James H. Fisher

• State Bar of Michigan, Champion of Justice Award, 2020; Mr. Fisher received this award primarily due to his efforts to improve indigent defense systems throughout the state of Michigan. 
• Grand Rapids Magazine
  • "Top Lawyers," Mediation, 2020, 2022-2023
• State Bar of Michigan, Michael Franck Award, 2012; In presenting this award, the State Bar of Michigan said of Jim “As a prosecutor, private attorney, and judge, Fisher’s passion for efficiency, fairness, and respect have earned him praise from lawyers on both sides of the aisle, as well as from those in need, and the indigent.”
• One, of two, Michigan judges selected by the State Court Administrator to be trained as a trainer in Evidence Based Sentencing Practices at the National Judicial College, 2009
• Recognized by the Michigan Supreme Court for Management Excellence, 1999

Jim’s current practice is primarily mediation and arbitration. His mediations involve Divorce; Personal Injury; Medical and Legal malpractice; and Real Estate, Construction, Contract and Estate disputes. He has also arbitrated commercial claims and divorce cases. These assignments are primarily private and confidential, but many have involved claims of 10 to over 100 million dollars, and Jim has extensive experience in the analysis and evaluation of valuations of closely held businesses. He also served on the Trust and Investment Committees as a Director of Hastings City Bank, so he has extensive experience in those areas, as well.

Jim was appointed as Chair of the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission by Governor Snyder in 2014, and before that he chaired the Governor’s Indigent Defense Advisory Commission. He has developed extensive experience in the area of attorney compensation, and he has served as an expert witness in disputes involving attorney fees. As a judge, he ruled on issues of attorney fees on countless occasions.

As a Circuit Judge for 16 years, Jim presided over a wide range of cases, involving all manner of disputes. One of his more prominent cases was Insurance Institute of Michigan, et al v Commissioner of the Office of Financial and Insurance Services, a dispute involving several hundred million dollars and insurance underwriting affecting all casualty insurance rates in Michigan. Jim’s opinion was eventually adopted by the Michigan Supreme Court in a landmark decision regarding insurance underwriting. Another prominent case of Jim’s was Reynolds v Bureau of State Lottery. Jim’s opinion in that case had the effect of outlawing political bingo, a decision which was affirmed by the Court of Appeals.

In his judicial career Jim presided over more than 20,000 cases and innumerable trials. He developed a reputation for rendering thoughtful decisions without delay. Jim was also a visionary in the area of court reform as Chief Judge of the Barry County Trial Court, and he was recognized as a leader in court management. Following his retirement from the bench, he served for two years as a consultant to the Michigan Supreme Court, a project funded by a grant from the State Justice Institute which Jim wrote and implemented. Through this project, many local courts across the state developed strategic plans to improve their services.

Jim started his career as an assistant prosecuting attorney, and at the age of 28 he became the youngest Prosecuting Attorney in the state. He tried many cases during his career as a prosecutor, and secured a first degree murder conviction in his last trial as Prosecutor. He continued his career with 15 years in private practice, handling a wide range of cases. In 1987 he secured an acquittal for a client charged with double Negligent Homicide as a result of a novel defense predicated on the failure of the victims to use their seat-belts. This case garnered national publicity, and was mentioned in The National Law Journal, The New York Times, CBS News, and many other publications.