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James G. "Jim" Martin, Business Attorney in St Louis, Missouri

focused on Business, Litigation, and White Collar

Dowd Bennett LLP

St Louis, MO

Trusted business attorney serving St Louis.

2
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James G. "Jim" Martin is an attorney based in St. Louis, MISSOURI. The practice focuses on Business, Litigation, and White Collar. Currently practicing at Dowd Bennett LLP.

Based in
St. Louis, MISSOURI
Experience
attorney
Known for
Business · Litigation · White Collar
  • Handles Business, Litigation, and White Collar matters from St. Louis, MISSOURI.
  • Recognized with Lawyer of the Year — Corporate Governance Law (St. Louis) (2022).

About James G. "Jim" Martin: James G. "Jim" Martin is an attorney based in St. Louis, MISSOURI. The practice focuses on Business, Litigation, and White Collar. Currently practicing at Dowd Bennett LLP.

Areas of practice

Legal matters James takes on

James concentrates on business, litigation, white collar, and criminal defense. Each area below outlines the kind of case James handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.

Business cases in St Louis, Missouri

James takes business matters in St Louis, Missouri. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before James agrees to represent you.

Litigation cases in St Louis, Missouri

James takes litigation matters in St Louis, Missouri. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before James agrees to represent you.

White Collar cases in St Louis, Missouri

James takes white collar matters in St Louis, Missouri. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before James agrees to represent you.

Criminal Defense cases in St Louis, Missouri

James takes criminal defense matters in St Louis, Missouri. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before James agrees to represent you.

Biography

Meet James G. "Jim" Martin — business lawyer in St Louis

James G. "Jim" Martin is an attorney based in St. Louis, MISSOURI. The practice focuses on Business, Litigation, and White Collar. Currently practicing at Dowd Bennett LLP.

Litigator James G. Martin defends corporations and individuals facing high-stakes, complex business lawsuits, white collar criminal charges, and allegations of corporate governance and compliance violations.

A former U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri, Jim is regularly lead defense counsel in class action and civil litigation matters, including SEC fraud and healthcare fraud in False Claims Act (FCA) litigation. Corporations also call on him to lead internal investigations related to alleged violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, among other matters.

Jim’s cases often draw national attention. In 2010 he won the dismissal of an SEC lawsuit charging his client with a stock option backdating scheme. He also convinced the DOJ to terminate its highly publicized criminal investigation of a Bush cabinet member without bringing charges or taking any other adverse action.

More than half of Jim’s clients investigated by the government for criminal conduct have never been indicted. Several of his class action and FCA-related lawsuits have also been dismissed, saving his clients the financial and other burdens of discovery and trial.

As director of investigative operations for the John C. Danforth Office of Special Counsel, Jim supervised attorneys and federal agents investigating the 1993 confrontation between law enforcement and the Branch Davidians in Waco, Texas.

Prior to joining Dowd Bennett, Jim was a partner in a large St. Louis–based law firm. Before private practice, he was a federal prosecutor for 21 years, prosecuting white collar crime, public corruption and tax fraud.

Representative Matters

  • In 2013, obtained dismissal in federal court of a criminal indictment of an Israeli national charged with a nationwide, multimillion dollar fraud scheme.
  • Won the dismissal of the SEC lawsuit charging client with participating in a stock option backdating scheme.

How James handles business matters

Litigator James G. Martin defends corporations and individuals facing high-stakes, complex business lawsuits, white collar criminal charges, and allegations of corporate governance and compliance violations. A former U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri, Jim is regularly lead defense counsel in class action and civil litigation matters, including SEC fraud and healthcare fraud in…

Who James represents

James reviews new inquiries case-by-case for business, litigation, and white collar matters in St Louis and the surrounding Missouri area.

Credentials

Education, bar admissions, and languages

  • University of Michigan

    J.D. · 1983

  • University of Notre Dame

    — · 1980

Jurisdictions

James's state bar admissions

  • Illinois, Illinois S

    ACTIVE

  • Missouri, The Missou

    ACTIVE

James studied at J.D. in University of Michigan and — in University of Notre Dame.

Law school and academic background

James completed J.D. in University of Michigan and — in University of Notre Dame. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice James runs in Missouri is where that training gets applied to real client questions.

Recognition

Recognition and thought leadership

James has received 15 formal recognitions from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.

  • Lawyer of the Year — Corporate Governance Law (St. Louis)

    2022

  • Lawyer of the Year — Corporate Compliance Law (St. Louis)

    2019

  • Lawyer of the Year — Corporate Compliance Law (St. Louis)

    2012

  • Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Litigation

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — Corporate Compliance Law

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — Corporate Governance Law

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: White-Collar

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — Special Focus:

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — Corporate Compliance

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — Corporate Governance

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — Ethics and Professional Responsibility

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — Federal

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — Government Investigations

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — Internal Investigations

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — Securities Fraud

    2026

Legal awards and honors

Lawyer of the Year — Corporate Governance Law (St. Louis) (2022). Lawyer of the Year — Corporate Compliance Law (St. Louis) (2019). Lawyer of the Year — Corporate Compliance Law (St. Louis) (2012). Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Litigation (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Corporate Compliance Law (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Corporate Governance Law (2026).

Locations

James G. "Jim" Martin's office in St. Louis

James's primary office is at 7676 Forsyth Blvd., Suite 1900, St. Louis, Missouri, 63105. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.

Main office

Dowd Bennett LLP

7676 Forsyth Blvd., Suite 1900

St. Louis, Missouri 63105

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Client feedback

Client reviews of James G. "Jim" Martin

James has not yet collected verified client reviews on LawyersListed. Reviews here are all from confirmed clients; anonymous ratings are moderated out.

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Hiring guide

How to hire James G. "Jim" Martin — what to expect in your first consultation

Working with a new business attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with James usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.

Consultation formats and pricing

James charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain James's office.

What to bring to your first meeting

Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; James will tell you what matters and what doesn't.

Questions to ask a business attorney in St Louis, Missouri

A short list to run through before you commit: How many business matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?

Fees & payment

Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for James

James discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in business practice — ask which fits.

Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options

Every business matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. James confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.

Payment methods and payment plans

James's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many business practices work with clients on structured schedules.

Frequently asked

Frequently asked questions about James G. "Jim" Martin

  • How much does it cost to hire James for a business case?

    Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. James walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.

  • Does James offer a free consultation?

    James charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain James's office. Some business attorneys offer free consults — check James's current terms during booking.

  • How long do business cases in Missouri typically take?

    Simple business matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. James gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.

  • Can James take my case if I'm outside St Louis?

    James is licensed in Missouri. Matters governed by Missouri law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — James will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.

  • What should I bring to my first meeting with James?

    Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. James will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.

  • Is James accepting new business clients right now?

    James's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.

Areas served

Business attorneys serving St Louis, Jefferson City and Kansas City in Missouri

James handles business matters throughout Missouri. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified business attorneys in that community.

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