James J. Merkins

James ‘Jim’ Merkins is a partner at Lamb McErlane in the Litigation department. Jim focuses his practice in commercial litigation, construction law, and general business matters. He also manages estates, family law, criminal, and personal injury law matters.

Jim also serves as a Magisterial District Judge in Springfield and Upper Darby, PA. Judge Merkins hears both civil and criminal matters. The civil matters include contracts, torts, and landlord/tenant disputes. He also hears traffic cases, summary crimes, preliminary hearings, and sets bail in criminal cases.

Prior to joining Lamb McErlane, Jim was in private practice, including being a named partner at a Philadelphia area firm. His background also includes a role as general counsel for a large electrical contractor, where he was responsible for advising senior management on all aspects of sales and operations, including contract review, dispute resolution, and insurance coverage.

Jim began his career at Blank Rome, an international law firm. During law school Jim was a law clerk to Chief Justice Myron T. Steele of the Supreme Court of Delaware and a judicial intern to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

ADMISSIONS:

• Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
• Supreme Court of Delaware
• Supreme Court of New Jersey
• Eastern District of Pennsylvania
• District Court of Delaware
• District Court of New Jersey
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit

EDUCATION:

• Widener University Delaware Law School, JD, Magna cum laude
• Penn State University, BA

REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS:

• Represented electrical subcontractor in payment dispute on a large project for PATCO and the sale of assets from the electrical contractor to another, successfully litigated the case for nearly four years and obtained a favorable settlement on the third day of trial in NJ state court;
• Represented electrical subcontractor in payment dispute over floating solar array in NJ, including placing a mechanics lien and suit to enforce, resulting in receipt of full payment;
• Represented financial broker dealer based in Birmingham, AL, regarding claims against independent financial advisor based in PA;
• Represented waste hauler in public bid dispute against municipality;
• Represented subcontractor excavator against general contractor in Westchester County Supreme Court, NY, obtaining unanimous jury verdict for entire demand amount plus interest dated back to the breach of contract ($800k+);
• Represented solar photovoltaic developer in breach of contract suits against contractors in Massachusetts and Vermont state courts;
• Represented electrical contractor in complex construction litigation matters in state and federal courts in PA & NJ;
• Managed/defended insurance defense claims (WC, Auto, GL) for electrical contractor;
• Reviewed & negotiated contracts for electrical contractor

CURRENT AND PAST COMMUNITY SERVICE & AFFILIATIONS:

• Delaware County Magisterial District Judges Assoc., Past-President (2020)
• Delaware County Bar Association
• American Bar Association
• Radnor High School, Assistant Girls Soccer Coach
• Radnor Soccer Club, Coach

ADDRESS:

3405 West Chester Pike | Newtown Square, PA | 19073