James J. Scanlon

James J. Scanlon concentrates his practice in criminal defense and complex commercial litigation, with an emphasis in high stakes matters involving the defense of individuals, government officials, corporate officers, and corporate board members. Jim represents individuals in the defense of major felony crimes including wire and mail fraud, homicide, aggravated assault, drug trafficking, robbery, crimes involving the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, and complex commercial fraud involving Medicare and IRS matters. He has tried felony cases to verdict in both federal and state courts and presently serves as Civil Justice Act Panel counsel in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

In his civil litigation practice, Jim represents businesses and corporations in disputes involving shareholders, corporate governance issues, breach of contract, and breach of fiduciary duty claims. A large portion of his practice includes the representation of governments, elected government officials, and municipal employees in the defense of Section 1983 claims in federal court and he represents attorneys, accountants, stockbrokers, architects, and engineers in the defense of professional liability claims. Prior to joining Norris McLaughlin, P.A., Jim served as the chief trial attorney for a boutique law firm in Northeastern Pennsylvania and he presently serves as General Counsel at Keystone College located in LaPlume, Pennsylvania.

In addition to his trial experience, Jim regularly assists clients in navigating public procurement, contracting, and the acquisition of government licenses and permits at both the state and federal levels. He also provides legal counsel to educational institutions and non-profit entities in compliance with federal, state and administrative law.

Jim frequently advises corporations, business entities, and educational institutions in disputes arising from commercial transactions as well as providing strategic counsel regarding securities and construction contracts, merger and acquisition agreements, commercial paper transactions, secured transactions, and commercial real estate transactions.

Jim received his J.D. from the Boston University School of Law and earned his B.A. from Villanova University. After graduating law school, he served as a law clerk to the Honorable Richard P. Conaboy, United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania and Chairman, United States Sentencing Commission. He is a Senior Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America and holds a Martindale Hubbell® AV Preeminent® peer review rating. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. Click here to review award methodology.