James J. Cramer
A lifelong Johnson County resident, Mr. Cramer attended Shawnee Mission East High School before earning his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration, with highest distinction, from the University of Kansas in 1984. As an undergraduate, Jim served as Vice President of the student body, President of the Student Senate and received the Hilltopper and Class of 1913 Award as Outstanding Senior Male.
Jim attended Southern Methodist University School of Law in Dallas, Texas, as a Hatton W. Sumners Scholar. After serving as Editor-in-Chief of the law review, and as an officer of Barristers, Jim graduated with his Juris Doctorate degree in 1987. He has worked continuously with Payne & Jones, Chartered.
Mr. Cramer's product liability experience includes defending a carbon monoxide death case for an Ohio-based furnace manufacturer, defending multiple drug liability claims for a Japanese-based manufacturer of an amino acid supplement, and defending manufacturers such as Panasonic and Motorola in jury trials arising from fires allegedly caused by consumer products. Jim's trial and appellate experience in insurance cases include landmark decisions concerning coverage issues under homeowner's policies and sexual discrimination and harassment claims.
Mr. Cramer is admitted to practice before state courts in Kansas and Missouri, the United States District Court for the District of Kansas and the Western District of Missouri, and the Eighth and Tenth United States Circuit Courts of Appeals. Jim is a member of the bar associations for Kansas City, Johnson County, Missouri, Kansas, as well as the American Bar Association. He is also a member of the Kansas Association of Defense Counsel, the Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers, and the Defense Research Institute.
Mr.
Cramer is a member of the Hoard of Directors of the Johnson County Bar Foundation,
a 1988 graduate of Leadership Overland Park, and a recipient of the "Boss
of the Year" Award from the Johnson County Legal Secretaries Association
He is an active lecturer on various legal topics before civic groups, insurers,
and other lawyers attending legal education programs.
