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James Polkinghorn photo

James C. Polkinghorn

Partner


Fort Lauderdale

t:954.847.4702

f:954.525.8739

Email

Service Focus

  • Litigation and Trials

Industry Focus

  • Education
  • Manufacturing
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Overview
Recent Experience
Credentials
Recognitions
Affiliations
Insights

Overview

Jim is a partner in the Fort Lauderdale office and Deputy General Counsel to Fisher Phillips, serving primarily as the firm’s Ethics Counsel.  With many years of complex litigation and trial experience-- having tried more than 30 cases to juries throughout Florida and elsewhere in the United States-- Jim also consults with firm lawyers on litigation and trial strategy.

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.

Recent Experience

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

Credentials

Education

  • J.D., 1983, with honors, University of Florida, Levin College of Law
  • B.A., 1980, with honors, Phi Beta Kappa, University of Florida

Bar Admissions

  • Florida

Court Admissions

  • Florida Supreme Court
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida

Recognitions

  • Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America (2011 – 2025)
  • "AV" Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
  • Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America, Lawyer of the Year - Labor Law - Management (2022)
  • Included in the 2012 edition of South Florida's Top Rated Lawyers, presented by Legal Leaders
  • Listed in the Florida Super Lawyers (2015-present)

Affiliations

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.

Insights

  • Event

    06/10/22

    Fisher Phillips South Florida Annual Seminar – The Great Transformation: Rethinking the Workplace and Your Role

    Phillip C. Bauknight, Suzanne K. Bogdan, Michael E. Bonner, Jennifer B. Carroll, Charles S. Caulkins, Ilanit Fischler, Megan L. Janes, Garrett S. Kamen, Kenneth A. Knox, James C. Polkinghorn, Thomas Paul Rebel, Steven A. Siegel, Cathy M. Stutin, Colette F. Wolf

    Read more 

  • News

    08/19/21

    Fisher Phillips Attorneys Receive Top Honors in Best Lawyers in America©

    Christine E. Howard, James J. McDonald Jr., Stephen C. Mitchell, James C. Polkinghorn, Christopher P. Stief

    Read more 

  • News

    08/20/20

    Fisher Phillips Attorneys Receive Top Honors in Best Lawyers in America©

    Michael V. Abcarian, Stephanie R. Alexander, William E. Altman, Christopher Alvarez, Joseph W. Ambash, Craig R. Annunziata, Davis C. Bae, Gregory D. Ballew, Kelsey E. Schiappacasse, Cheryl L. Behymer, Clarence M. Belnavis, Steven M. Bernstein, Suzanne K. Bogdan, D. Albert Brannen, Kathleen McLeod Caminiti, Jocelyn Campanaro, Christopher J. Capone, Michael D. Carrouth, Charles S. Caulkins, Lyle M. Chan, J. Randall Coffey, Theresa M. Connolly, Laurel K. Cornell, Steven R. Cupp, Kevin J. Dalton, J. Micah Dickie, Burton F. Dodd, David B. Dornak, Benjamin Dudek, Todd Alan Ewan, Daniel E. Farrington, Brian J. Finucane, Todd A. Fredrickson, Andrew Froman, Joseph W. Gagnon, Brian J. Gershengorn, Lauren G. Goetzl, Rosemary S. Gousman, Michael R. Greco, Paul Greco, Rick Grimaldi, Greg Grisham, Lori A. Guner, Raymond C. Haley III, Edward F. Harold, JonVieve D. Hill, Christopher C. Hoffman, James R. Holland II, Christine E. Howard, Clyde H. Jacob III, David S. Jones, Matthew R. Korn, Danielle Krauthamer Zobel, Edwina C. Kye, Arthur V. Lambert, Terry E. Lardakis, Aymara Ledezma, Courtney Leyes, Karl R. Lindegren, Steven M. Loewengart, Reyburn W. Lominack III, Nathan K. Low, Darin L. Mackender, Scott M. Mahoney, Jeffrey E. Mandel, C. F. W. Manning II, Howard A. Mavity, James J. McDonald Jr., Phillips L. McWilliams, Richard A. Millisor, Stephen C. Mitchell, Danielle Hultenius Moore, R. Henry Moore, Timothy J. Murphy, Gregory V. Murray, Warren L. Nelson, Steven M. Nobil, Daniel P. O'Brien, James Patrick, Jonathan P. Pearson, Regina A. Petty, Ann Margaret Pointer, James C. Polkinghorn, John M. Polson, Keith M. Pyburn Jr., Roger K. Quillen, Melody L. Rayl, Thomas Paul Rebel, Mark J. Ricciardi, Ashton M. Riley, Stephen J. Roppolo, Jeffrey A. Savarise, Susan M. Schaecher, Cheryl L. Schreck, David E. Schreiner, Stephen Scott, Timothy H. Scott, Joseph P. Shelton, Craig P. Siegenthaler, Jeffrey D. Smith, John W. Stapleton, Shanon R. Stevenson, Terri R. Stewart, Christopher P. Stief, Cathy M. Stutin, Douglas R. Sullenberger, James Sullivan, Martin F. Thompson, Megan Reese U'Sellis, Pavneet Singh Uppal, Teresa Valderrama, Joshua H. Viau, Timothy J. Weatherholt, Jeff Weintraub, Alexander A. Wheatley, Benton N. Wood, Robert Yonowitz, George D. Adams, Richard R. Meneghello, Hannah Sweiss, Robert M. Robenalt, Todd A. Lyon, Todd B. Logsdon, J. Hagood Tighe, Danielle S. Urban, Sheila M. Abron, Kristin R.B. White, Michelle I. Anderson

    Read more 

  • News

    08/15/19

    Best Lawyers in America® Honors 96 Fisher Phillips Attorneys in 2020 Edition

    Michael V. Abcarian, George D. Adams, Joseph W. Ambash, Craig R. Annunziata, Cheryl L. Behymer, Clarence M. Belnavis, Steven M. Bernstein, Suzanne K. Bogdan, D. Albert Brannen, Kathleen McLeod Caminiti, Christopher J. Capone, Michael D. Carrouth, Charles S. Caulkins, J. Randall Coffey, Laurel K. Cornell, Steven R. Cupp, Kevin J. Dalton, Burton F. Dodd, Todd Alan Ewan, Daniel E. Farrington, Brian J. Finucane, Todd A. Fredrickson, Andrew Froman, Brian J. Gershengorn, Rosemary S. Gousman, Michael R. Greco, Paul Greco, Rick Grimaldi, Greg Grisham, Raymond C. Haley III, Edward F. Harold, Christopher C. Hoffman, James R. Holland II, Christine E. Howard, Clyde H. Jacob III, David S. Jones, Terry E. Lardakis, Karl R. Lindegren, Steven M. Loewengart, Todd B. Logsdon, Darin L. Mackender, Scott M. Mahoney, Jeffrey E. Mandel, C. F. W. Manning II, Howard A. Mavity, James J. McDonald Jr., Richard R. Meneghello, Richard A. Millisor, Stephen C. Mitchell, Danielle Hultenius Moore, Timothy J. Murphy, Warren L. Nelson, Steven M. Nobil, Daniel P. O'Brien, Jonathan P. Pearson, Ann Margaret Pointer, James C. Polkinghorn, John M. Polson, Keith M. Pyburn Jr., Roger K. Quillen, Thomas Paul Rebel, Mark J. Ricciardi, Robert M. Robenalt, Stephen J. Roppolo, Jeffrey A. Savarise, Susan M. Schaecher, David E. Schreiner, Timothy H. Scott, Joseph P. Shelton, Craig P. Siegenthaler, Jeffrey D. Smith, Shanon R. Stevenson, Terri R. Stewart, Christopher P. Stief, Cathy M. Stutin, Douglas R. Sullenberger, James Sullivan, Martin F. Thompson, J. Hagood Tighe, Pavneet Singh Uppal, Danielle S. Urban, Teresa Valderrama, Joshua H. Viau, Timothy J. Weatherholt, Jeff Weintraub, Benton N. Wood, Robert Yonowitz

    Read more 

  • News

    08/15/18

    Ninety-Five Fisher Phillips Attorneys Selected to The Best Lawyers in America 2019

    Michael V. Abcarian, George D. Adams, Joseph W. Ambash, Craig R. Annunziata, Cheryl L. Behymer, Clarence M. Belnavis, Steven M. Bernstein, Suzanne K. Bogdan, D. Albert Brannen, Kathleen McLeod Caminiti, Christopher J. Capone, Michael D. Carrouth, Charles S. Caulkins, J. Randall Coffey, Laurel K. Cornell, Steven R. Cupp, Kevin J. Dalton, Burton F. Dodd, Todd Alan Ewan, Brian J. Finucane, Todd A. Fredrickson, Rosemary S. Gousman, Michael R. Greco, Paul Greco, Rick Grimaldi, Raymond C. Haley III, Edward F. Harold, Christopher C. Hoffman, James R. Holland II, Christine E. Howard, Terry E. Lardakis, Karl R. Lindegren, Steven M. Loewengart, Todd B. Logsdon, Darin L. Mackender, Scott M. Mahoney, Jeffrey E. Mandel, C. F. W. Manning II, Howard A. Mavity, James J. McDonald Jr., Richard R. Meneghello, Richard A. Millisor, Stephen C. Mitchell, Timothy J. Murphy, Warren L. Nelson, Steven M. Nobil, Daniel P. O'Brien, Jonathan P. Pearson, Ann Margaret Pointer, James C. Polkinghorn, John M. Polson, Keith M. Pyburn Jr., Roger K. Quillen, Thomas Paul Rebel, Mark J. Ricciardi, Robert M. Robenalt, Stephen J. Roppolo, Jeffrey A. Savarise, Susan M. Schaecher, David E. Schreiner, Timothy H. Scott, Joseph P. Shelton, Craig P. Siegenthaler, Jeffrey D. Smith, Shanon R. Stevenson, Christopher P. Stief, Cathy M. Stutin, Douglas R. Sullenberger, Martin F. Thompson, J. Hagood Tighe, Pavneet Singh Uppal, Danielle S. Urban, Teresa Valderrama, Joshua H. Viau, Timothy J. Weatherholt, Jeff Weintraub, Benton N. Wood, Robert Yonowitz

    Read more 

  • News

    08/15/17

    Eighty-Nine Fisher Phillips Attorneys Selected to The Best Lawyers in America 2018

    Michael V. Abcarian, George D. Adams, Joseph W. Ambash, Craig R. Annunziata, Cheryl L. Behymer, Clarence M. Belnavis, Steven M. Bernstein, Suzanne K. Bogdan, D. Albert Brannen, Kathleen McLeod Caminiti, Christopher J. Capone, Michael D. Carrouth, Charles S. Caulkins, J. Randall Coffey, Steven R. Cupp, Kevin J. Dalton, Burton F. Dodd, Todd Alan Ewan, Brian J. Finucane, Todd A. Fredrickson, Rosemary S. Gousman, Rick Grimaldi, Raymond C. Haley III, Edward F. Harold, Christopher C. Hoffman, James R. Holland II, Christine E. Howard, Terry E. Lardakis, Karl R. Lindegren, Darin L. Mackender, Scott M. Mahoney, Jeffrey E. Mandel, C. F. W. Manning II, Howard A. Mavity, James J. McDonald Jr., Richard R. Meneghello, Richard A. Millisor, Michael S. Mitchell, Stephen C. Mitchell, Timothy J. Murphy, Warren L. Nelson, Steven M. Nobil, Daniel P. O'Brien, Jonathan P. Pearson, Ann Margaret Pointer, James C. Polkinghorn, John M. Polson, Keith M. Pyburn Jr., Roger K. Quillen, Thomas Paul Rebel, Mark J. Ricciardi, Robert M. Robenalt, Stephen J. Roppolo, Jeffrey A. Savarise, Susan M. Schaecher, David E. Schreiner, Timothy H. Scott, Joseph P. Shelton, Craig P. Siegenthaler, Jeffrey D. Smith, Shanon R. Stevenson, Cathy M. Stutin, Douglas R. Sullenberger, J. Hagood Tighe, Pavneet Singh Uppal, Danielle S. Urban, Teresa Valderrama, Joshua H. Viau, Timothy J. Weatherholt, Jeff Weintraub, Benton N. Wood

    Read more 

  • Event

    10/28/16

    Fort Lauderdale Labor and Employment Law Update

    Suzanne K. Bogdan, Kenneth A. Knox, Lisa A. McGlynn, James C. Polkinghorn, Cathy M. Stutin

    Read more 

  • News

    08/15/16

    Attorneys Selected to The Best Lawyers in America 2017

    Michael V. Abcarian, George D. Adams, Joseph W. Ambash, Craig R. Annunziata, Cheryl L. Behymer, Clarence M. Belnavis, Steven M. Bernstein, Suzanne K. Bogdan, D. Albert Brannen, Kathleen McLeod Caminiti, Michael D. Carrouth, Charles S. Caulkins, J. Randall Coffey, Steven R. Cupp, Kevin J. Dalton, Burton F. Dodd, Todd Alan Ewan, Brian J. Finucane, Todd A. Fredrickson, Rosemary S. Gousman, Raymond C. Haley III, Edward F. Harold, Christopher C. Hoffman, James R. Holland II, Christine E. Howard, Terry E. Lardakis, Karl R. Lindegren, Darin L. Mackender, Scott M. Mahoney, Jeffrey E. Mandel, C. F. W. Manning II, Howard A. Mavity, James J. McDonald Jr., Richard R. Meneghello, Richard A. Millisor, Michael S. Mitchell, Stephen C. Mitchell, Timothy J. Murphy, Warren L. Nelson, Steven M. Nobil, Daniel P. O'Brien, Jonathan P. Pearson, Ann Margaret Pointer, James C. Polkinghorn, John M. Polson, Keith M. Pyburn Jr., Roger K. Quillen, Thomas Paul Rebel, Mark J. Ricciardi, Robert M. Robenalt, Jeffrey A. Savarise, Susan M. Schaecher, David E. Schreiner, Timothy H. Scott, Craig P. Siegenthaler, Jeffrey D. Smith, Cathy M. Stutin, Douglas R. Sullenberger, J. Hagood Tighe, Danielle S. Urban, Teresa Valderrama, Joshua H. Viau, Jeff Weintraub, Benton N. Wood

    Read more 

  • News

    06/09/16

    Eleven Attorneys Included in Florida Super Lawyers & Rising Stars

    Steven M. Bernstein, Suzanne K. Bogdan, Charles S. Caulkins, Christine E. Howard, Jeffrey E. Mandel, James C. Polkinghorn, Cathy M. Stutin, Benton N. Wood

    Read more 

  • News

    08/17/15

    Fisher Phillips Attorneys Selected to The Best Lawyers in America 2016

    Michael V. Abcarian, Joseph W. Ambash, Craig R. Annunziata, Cheryl L. Behymer, Clarence M. Belnavis, Steven M. Bernstein, Suzanne K. Bogdan, D. Albert Brannen, Kathleen McLeod Caminiti, Michael D. Carrouth, Charles S. Caulkins, J. Randall Coffey, Steven R. Cupp, Kevin J. Dalton, Burton F. Dodd, Brian J. Finucane, Todd A. Fredrickson, Rosemary S. Gousman, Raymond C. Haley III, Edward F. Harold, Christopher C. Hoffman, James R. Holland II, Christine E. Howard, Terry E. Lardakis, Karl R. Lindegren, Darin L. Mackender, Scott M. Mahoney, Jeffrey E. Mandel, C. F. W. Manning II, Howard A. Mavity, James J. McDonald Jr., Richard R. Meneghello, Richard A. Millisor, Michael S. Mitchell, Stephen C. Mitchell, Timothy J. Murphy, Warren L. Nelson, Steven M. Nobil, Daniel P. O'Brien, Jonathan P. Pearson, Ann Margaret Pointer, James C. Polkinghorn, John M. Polson, Keith M. Pyburn Jr., Roger K. Quillen, Thomas Paul Rebel, Mark J. Ricciardi, Robert M. Robenalt, Jeffrey A. Savarise, Susan M. Schaecher, David E. Schreiner, Timothy H. Scott, Craig P. Siegenthaler, Jeffrey D. Smith, Cathy M. Stutin, Douglas R. Sullenberger, J. Hagood Tighe, Joshua H. Viau, Jeff Weintraub, Benton N. Wood

    Read more 

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