Attorneys / James S. Reece
James S. Reece
Senior Counsel
Practice Groups
Business & Commercial, Business & Commercial Litigation, Construction & Real Estate, Corporate & Transactions, General Corporate, Insurance Coverage, Professional Liability, Torts & Products Liability, Torts and Product
Biography
Jim Reece practiced at a large firm for more than 30 years, handling cases throughout the United States and abroad, before forming a firm with his daughter, Wynne Reece, upon her graduation from law school. During his career, Jim has represented clients in cases involving business disputes, personal injury, product liability, mass torts, industrial accidents, arson, antitrust, financial products, insurance coverage, professional liability, and real estate. Jim has represented a number of Fortune 500 companies on some of their most important and complex cases. Jim has also represented insurers. Jim understands litigation strategies and dynamics from both the plaintiff and defense sides.
When practicing with Wynne, Jim represented corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships, creative entrepreneurs, professional entities (such as law firms and health care practices), and individuals, in a variety of commercial matters, including general structure, contracts, employee and contractor documents, client relations and disputes, investor growth strategy, buy-sell agreements, acquisitions, real estate, and mediation.
At Bassford Remele, Jim helps clients with their most important legal matters.
Education
- University of Minnesota Law School, J.D., cum laude, 1975
- University of Minnesota, B.A., magna cum laude, 1972
Bar Admissions
- U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota
- Minnesota
Certifications
- Qualified Neutral under Rule 114 of the Minnesota General Rules of Practice for the District Courts for Mediation and Arbitration
Trials
- Antitrust trial involving allegations of a conspiracy to illegally increase prices for certain products. Settled after three months of trial.
- Insurance coverage trial involving hundreds of millions of dollars of insurance for claims of defective products.
- Securities trial involving alleged representations regarding financial products.
- Trial involving fire which destroyed a large commercial building, alleged to have been caused by negligent supervision by the company providing security for the building.
- Trial involving serious injuries alleged to have been caused by defective farm machinery.
- Trial in the United Kingdom involving death allegedly caused by regulated drug.
- Cases involving serious injuries sustained by minors driving all-terrain vehicles.
- Case involving alleged arson of large commercial building.
- Case involving explosion at paper mill.
- Case involving destruction of large commercial building allegedly caused by defective forklift.
- Cases involving allegations of death and injuries allegedly caused by pharmaceuticals.
- Class actions involving alleged defective consumer products.
Served as Special Master in Federal Court
Seminars
- Jim has spoken on a number of litigation topics at seminars and law schools.
Selected Presentations
- Law 101
- An Overall Approach to Product Liability (and other Litigation) and Insurance
- Post Investigative Legal Activities — Where Is The Case Going?
- Analyzing an Insurance Problem
- Trial Themes
- Product Liability Issues
Bar Associations
- Minnesota State Bar Association
- Solo Small Practice Experience
- Hennepin County Bar Association
Civic Involvement
- Jim has helped many clients who do not have the funds to hire a lawyer through the Children’s Law Center of Minnesota, the Cardozo Society legal clinic, Volunteer Lawyer’s Network, and Northside Clinic started by Jim Reece and his daughter, and many individuals separate from these organizations.
Honors & Awards
- Minnesota Super Lawyers list, Super Lawyers, 2006, 2009-2013
- Volunteer Attorney Award, Children’s Law Center of Minnesota
- North Star Lawyer, Minnesota State Bar Association
- Rated AV Preeminent® by Martindale-Hubbell®
- The highest rating for legal ability and ethical standards from members of the bar and judiciary
