James Craig
office: (502) 238-9905
email: jcraig@tachaulaw.com
Born: Louisville, Kentucky, 1978. Admitted to bar: Kentucky (2004). Admitted to practice: United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, United States District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Kentucky and Southern District of Indiana. Education: The Catholic University of America (B.A., Politics, magna cum laude, with distinction, 2001), Phi Beta Kappa; Vanderbilt University Law School (J.D., 2004). Executive Problem Editor, Vanderbilt University Law School Moot Court Board.
Associate, Frost Brown Todd LLC, Louisville, Kentucky (2004 - 2006); Associate, Tachau Maddox Hovious & Dickens PLC (2006 - 2007). Member: Kentucky, Louisville, and American Bar Associations.
Practice Areas: Business, Fiduciary, Employment, Real Estate and General Civil Litigation; Alternative Dispute Resolution.
Litigation Experience
James has based his litigation practice in Louisville since he was admitted to the bar. Before joining Tachau Meek, James worked with the region's largest firm on matters before Kentucky state courts and federal courts in Kentucky and Southern Indiana. At Tachau Meek, James continues his practice in complex commercial litigation and has gained first chair federal trial experience.
Before joining Tachau Meek, James led discovery efforts on behalf of a local investor who challenged an out-of-state firm's conduct during an investment offering. In that case, James deposed the firm's president and chief financial officer. In banking law, James has prosecuted a declaratory judgment action on behalf of a regional bank against its former president and a competitor, arguing that letters of credit were unenforceable under the Uniform Commercial Code because they were forged by the president. In health care law and alternative dispute resolution matters, he has assisted in an arbitration proceeding that required extensive review and argument regarding Kentucky's Certificate of Need regulatory scheme. James's non-profit work has included successful defense of a local school whose charitable gaming license was challenged by the Kentucky Department of Charitable Gaming.
James has continued his commercial litigation practice at Tachau Meek and represents several national banks. His victories include dismissal of hard-fought Truth In Lending Act claims and affirmative judgments in favor of lenders and their closing agents. In general civil litigation matters, James was part of the firm's efforts that led to resolution of a large fraud and fiduciary duty case that included depositions of more than 100 witnesses. In real estate litigation matters, James has obtained summary judgment, successfully defending a real estate closing firm's business practices under Kentucky's conveyance statutes.
James has also worked on behalf of Tachau Meek clients who are plaintiffs. In employment and trade secret litigation, James has worked on obtaining emergency injunctions to prevent misappropriation of trade secrets and other confidential information. He has assisted other firm clients when forced to file lawsuits to recover damages caused by negligent business practices.
After work, James is active in the Louisville community. In March 2008, Mayor Jerry Abramson appointed James to the Citizens Commission on Police Accountability, a board that provides citizen oversight of investigations by the Metro Police in all police shooting cases and incidents involving loss of life due to police action. James is also an associate member of the Louis D. Brandeis American Inn of Court, an organization dedicated to the promotion of excellence in legal advocacy and a member of the Louisville Bar Briefs Editorial Board, the organization which produces the local bar's monthly newsletter. James also serves as the chairman of his church's finance committee.
Before law school, James served as a political assistant to the Rt. Hon. Ben Bradshaw, a Member of Parliament from Exeter in the British House of Commons. James is married and has a young son.