A member of the California State Bar since 1974, Jim is rated “AV
Preeminent 5.0" by Martindale-Hubbell.
After receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology in 1963 from
Colby College in Waterville, Maine, he earned a Juris Doctor degree
from Loyola University School of Law in Los Angeles in 1973. Jim was
a United States Marine, flying carrier based jet aircraft during the
Vietnam War, attaining the rank of Major.
While attending law school, he was employed in the insurance industry
as an auto underwriter for Allstate Insurance Company. He later worked
as a subrogation claims specialist for the California State Workers
Compensation Insurance Fund in Los Angeles, California.
Jim joined Hart & Michaelis in 1981, becoming one of the three named
partners of Michaelis, Montanari & Johnson in 1984.
He has served as an instructor at the University of Southern California
Institute of Safety & Systems Management where he taught forensic
investigators and accident reconstructionists the skills needed to be
effective witnesses in products liability cases.
He is a member of the United States District Court for the Central and
Northern Districts of California and the United States Court of Appeals,
Ninth Circuit.
In 1977, Jim obtained a single engine land private pilot certificate and
later an instrument rating from the FAA. An avid aviator, he has been a
member of the Experimental Aircraft Association and the International
Aerobatic Club. He completed Aerobatic Judge School in 1988,
qualifying him to judge aerobatic competitions.
Preeminent 5.0" by Martindale-Hubbell.
After receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology in 1963 from
Colby College in Waterville, Maine, he earned a Juris Doctor degree
from Loyola University School of Law in Los Angeles in 1973. Jim was
a United States Marine, flying carrier based jet aircraft during the
Vietnam War, attaining the rank of Major.
While attending law school, he was employed in the insurance industry
as an auto underwriter for Allstate Insurance Company. He later worked
as a subrogation claims specialist for the California State Workers
Compensation Insurance Fund in Los Angeles, California.
Jim joined Hart & Michaelis in 1981, becoming one of the three named
partners of Michaelis, Montanari & Johnson in 1984.
He has served as an instructor at the University of Southern California
Institute of Safety & Systems Management where he taught forensic
investigators and accident reconstructionists the skills needed to be
effective witnesses in products liability cases.
He is a member of the United States District Court for the Central and
Northern Districts of California and the United States Court of Appeals,
Ninth Circuit.
In 1977, Jim obtained a single engine land private pilot certificate and
later an instrument rating from the FAA. An avid aviator, he has been a
member of the Experimental Aircraft Association and the International
Aerobatic Club. He completed Aerobatic Judge School in 1988,
qualifying him to judge aerobatic competitions.
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