Atty. James C. Prichard

Atty. James C. Prichard

Jim Prichard is Ball Janik LLP's Managing Partner and maintains a broad practice in all aspects of construction law. He is a leader in the firm’s growing regional and national practice, prosecuting and defending design and construction defect claims.

Portland Portland 27 yrs experience 27 year
Call (503) 676-6233 Book Appointment

Profile Summary

About James C. Prichard at a glance

James C. Prichard is a Managing Partner based in Portland, Oregon, practicing at Ball Janik LLP. They have 27+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1999. Their practice focuses on construction and litigation. Admitted to practice in Oregon Utah (1999), Washington (2000), and California Florida (2001). Educated at University of Oregon School of Law (J.D. Otto, 1999) and Indiana University Graduate Fellowship Political Theory and Policy Analysis University of Oregon (B.S. Political, 1995). Recognitions include BV Distinguished. Serands clients in Portland, OR and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • Jim Prichard is Ball Janik LLP's Managing Partner and maintains a broad practice in all aspects of construction law
  • He is a leader in the firm’s growing regional and national practice, prosecuting and defending design and construction defect claims
  • As plaintiff’s counsel, he has been instrumental in achieving some of the largest settlements in Oregon
  • He represents a wide range of clients in the Western states and Florida, including owners of single family residences, townhomes, condominiums, hotels, commercial buildings, manufacturing facilities, schools, and other public buildings
  • Mr. Prichard also defends developers, large general contractors, and home builders from design and construction defect claims, and works with these clients to develop and implement risk management practices
  • He is frequently retained to position such claims for insurance coverage, and to represent client interests when insurers appoint panel defense counsel
  • Mr. Prichard has successfully triggered insurance coverage on behalf of several policyholder clients, particularly home builders
  • Mr. Prichard’s practice extends to cases in the areas of public contract law, insurance recovery, construction cost overruns, bankruptcy, and real estate
  • He represents owners, design professionals, contractors, and material suppliers in mediations, arbitrations, trials, and appeals, and is often called on to help resolve time-sensitive disputes that arise during the course of construction projects
  • Mr. Prichard frequently represents material suppliers, contractors, and owners in prosecuting and defending payment claims, including construction lien and surety bond claims on both public and private projects
  • Before joining Ball Janik LLP, Mr. Prichard practiced at a prominent construction law boutique where he represented an international design-build contractor in a multi-million dollar cost overrun dispute arising from the construction of a semiconductor facility in Clark County, Washington
  • From 2001 through 2003, Mr. Prichard was the lead attorney in prosecuting approximately 400 avoidance and recovery claims on behalf of the liquidating agent in a Chapter 11 bankruptcy case titled In re Great Western Chemical Company
  • Mr. Prichard supervised the bankruptcy estate’s recovery of more than $5.8 million in value, which resulted in a dividend to unsecured creditors that far exceeded the liquidating agent’s early projections
  • Before law school, Mr. Prichard held a graduate fellowship at the Workshop in Political Theory and Policy Analysis, an interdisciplinary program at Indiana University combining research in law, political science, economics, public affairs, and anthropology
  • During law school, Mr. Prichard was a Lane County Circuit Court mediator and was a co-founder of the alternative dispute resolution student group
  • Mr. Prichard has authored numerous articles on construction and surety law, and is a frequent speaker at continuing education seminars, organization meetings, and professional conferences
  • Currently, Mr. Prichard serves on the Legal Committee and Associates Council of Associated General Contractors, and is active in Community Association Institute (CAI) state chapters where he practices
  • He is also a member of the American Bar Association’s Forum on the Construction Industry, and the Surety and Fidelity Law Committee of the ABA’s Tort and Insurance Practice Section
  • Honors The Best Lawyers in America©, 2017 Recognized by Portland Business Journal's2015 “Forty Under 40” Oregon Super Lawyers “Rising Stars” list, 2010–2014 Oregon Super Lawyers list, 2016

Practice Areas Explained

James C. Prichard's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases James C. Prichard handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Construction Law

James C. Prichard is one of 40,689 construction attorneys indexed nationally. Browse construction attorneys in Oregon →

Civil Litigation

Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.

James C. Prichard is one of 454,532 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in Oregon →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in Oregon

Practicing law in Oregon. Legal matters in Oregon are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Portland are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Oregon state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Oregon brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Oregon courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Looking for additional Oregon attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Portland or all attorneys in Oregon.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about James C. Prichard

Where is James C. Prichard's law office located?
James C. Prichard's law practice is located in Portland, Oregon. The firm is Ball Janik LLP. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does James C. Prichard handle?
James C. Prichard focuses on construction, litigation. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in Oregon.
How long has James C. Prichard practiced law?
James C. Prichard has 27+ years of legal experience and has been licensed since 1999.
Where did James C. Prichard go to law school?
James C. Prichard earned their education at (J.D. Otto, 1999); (B.S. Political, 1995).
How can I contact James C. Prichard for a consultation?
You can contact James C. Prichard directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has James C. Prichard received?
James C. Prichard's notable recognition includes: BV Distinguished.

Education

J.D. Otto
University of Oregon School of Law
- 1999
B.S. Political
Indiana University Graduate Fellowship Political Theory and Policy Analysis University of Oregon
- 1995

Awards

BV Distinguished

Bar Admissions

Oregon Utah
Admitted: 1999
Washington
Admitted: 2000
California Florida
Admitted: 2001

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