James A. Mitchell focuses on criminal and civil litigation as well as regulatory matters within the securities industry. Jim's criminal representations encompass securities fraud, tax evasion, antitrust, commercial bribery, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act matters, government procurement fraud, money laundering, bank fraud, and environmental crime. He also handles a broad spectrum of civil litigation, including commercial contract disputes, defense of § 1983 civil rights claims, securities fraud, defense of claims made under New York’s Child Victims Act, and claims of employment discrimination and sexual harassment.
Beyond these traditional white collar matters, Jim has represented a woman charged with assault when her dog allegedly attacked another person, a well-known supermarket chain in a coupon fraud investigation, and a prominent recording artist in extensive bail litigation in the New York State appellate courts.
Civil matters in which Jim has been involved include participation in an arbitration over the renovation of a prominent New York hotel, the defense of several municipal officials accused of civil rights violations, and the representation of a national medical products manufacturer in a products liability suit.
Services
Experience
Representative Matters
Jim represents professionals in the financial, medical, and legal fields in high-profile matters. Specific criminal cases he has worked on include:
- The trial of a former executive charged by the New York County District Attorney in a corporate misconduct matter
- The trial of a criminal antitrust matter brought by the Department of Justice concerning the municipal bond industry
- Representation of a technology company in connection with allegations of government procurement fraud; the matter involved substantial litigation under the Classified Information Procedures Act
Professional Highlights
Professional Activities
New York City Bar Association
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, member, Criminal Justice Act Panel, 2005-present; past member, Committees on Professional and Judicial Ethics (1997-2000) and Criminal Advocacy (2001-2004)
Recognition & Accomplishments
Chambers USA, litigation: white-collar crime & government investigations (New York), 2018-2024; antitrust (New York), 2022-2024
The Legal 500, Antitrust - Civil litigation/class action - defense, 2022-2024
The Best Lawyers in America, Criminal Defense: White-Collar (New York), 2024, 2025
Speaking Engagements
Speaker, "Antitrust and the New Administration: Insights Into Enforcement and Policy, and What Companies Should Do Now to Prepare," Ballard Spahr webinar, December 3, 2020
Speaker, "The Trouble With Trebles," Ballard Spahr CLE Program, October 16, 2018
Speaker, "Everyday Antitrust Issues: You Don't Know What You Don't Know," Ballard Spahr CLE Program, October 12, 2017
Related Insights
Credentials
Education
University of Pennsylvania Law School (J.D. 1989, cum laude)
Member, Law Review; Member, Order of the Coif
University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School of Business (B.S. 1986, cum laude) and College of Arts & Sciences (B.A. 1986, cum laude)
Admissions
New York
U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit