Atty. James D. "Jim" Vail
Jim Vail joined the Firm in 1979 and has been a Partner since 1986. He served as the Firm's Managing Partner from 1996 through 2019.
Profile Summary
About James D. "Jim" Vail at a glance
James D. "Jim" Vail is a business, real estate, litigation, and health care attorney based in Cleveland, Ohio, practicing at Schneider Bell. Admitted to practice in Ohio, Ohio State Bar Association. Educated at Case Western Reserve University (J.D., 1979) and Case Western Reserve University (B.A., 1975). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Litigation (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Corporate Law (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Health Care Law (2026). Serands clients in Cleveland, OH and the surrounding metropolitan area.
Want to Get Service From This Attorney?
Sign up free and choose one of the two methods below.
Have a legal question? Sign up free, submit it through the Ask the Attorney module and receive a focused answer from a specialist.
- Free to ask a question
- Answers from specialist attorneys
- Optional private / anonymous question
Request an online video meeting or an in-person consultation at the attorney's office. Pick a time that works for you and share the details securely.
- Online video meeting
- In-person at the attorney's office
- Secure messaging and payment
About
- Jim Vail joined the Firm in 1979 and has been a Partner since 1986
- He served as the Firm's Managing Partner from 1996 through 2019
- Jim primarily counsels businesses, nonprofit and health care organizations in all aspects of their operations, including formations, mergers and organizations, joint ventures, contracting, and succession planning
- Jim argued a case before the United States Supreme Court where he obtained a unanimous favorable decision
- Spectrum Sports, Inc. v
- McQuillan, 506 U.S. 447 (1992)
- Jim has appeared before courts at all levels in Ohio, as well as various federal district courts, and the Sixth and Ninth Federal Circuit Courts of Appeal
- Jim currently serves on the board of directors of the Center for Community Solutions
- He was previously a member of the Cleveland Heights Charter Review Commission, and has served on several boards of directors including Family Connections, Ingenuity Festival, Heights Parent Center, Cleveland Heights/University Heights Public Library, and Reaching Heights
- Jim has lived in Cleveland Heights for more than 40 years and is active in several Cleveland Heights organizations
Practice Areas Explained
James D. "Jim" Vail's Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases James D. "Jim" Vail handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.
Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.
James D. "Jim" Vail is one of 501,317 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in Ohio →
Real estate attorneys handle home purchases, sales, commercial transactions, title disputes, and landlord-tenant matters.
James D. "Jim" Vail is one of 316,149 real estate attorneys indexed nationally. Browse real estate attorneys in Ohio →
Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.
James D. "Jim" Vail is one of 454,532 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in Ohio →
Health care attorneys for HIPAA, Medicare, Medicaid, regulatory compliance, and medical licensing matters.
James D. "Jim" Vail is one of 66,735 health care attorneys indexed nationally. Browse health care attorneys in Ohio →
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in Ohio
Practicing law in Ohio. Legal matters in Ohio are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Cleveland are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Ohio state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Ohio 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 Ohio courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Looking for additional Ohio attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Cleveland or all attorneys in Ohio.
Frequently Asked
Common questions about James D. "Jim" Vail
Where is James D. "Jim" Vail's law office located?
What practice areas does James D. "Jim" Vail handle?
Where did James D. "Jim" Vail go to law school?
How can I contact James D. "Jim" Vail for a consultation?
What awards or recognition has James D. "Jim" Vail received?
Practice Areas
Education
Awards
Bar Admissions
Reviews
No reviews yet.