James Carlos McFall

Biography

James Carlos McFall’s practice focuses on media, sports, entertainment, and complex commercial litigation, including cases of alleged fraud, tortious interference, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, and theft of trade secrets. James also has significant experience representing large national banks and other financial institutions in a variety of matters, including multimillion-dollar disputes. He has represented lenders, corporate officers, and corporate directors in high-stakes corporate defense cases involving claims for breach of fiduciary duty and fraud.

James is experienced in all phases of litigation from investigation to trial, including depositions, preparing fact and expert witnesses to testify at trial and in depositions, arguing various evidentiary and dispositive motions, and making the opening statement and closing arguments to juries. In the fall of 2016, James tried a two-week jury trial involving claims of fraud and breach of fiduciary duty with respect to a real estate investment. The jury returned a verdict in favor of Jackson Walker’s client and awarded the client damages in excess of $12 million.

In other First Amendment media, and entertainment litigation, James has represented television networks, newspapers, journalists, internet publishers, film directors, and producers in cases of libel, defamation, and misappropriation of likeness in California and Texas. He has significant experience litigating disputes and arguing motions under the journalist’s shield law, the federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), state open records and meetings laws, and state anti-SLAPP statutes.

James’ sports and entertainment litigation experience includes the representation of professional athletes and professional sports franchises in commercial disputes. James also successfully defended the writer, director, and producer of the 2015 film Carter High, which chronicles the experiences of members of the storied 1988 David W. Carter High School football team leading-up to and following the team’s 1988 state championship victory, in a misappropriation of likeness claim filed by individuals depicted in the film.

During law school, James was a legal extern for Judge Jeremy Fogel of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.

Education

B.A., Stanford University
M.A., Stanford University
J.D., Washington University School of Law

• Senior Editor, Washington University Law Review

Bar Admissions

Texas, 2012
California, 2018