James Austen is of counsel at Starr Austen & Miller LLP, concentrating on construction litigation and mediation. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Ball State University, Muncie, Ind., and a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from Indiana University School of Law in Indianapolis.
James served as secretary/treasurer of Cass County (Indiana) Bar Association from 1986 to 1987 and as vice president of Cass County Bar Association from 1987 to 1990. He was also president of Cass County Bar Association from 1991 to 1993, and is a member of the Indiana State Bar Association and American Bar Association, 1981 to present.
In addition, James was admitted to the U.S. District Court Northern District of Indiana and the U.S. District Court Southern District of Indiana in 1981. In 1985, he was admitted to the 7th Circuit Court. He served as County Deputy Prosecutor in Cass County, Ind., in 1986.
James served as associate editor for Indiana Law Review in 1981 and was voted an Indiana Super Lawyer in 2005.
James has published articles on insurance law, residential leasing law, uninsured and underinsured motorist cases and coverage issues, techniques for taking depositions, landlord liability and trial tactics.
James is a frequent faculty member for the Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum. He also serves on the board of directors of the Logansport Emmaus Mission Center and regularly does pro bono work for Lafayette Legal Services, Inc.
Represented a police officer in a complaint brought under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, civil rights violations.
A federal court action involving a highway construction accident.
A state court action involving catastrophic injuries suffered by a teenager in an electric shock accident.
Participated in an oral argument on behalf of its client before the Indiana Supreme Court.
A case in the Northern District of Indiana federal court involving a claim against a trucking company.
Please note that results of past cases cannot guarantee future success. To our present and future clients, we commit our best efforts. However, because each case involves many different factors, results will always be different from case-to-case. Cases that may seem similar to the cases listed here are not guaranteed to have the same or similar result. Each case is dependent upon its own set of facts and the only common factor in all the cases summarized here and throughout our website is that Starr Austen & Miller, LLP represented the client.
Discourage litigation. Persuade your neighbors to compromise whenever you can. As a peacemaker the lawyer has superior opportunity of being a good man. There will still be business enough. - Abraham Lincoln
