In Jim Powell’s life, history skipped a generation then repeated itself.

Just like his grandfather, Attorney James J. Powell, Sr., nearly 70 years before, at age 14, Jim found himself the man of the house when his father, Attorney James J. Powell, Jr., died at age 46. He went to work in the factories to help support his mother and four younger brothers.

The experience forever changed his outlook, left him with a lasting respect for blue-collar workers, and shaped the way he practices law.

“I know how the working man thinks, I know how the guy in the factory thinks, because I was one of them,” Jim says. “I think it made me a much better man because I understand people and I never think I’m better than anyone else.”

Jim was born in Wales, Great Britain, while his father, a decorated war hero, was serving in World War II. Before his father was discharged from the Army, Jim and his Scots-Welsh mother traveled back to the family homestead in Minooka built by his grandfather, James J. Powell, Sr.

After spending an idyllic childhood in Minooka, Jim graduated from Central High School and earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Scranton. He went on to earn his Juris Doctorate from Catholic University Law School in Washington, D.C. and in 1970, returned to Scranton to practice law with his uncle, Christopher Powell. As instilled and practiced by the Powells before him, he believes in “blind loyalty to his clients, family, and friends.”

“The best part about being a lawyer is the satisfaction of representing the little guy against all odds and giving him a chance at justice,” Jim says.

He’s served as Chairman of the Disciplinary Board of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, the arm of the Supreme Court that oversees and disciplines the 80,000 attorneys in the Commonwealth. In that capacity, he chaired the Disciplinary Review Board, managed five offices, and oversaw a staff of 29 prosecutors, 50 administrative personnel, investigators and others.

He has handled thousands of personal injury and workers’ compensation cases in his very successful career as a Trial Lawyer and has always found time to do Pro-Bono work. His clients always come first, whether or not there is a possible monetary gain for him and his firm.

He is proud of his name James J. Powell which name is synonymous with the law in Pennsylvania for the last 116 years.

Apart from his practice, Jim is an avid big-game hunter. He enjoys taking his children on hunting trips all over the world. He says, “Now is the time for my grandchildren.” He and his wife, Catherine, live in Springbrook Township and have three children, James Jr., Shawn, and Kelly.

Education & Credentials

• University of Scranton, Bachelor of Science, 1966
• Catholic University of America, Juris Doctorate, 1970; Phi Alpha Delta
• Admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar, 1970
• Lackawanna Bar Association, Member – Chairman, Fee Dispute Committee, 1985-1986; Delegate to Pennsylvania Bar Association, 1999-Present
• The American Association for Justice (formerly the Association of Trial Lawyers of America)
• Pennsylvania Association for Justice (formerly the Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association), Board of Governors, 1985-1988
• Northeastern Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association

Public Service

• Lackawanna County Public Defender, 1973-1978
• Court Administrator of the District Justices of Lackawanna County, 1978-1987
• Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania – Member, 1985-1996; Vice Chairman, 1994-1995; Chairman, 1995-1996
• Lackawanna College, Trustee, 1991-Present
• Springbrook Township, Solicitor, 1978-1979

Practice Areas

• PA Personal Injury
• PA Worker’s Compensation
• Social Security Disability
• FELA Injury Litigation
• Professional Conduct
• Estates