Jim Sturdivant

Practice Areas

James R. "Jim" Sturdivant is a shareholder at Dentons in Birmingham, Alabama, where he is a member of the Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice and leads the Dentons Sirote White Collar and Government Investigations team. Jim represents and defends clients in criminal and white collar investigations and proceedings, including those brought by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Financial Regulatory Authority (FINRA), the United States Justice Department, the Alabama Attorney General, the United States Attorney, and local district attorneys. He routinely serves as a shield between clients and federal law enforcement agencies and Federal Special Agents, including the FBI, HHS, IRS and Department of Defense and affiliated agencies such as NCIS and Army CID.

A former federal prosecutor with an LL.M. in Tax Law, he represents individuals and corporate clients facing federal grand jury and law enforcement investigations, including securities fraud, wire fraud, bank fraud, health care fraud/antikickback, False Claims Act, and tax allegations. Additionally, Jim has extensive experience in successfully handling “Title IX” university disciplinary investigations/hearings involving allegations of student sexual misconduct. He also regularly interacts with the Alabama State Board of Medical Examiners and similar boards, assisting physicians and other medical professionals in both criminal and regulatory/licensing investigations.

Jim counsels businesses, professionals, governmental, and nonprofit organizations on strategies to avoid becoming the target of an investigation. He aggressively represents his clients during investigations and at trial as their relentless and exceptionally effective advocate. When clients are the target of an investigation, Jim’s goal is to offer discretion and a measure of control in what are often high-stakes situations. Jim frequently communicates with his clients, brings clarity to chaotic situations, negotiates with the entity making the allegations, and works to prevent disruptions to their lives and businesses.

In addition to his white collar practice, Jim’s state court criminal practice primarily focuses on alcohol and substance abuse issues. He also serves as Municipal Court Judge for the City of Vestavia Hills.

Prior to joining the Firm, Jim served as Assistant United States Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama from 1992–1995, representing the United States in a wide variety of civil cases and prosecuting numerous federal criminal cases. He also served as a lawyer for the United States Army in the Judge Advocate General's Corps (“JAG Corps”) at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland from 1988–1992 and was assigned as the sole defense counsel for the entire post from 1989–1992, representing soldiers and officers facing trial by court-martial or administrative separation actions.

Education