committee 2012-2014); Tennessee Trucking Assn; Defense Research Institute; Tennessee Bar Assn. American College of Board Certified Attorneys.
Certifications:
Board certified as Civil Trial Specialist, and in Civil Pretrial Practice Advocacy by National Institute of Trial Advocacy; Rule 31 Mediator by Western District Court and State of Tennessee; Tier One Erosion Control by Tennessee Dept of Environment & Conservation.
Honors:
AV (Very High) rating from Martindale-Hubbell; Designated Mid South Superlawyer in Construction Litigation for 2006 - 2023 by Law and Politics. Top 50 Midsouth Lawyer 2010-22. Top Lawyers in Tennessee. Selected for Best Lawyers in America in Construction Litigation 2008-2023. "Lawyer of the Year - Construction Litigation" by Best Lawyers 2014, 2019, 2020 for Memphis.
Writing:
Former Editor Report from Counsel; authored numerous articles for Memphis Lawyer on technology and law practice management; lectures to various professional associations, trial and judicial practice groups; he has lectured at UT College of Health Sciences for 12 years on legal medicine topics.
Practice:
Represents Fortune 500 companies, entities and individuals in business litigation matters, including construction, transportation, contract, professional negligence, products liability, commercial, personal injury and employment; is major case and complex litigation counsel for premium insurance carriers, handling catastrophic injury and death cases arising out of transportation, construction, products liability, technology and CGL claims.
Community:
Memphis Rotary Club; Economics Club of Memphis; Board of Directors, Chickasaw Council of Boy Scouts of America, where he formerly served as Chairman of the Risk Management Committee for 14 years; former Chair, Personnel Committee, Lindenwood Christian Church. Performs pro bono work for Memphis Area Legal Services.
Personal:
Lives in Harbortown; married, travels and cooks in spare time.