Dart Meadows | Litigation | Balch & Bingham

Education

West Virginia University College of Law

J.D., 1983, Order of the Coif
West Virginia University

B.A., 1979, Chemistry, magna cum laude

Bar Admissions

Georgia, 1983
West Virginia, 1983

What types of clients do you represent?

My clients are comprised of both publicly-traded and privately-held corporations. I represent several manufacturers and distributors of industrial woodworking machinery and power tools in product liability litigation.
How are you involved in your community?

I serve as President of the Georgia Defense Lawyers Association (“GDLA”), an association of over 1,000 lawyers, including sole practitioners and members of law firms of all sizes, who engage in litigation primarily for defendants in civil lawsuits. The GDLA is dedicated to, among other purposes, supporting and improving the civil defense bar, improving the adversary system of jurisprudence in the courts, eliminating court congestion and delay in litigation, and otherwise promoting improvements in the administration of justice.
What type of matters do you work on most often?

I spend about half of my time defending tort claims and suits for hospitals, manufacturers, and other companies where someone claims to have been injured as a result of negligence or a defective product. I spend the other half of my time counseling or defending companies in commercial litigation and real estate litigation matters.
What previous experiences, prior to your work at Balch, influence your practice?

I started playing competitive tennis when I was ten years old and continued playing national tournaments through the juniors and all four years at a D1 university. I taught tennis in the summers in college and was the assistant tennis coach at LSU before going to law school. During law school I started the West Virginia University Tennis Camp with the men’s tennis coach. Learning to compete and teach at a high level taught me how to deal with many challenges I face every day in litigation, including preparation, focus, dealing with adversity and figuring out ways to compete and win.

Select Matters

Summary judgment for manufacturing client in product liability case in Gwinnett County, Georgia on assumption of risk defense (July 2020)
Defense verdict in jury trial for hospitalist in a medical malpractice case in Cobb County State Court, Georgia, involving an unexpected heart attack where plaintiff alleged proper cardiac monitoring was not performed. Following a four-day jury trial the court ruled in the client’s favor. (May 2019)
Summary judgment for manufacturing client in product liability suit in federal district court in Brooklyn, NY. This was a sliding table saw case involving the amputation of several fingers. The trial court granted summary judgment in a 54 page order. (March 2019)
Dismissal for manufacturer in product liability action. Plaintiff suffered severe hand injuries when jaw chuck flew off of lathe made and sold by client. Following inspection and lab testing, suit was dismissed with no payment by manufacturer. (November 2018)
Dismissal for manufacturer in product liability action. Plaintiff struck in face from object flying up from table saw that was subject to recall. Following discovery the case was dismissed with no payment by manufacturer. (May 2018)
Defense verdict for manufacturer following arbitration trial involving dispute with dealer claiming $40,000,000 in damages. Award was $43,000. (April 2018)
Summary judgment for manufacturer in product liability action in federal district court in Philadelphia. (March 2016)
Dismissal following jury trial for manufacturer in product liability case in Riverhead NY (October 2015)
Defense verdict in jury trial for manufacturer in product liability case in St. Louis, Missouri, following mistrial. Plaintiff suffered head and facial injuries operating a horizontal panel saw. (May 2015)
Summary judgment affirmed by Georgia Court of Appeals in suit against insurance broker. Lockton Insurance Companies, Inc. et al v. APAC-Southeast, Inc., et al.; 297 Ga. App. 553, 677: Summary Judgment affirmed. (2009)
Defense verdict in jury trial for manufacturer in product liability case in Boston, Massachusetts in involving severe hand injuries. (2001)

Publications

News

Speaking Engagements

Credentials

Education

West Virginia University College of Law, J.D., 1983, Order of the Coif
West Virginia University, B.A., 1979, Chemistry, magna cum laude

Courts

Georgia Superior Court, 1983
Georgia State Courts, 1983
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia
U.S. District Court, Middle District of Georgia
Supreme Court of Georgia
U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit, 2006
U.S. District Court, Southern District of West Virginia
West Virginia Supreme Court
U.S. Supreme Court

Bar Admissions

Georgia, 1983
West Virginia, 1983

Professional Affiliations

Georgia Defense Lawyers Association, President
Atlanta Bar Association
American Bar Association
DRI - Lawyers Representing Business
Federation of Defense and Corporate Council, Vice-Chair, Product Liability Section

Awards & Accolades

The Best Lawyers in America^®, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, 1995 - present
Martindale-Hubbell, AV Preeminent, 30+ years
Top Rated Lawyer in Healthcare, American Media

James Dartlin Meadows

Select Matters

Publications

News

Speaking Engagements

Credentials