James R. Safley
Experience
- Has trial and appellate experience in complex areas of business litigation, including defense of major class actions, antitrust, RICO, trade associations, real estate, lender liability, securities law, equipment leasing and other commercial disputes.
- Has tried or settled many antitrust cases throughout the United States over the past 30 years.
- Has actively represented the casualty and health insurance industry in antitrust and RICO class actions, constitutional challenges and regulatory proceedings.
Outside Experience
- Law Clerk to the Honorable Miles Lord, U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota (1968-1969)
Selected Results*
Lead counsel defending Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota in the Tow Distributing class action lawsuit in Minnesota. Settled a $400 million claim for $41 million (including $30 million previously approved for distribution by the Minnesota Commerce Department).
Defense counsel who argued motion to dismiss RICO class action lawsuit brought against workers compensation insurers in the Southern District of Florida (Miami Division), which resulted in dismissal of all RICO claims with prejudice.
Lead counsel in the workers compensation reinsurance cases in Minnesota, which resulted in the recovery of $700 million in excess premiums for the insurance industry.
Lead counsel prosecuting casualty insurer's claim for injunctive relief against Minnesota Commissioner of Commerce to require adherence to bid process.
Defense of numerous insurance companies and corporate clients in antitrust, RICO and other class action litigation in federal and state courts throughout the country.
Defense of Minnesota health insurer in ERISA class action lawsuit.
Representation of Colonial Pacific Leasing Company in defending RICO class actions and other lawsuits before the MDL Panel and in multidistrict litigation in Tampa, Florida.
Lead counsel representing Waldorf Corporation in prosecuting a lender liability suit against G.E. Capital.
Lead counsel prosecuting antitrust claims of Glen Eden Hospital against health insurer in Michigan.
Lead counsel defending the FDIC in a lender liability lawsuit in Minnesota.
Lead counsel in defense of antitrust lawsuit against Minneapolis Association of REALTORS®, securing a defense verdict following nine week trial.
Lead counsel representing the largest unsecured creditor in the Flight Transportation Corporation securities litigation in Minnesota.
Prosecution of securities claims of the IDS Mutual Funds in the Central Bank case in Colorado and the Nakornthai Strip Mill case in Minnesota.
Prosecution of numerous wrongful termination lawsuits on behalf of dealers/distributors against suppliers..
Memberships
- Duke University School of Law, Board of Visitors, 2004 to present date
Bar Admissions
- Minnesota
- U.S. Court of Appeals, D.C. Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
- U.S. Supreme Court
Education
- Duke University School of Law, J.D. (1968), Student Editorial Assistant for Law and Contemporary Problems
- University of Iowa, B.A., Political Science and Psychology, Phi Beta Kappa
Articles
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Shutts Meets the Baby Shermans: Considerations Affecting Choice of Federal or State Court for the Prosecution of Antitrust Class Actions
The Sedona Conference Journal, vol. 2
(Fall 2001)