LAWYER PROFILE
James Rocap III

James Rocap III

USA 2026

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Ranked in 2 practice areas

About

Provided by Steptoe LLP

Practice Areas

Insurance & Reinsurance

Career

Over the course of his 46-year career, Jim Rocap has been involved in high profile, major criminal and civil litigation disputes. He is best known for his representation of major casualty and property insurers in major disputes over coverage for claims arising out of asbestos, tobacco, silica, lead paint, high-decibel noise, dioxin, and environmental contamination. More recently, he was centrally involved on behalf of insurers in coverage disputes over sports-related brain injury claims (concussions), large commercial property loss and business interruption claims, and the applicability of the hostile acts (war) exclusion to cyberattacks. Jim has also served as an arbitrator.

Jim has now turned his focus entirely to public service. For over 17 years, Jim chaired the firm's Pro Bono Committee, and generously dedicates time and talents to a number of pro bono initiatives. Throughout his professional career, he acted as lead attorney in two separate representations of death row inmates, and regularly provided legal services to persons experiencing homelessness through the Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless. Jim is continuing his work on behalf of Legal Clinic clients. He also serves as president of the Legal Clinic Board and as secretary of the DC Access to Justice Foundation. Since April 2019, Jim has served as the president of the Historical Society of the DC Circuit, a 501(c)(3) organization formed in 1990 to help preserve the history of the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit and the US District Court for the District of Columbia.

Professional Memberships

President, Historical Society of the District of Columbia Circuit

Board President, Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless

Board Secretary, Access to Justice Foundation

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Chambers Guide to the USA

Insurance: Insurer - District of Columbia

Senior Statesperson
Senior Statespeople

Individual Editorial
James Rocap maintains a strong reputation for his work representing insurers in complex disputes. His experience includes matters relating to property damage, injury claims and cyber losses.

Insurance: Dispute Resolution: Insurer - USA - Nationwide

Senior Statesperson
Senior Statespeople

Individual Editorial
James Rocap maintains a market-leading practice, primarily focused on acting on behalf of international insurance companies in environmental, personal injury and toxic tort class action disputes.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Jim is an extraordinarily fine lawyer.

    Insurance: InsurerChambers Guide to the USA
  • Jim is an extraordinarily fine lawyer.

    Insurance: Dispute Resolution: InsurerChambers Guide to the USA

Ranked Individuals at Steptoe LLP (94)

California

District of Columbia

Illinois

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