James R. Bartimus

James Bartimus founded the firm in 1977 and has devoted the last 40 years to representing plaintiffs nationwide in complex medical negligence and pharmaceutical cases.

Jim is Fellow of International Academy of Trial Lawyers, American College of Legal Medicine, The Summit Council. Jim is past President of the International Society of Barristers, Civil Justice Foundation, Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys, KC Metropolitan Bar Association, KC Metropolitan Bar Foundation, Missouri Institute for Justice, regional chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates, and UMKC Law Foundation.

Jim Bartimus grew up in Belton Missouri and was inducted into the Belton High School Hall of Fame. He was chosen Ingrams Top 250 Business Leaders, Man of the Year by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, was presented with the Compassion for the Homeless by City Union Mission, UMKC Alumni Achievement Award, and for his work on the KCMBAs Voice of Justice program he was awarded the Acorn Award from Missouri Humanities Council. He and his wife Dana founded The DanaJames Kids Foundation and are active with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Foundation. Jim is on the Board of the Kids and Cars Organization, past Board member of Center for Practical Bioethics, past Board member of the University of Kansas City Trustees, and is active with LEAP (Lawyers Encouraging Academic Performance).

Jim shares his experience and knowledge by teaching at the University of Missouri at Kansas City School of Law, UMKC School of Nursing, and speaking/presenting at more than 100 continuing legal and medical education events through the United States, Europe, and Australia.

Jim Bartimus has been honored many times over the years including UMKC Alumni Achievement Award 2014;
Martindale-Hubbell, 25+ years AV Preeminent Rating, since 1985; Litigator of the Year, Kansas City, 2010 Best Lawyers;
Missouri Lawyers Weekly, Best Medical Negligence Lawyer in Missouri;
Best Lawyers in America (more than 12 years running); Kansas Citys The Best of the Bar (each year since inception)
Dean of the Trial Bar, Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association
SuperLawyers of Missouri and Kansas
Presidents Award, University of Missouri Law Foundation, 1996
The Belli Society
Wiedemann Wysocki National Finance Council Award (ATLA) 2006
Who’s Who Worldwide
Who’s Who in American Law
Who’s Who in Kansas City
Strathmores Whos Who
KCMBA Presidential Recognition Award
William P. Borland Award, Law Foundation, University of Missouri KC
Decade Award, Law Foundation, University of Missouri KC
The Association of Trial Lawyers of America Work Horse Award,
“Best Up and Coming Lawyer”, Kansas City, Missouri TOWN SQUIRE MAGAZINE, 1982
Finalist, National Appellate Advocacy, 1977
Moot Court Board, University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Law
Law Review, University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Law
Dean’s List, University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Law
Senior Life Fellow, American Board of Trial Attorneys