Overview

Jim Polkinghorn is a partner in the Fort Lauderdale office and heads the litigation practice there. He is an experienced trial attorney, having tried more than thirty cases to juries in state and federal courts throughout the state of Florida and elsewhere in the United States.

Jim has extensive experience litigating cases of all levels of complexity, from single-plaintiff discrimination claims to multi-party class and collective actions arising under state and federal labor and employment laws. His significant trial experience allows him to focus early on issues that impact winning or losing.

He is also a certified mediator, which gives him a practical perspective on litigation strategy. Jim is "AV" Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell and has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America since 2009.

He was also included in the 2012 edition of South Florida's Top Rated Lawyers, presented by Legal Leaders and the 2015 and 2016 edition of Super Lawyers Florida. Furthermore, Jim was nominated by Corporate Counsel to the BTI Client Services All-Stars 2015.

Experience

Thousand Member Class Action Dismissed on Appeal of Certification Order
State Trial Judge Grants Directed Verdict for Defendant at Close of Plaintiff’s Evidence in Workers’ Compensation Retaliation Trial
Arbitrator Rules in Favor of International Media Company in Contract Dispute with Company Founder

Reported Cases

Dingman v. Delta Health Group, 26 F. Supp. 2d 1349 (S.D. Fla. 1998)
Wilde v. Florida Pneumatic Mtg. Co., 941 F. Supp. 1203 (S.D. Fla. 1996)

Representative Work

Honors & Leadership

Honors & Awards

"AV" Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America (2011 – 2021)
Included in the 2012 edition of South Florida's Top Rated Lawyers, presented by Legal Leaders
Listed in the Florida Super Lawyers (2015-present)

Professional Activities

Jim is active in the Litigation and Labor and Employment Sections of the ABA. He also actively participates in professional mediator organizations.

Community Activities

Jim is a Life Member of the University of Florida Alumni Association and actively participates in the organization's activities. He is also an active member of Gator Boosters of Key West and the Sigma Chi Fraternity Alumni Association.