James E. Looper, Jr
Biography
James Looper serves as Co-Managing Partner for our Nashville office. He is currently licensed in Georgia, Tennessee, and Kentucky. In addition to being licensed in a number of states, James handles complex litigation as a part of the National Trial Counsel team across the country. James’ practice is centered on medical-related issues, complex litigation, alternative dispute resolution, and health care, and he has had numerous jury trials in multiple states.
Prior to attending law school, James attended graduate school in pharmacology and medical school. Upon graduating from law school, James began a general litigation practice in Dalton, Georgia and in 1999 relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, where he joined HBS and began to focus his practice on medical issues. He relocated to the Nashville office in 2006 and has been there ever since.
In addition to being an experienced litigator, James understands and appreciates alternative dispute resolution. As a Rule 31 certified mediator in Tennessee, James is available to help you resolve your case outside the court room.
James routinely speaks at a number of continuing education programs and is involved in several professional organizations. In addition, he is actively involved in the community serving on the board of the Wang foundation for Sight Relief and the board of the Hospital Hospitality House, including two terms as Chairman of the Board.
James currently serves as the assistant chair of the firm’s medical malpractice practice group. He has received numerous awards including being listed as one of the leaders in Tennessee health care. Since 2012, Nashville Medical News InCharge Healthcare has regularly named James to the list of key decision makers in Nashville’s health care industry. James is also AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rated™ on Martindale-Hubbell.
Experience
James has tried health care cases in multiple states, including long-term care cases. He has obtained successful results for his clients in jury trials, motion practice, and alternative dispute resolution. Thanks to his medical background, James has a unique understanding of the challenges faced by long term care facilities and their employees. This allows him to work more closely with these professionals for the best possible outcome.
James offers general mediation services. He is certified as a Rule 31 mediator in Tennessee, and his practice has included experience in a multitude of mediation settings as an advocate and as a mediator. He offers alternatives to litigation in an environment which facilitates effective compromise and decision making empowerment as a neutral. Clients can look forward to being fully engaged and involved in resolving their own disputes and matters using a cost-efficient alternative to litigation.
James’ medical background along with his work in all of the firm’s health care related practice groups serves him well in the unique role of correctional health care representation. James has an excellent understanding of the professional negligence interplay with the constitutional issues presented by §1983. He has successfully defended all varieties of correctional health care cases, both in motion practice and trial.
James’ medical and transactional experience comes together in his successful representation of dental practices. His expertise in providing sound legal advice in the day-to-day legal matters encountered in a dental practice are well recognized. These matters include patient consent forms, lease agreements, independent contractor arrangements, landlord tenant issues, and all healthcare-related issues encountered in dental practice including liability issues and claims of professional negligence.
James comes from a medical background and represents health care clients on numerous aspects of their business. In addition to his involvement in the litigation of various medical legal issues, James advises his clients on issues ranging from HIPAA to EMTALA and both has represented and continues to represent his clients in the areas of peer review, privileging, credentialing, state board investigations, and other licensing-related issues. James also assists on hospital ethics committees and mental health commitment issues.
James has a background in medicine and focuses his practices on the defense of health care professionals and entities in professional liability suites. He zealously represents his clients in all phases in the litigation process, including pre-trial motions, alternative dispute resolution, trial, and appeal. James handles cases ranging from dental malpractice to birth trauma. Additionally, James leads a team of experienced litigators who handle prison health issues, including malpractice and 1983 compliance.
James has defended a wide spectrum of manufacturers in products liability actions including cases involving pharmaceuticals and medical devices. He also handles catastrophic exposure matters and FDA reporting and investigations.
Credentials
Admitted
State Courts:
- Georgia
- Kentucky
- Montana
- Tennessee
U.S. District Courts:
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia
- U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee
- U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee
U.S. Courts of Appeals:
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
U.S. Supreme Court
Education
- J.D., Mercer University, 1996
- Ph.D., Pharmacology, University of South Carolina, 1990
- B.A., History, Furman University, 1988
- B.S., Biology, Furman University, 1988
Memberships
- American Society for Healthcare Risk Management
- DRI
- Economic Club of Nashville
- Georgia Defense Lawyers Association
- Nashville Bar Association
- Nashville Claims Association
- Tennessee Bar Association
- Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility
- Tennessee Hospital Association
Recognition
- The Best Lawyers in America®, Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants; Best Lawyers®; 2024-2025
- AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rated™, Martindale-Hubbell
Publications
James has numerous publications and presentations. He has published in legal and medical sources and has presented to insurance, legal, and medical groups.