James Shea, Venable’s chair, maintains an active practice, focusing on corporate litigation and related issues.  A member of the American College of Trial Lawyers, he tries cases in both federal and state systems throughout the country.

Mr. Shea offers aggressive, thorough corporate counseling, litigation management and trial work in federal and state courts nationally. Supported by a highly efficient staff, he regularly handles very large, complex matters.

Representative Clients

Mr. Shea’s clients include:

• Marriott International, Inc.
• Joseph A. Bank Clothiers 
• CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield 
• Verizon Maryland
• Medical Mutual Liability Insurance Society of Maryland
• Johns Hopkins University

He has also represented professional sports franchises, and a number of professional service firms and large pharmaceutical companies in various commercial matters.

Significant Matters

Mr. Shea handles complex commercial litigation Mr. Shea has both prosecuted and defended financial institutions and major corporations in securities class actions, contract, breach of fiduciary duty, and products liability causes of action.  Particular cases have involved the ownership of professional sports franchises, software disputes, executive duties and compensation, contract claims, and alleged personal injury, and a number have required emergency injunctive relief.

Activities

Active in the community, Mr. Shea is a member of the Boards of the Greater Baltimore Committee, Empower Baltimore Management Corporation, Downtown Partnership of Baltimore, the Equal Justice Council, and is a Regent of the University System of Maryland.  He is Chairman of the Central Maryland Transportation Alliance.  He is a recent past member of the Boards of Mercantile Bankshares and Mercantile Bank and Trust, and past Chairman of the Board of Downtown Partnership of Baltimore, and the Empower Baltimore Management Corporation, and past Trustee of the Hippodrome Foundation and the Calvert School.  He is a current fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, and is a member of the Defense Research Institute, and the Maryland Association of Defense Trial Counsel.