Atty. James J. Walsh
Mr. Walsh is the Chair of Bodman's Appellate Law Practice Group and has broad litigation experience at both the trial and appellate levels.
Profile Summary
About James J. Walsh at a glance
James J. Walsh is a business, litigation, and appellate attorney based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, practicing at Bodman PLC. Admitted to practice in Michigan, State Bar of Michigan. Educated at Louisiana State University (J.D.) and Louisiana State University (B.A.). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Appellate Practice (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Litigation (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice: (2026). Serands clients in Ann Arbor, MI and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About
- Mr. Walsh is the Chair of Bodman's Appellate Law Practice Group and has broad litigation experience at both the trial and appellate levels
- Representing both plaintiffs and defendants, Mr. Walsh has obtained successful jury verdicts in numerous cases
- He has argued more than 100 appeals in both state and federal appellate courts
- Among the appeals Mr. Walsh has argued successfully are Shepherd Montessori Center Milan v
- Ann Arbor Charter Twp., 486 Mich. 311 (2010), McCart v
- J. Walter Thompson USA, Inc., 437 Mich. 109 (1991), Calhoun Cty. v
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, 297 Mich
- App 1 (2012), and Harris v
- Auto Club Ins
- Ass’n, 494 Mich. 462 (2013)
- Mr. Walsh served as lead litigation attorney for the Michigan Insurance Commissioner in the rehabilitation of the United States branch of Confederation Life Insurance Company (CLIC), a Canadian insurer
- The rehabilitation of the U.S. branch of Confederation Life, which had liabilities of $6 billion, was the largest insolvency proceeding and most successful of any foreign insurer ever handled by a United States court
- Despite an initial deficiency of over $1 billion, all policy holders of Confederation Life were paid in full
- In addition to representing the Commissioner in the rehabilitation plan confirmation hearing, pursuing claims on behalf of CLIC’s U.S. branch and defending claims against the estate, Mr. Walsh obtained an injunction prohibiting policyholder suits against CLIC’s auditors, officers and others, to preserve those claims for the estate
- Mr. Walsh also argued the appeal that upheld the injunction, Comm'r of Ins. v
- Albino, 225 Mich
- App. 547
- 572 N.W.2d 21 (1997)
- In addition to his work on Confederation Life, Mr. Walsh has more than 35 years of experience with complex litigation
- He has represented Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan, Comerica Bank, and other major financial institutions in class action cases
- Mr. Walsh has represented the largest outdoor advertising companies within the State of Michigan for many years and also serves as general counsel to the Michigan Outdoor Advertising Association
- Mr. Walsh is AV® Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
- Before joining Bodman, he was a law clerk for two judges on the Michigan Court of Appeals
Practice Areas Explained
James J. Walsh's Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases James J. Walsh 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 J. Walsh is one of 501,317 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in Michigan →
Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.
James J. Walsh is one of 454,532 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in Michigan →
Appellate attorneys for civil and criminal appeals at state and federal court.
James J. Walsh is one of 86,319 appellate attorneys indexed nationally. Browse appellate attorneys in Michigan →
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in Michigan
Practicing law in Michigan. Legal matters in Michigan are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Ann Arbor are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Michigan state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Michigan 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 Michigan courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Looking for additional Michigan attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Ann Arbor or all attorneys in Michigan.
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