James R Swanson

As a commercial trial lawyer, Jim Swanson has particular experience in securities litigation, domestic and international arbitration, environmental litigation, and general commercial matters.

Jim accepts plaintiff and defense engagements. He is currently handling a major international arbitration over an interstate highway construction project in Pakistan, an oil spill case for a major oil company against a pipeline company, the claims by the City of Shreveport against various engineers and contractors, and several significant securities and breach of fiduciary duty cases.

• American Bar Foundation, Fellow

• International Society of Barristers, Member

• Louisiana Bar Foundation, Fellow

• New Orleans Bar Association, Member

• Baylor College of Medicine: Member, President’s Circle; Member, Board of Advisors

• Choice Foundation, Former Chairman

• Innocence Project New Orleans, Former Treasurer

• New Orleans Opera Association, Former Board Member

• Rivers Institute for Contemporary Art & Thought, Former Board Member

• The Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine, Representative for Xavier

• Xavier University of Louisiana Board of Trustees: Member, Executive Committee; Former Chairman, Investment Committee

Jim has handled numerous cases in which clients have received multimillion-dollar recoveries. Noteworthy matters include a jury verdict of $26 million against Tennessee Gas, a $26 million arbitration award against Securities America, a $40 million settlement following a full arbitration hearing against a major U.S. investment bank, a $30 million settlement of a case against a major oil refining company, several investment treaty arbitration in the tens of millions of dollars, and a settlement of claims against several major banks that totaled in excess of $1.5 billion shortly before the scheduled trial.

Tulane University Law School

J.D.

1984 - 1987

Recognized among the New Orleans Elite - Commercial Disputes (Band 1)

Legal 500

2026

Recognized as a "Litigation Star"

Benchmark Litigation

2026

Recognized for Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Environmental Law, Legal Malpractice Law – Defendants, Litigation – First Amendment, Litigation – Municipal, Litigation – Securities, and Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions – Defendants

The Best Lawyers in America®

2026

Recognized among the 500 Leading Lawyers in America, the 500 Leading Litigators in America, and the 500 Leading Plaintiff Financial Lawyers

Lawdragon

2026