Warner-Smith-Harris PLC

The life of the law has not been logic: it has been experience. It is the spirit and not the form of law that keeps justice alive. A trial is the resolution of a dispute. Wherever Law ends, Tyranny begins. I consider trial by jury as the only anchor ever yet imagined by man, by which a government can be held to the principles of its constitution. The clearest way to show what the rule of law means to us in everyday life is to recall what has happened when there is no rule of law. The law is reason, free from passion. The law: it has honored us; may we honor it.

Attorneys

James M. Dunn

James M. Dunn • Of Counsel

Phone: 479-573-7212
Email: jdunn@warnersmith.com

Over the 30 years of his practice, Jim Dunn has focused his practice primarily as an insurance defense litigator and as a commercial litigator. Jim has tried numerous jury and non-jury cases to a decision. His successful defenses include an eight-day jury trial in a claim arising out of a traffic accident that killed five people. Jim handles personal injury and product liability claims, insurance and related claims, contract and trade secret disputes and other general litigation matters. Jim represents businesses of all sizes and individuals in certain cases. Although the bulk of Jim's work is as a defense lawyer, he also takes plaintiffs' cases that he finds especially compelling. Jim has obtained jury verdicts in, among others, a construction accident case and an attractive nuisance case. Jim has also utilized his commercial litigation experience in handling marriage dissolutions and the accompanying asset divisions.

Jim is a Past President of the Arkansas Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates, a trial lawyers organization composed of both plaintiff's and defense lawyers ,and now serves on its National Board. He is also Past President of the W. B. Putman American Inn of Court. Out of the office, Jim enjoys hiking and backpacking in Arkansas, the Southwest, and Rocky Mountain regions, and has written several newspaper articles on his adventure travels. He has also climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in 2007.

Education

  • University of Arkansas, J.D., 1974
  • Hendrix College, B.A., 1970

Bar Admissions

  • Arkansas, 1974
  • United States Supreme Court, 1986

Honors & Activities

  • Member (president, 1987-1988), Sebastian County Bar Association
  • Member (member, House of Delegates, 1985-1988), Arkansas Bar Association
  • Member, American Bar Association
  • Member National Board of Directors, American Board of Trial Advocates; President 2007, Arkansas Chapter
  • Associate Editor, Arkansas Law Review, 1973-1974
  • Master, American Inns of Court; President 2005-2006
  • Member, Delta Theta Phi