James W. Balmer

Since 1973, Jim Balmer has represented thousands of people in all kinds of litigation, including injury trials, workers’ compensation trials and hearings, Social Security Disability hearings, and appeals in those areas. He has handled car crashes, slips and falls, work site injuries, defective product claims, dog attacks, liquor liability claims and other bodily injury matters. Jim lectures at various seminars, primarily in the area of trial tactics. Jim is admitted to practice before all Minnesota and Wisconsin courts, both state and federal, and has tried cases throughout both states. He has argued cases before the Seventh U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago and the Eighth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, headquartered in St. Louis. Jim is listed in the prestigious “Best Lawyers in America” as a personal injury specialist representing plaintiffs. This same listing service has recognized Jim as Duluth area Plaintiff’s Personal Injury Lawyer of the Year in 2017 and 2019. Jim has been a diplomate of the American Board of Trial Advocates, an organization whose membership is by invitation only, since 2002. Jim was named the 2010 Volunteer Attorney of the Year for the Sixth Judicial District by the Volunteer Attorney Program. The award recognizes the lawyer who has given most generously of his or her time and talents to provide free legal help to lower income residents of northeastern Minnesota. Sailing, jogging and downhill skiing are Jim’s favorite recreational pursuits. He is active in his local Roman Catholic parish. Jim currently serves as the president of the Duluth Bethel Society Board of Directors. Awards and Honors Super Lawyers® Selectees James W. Balmer included in a Super Lawyers® list Honors The Best Lawyers in America, 2005 - Present Duluth Plaintiff’s Lawyer of the Year, Best Lawyers, 2017, 2019 AV-Rated, Martindale-Hubbell Minnesota Super Lawyer Volunteer Attorney of the Year, Sixth Judicial District, Volunteer Attorney Program, 2010 - Present Diplomate, American Board of Trial Advocates, since 2002 - Present Other Sources of Feedback About James W. Balmer Included on the 2025Minnesota Super Lawyers list Past Lists 2024 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2023 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2022 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2021 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2020 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2019 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2018 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2017 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2016 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2015 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2014 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2013 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2012 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2011 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2010 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2009 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2008 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2007 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2006 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2005 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2004 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2003 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2002 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2001 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2000 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 1999 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 1998 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 1997 Minnesota Super Lawyers list

• Founding Partner
• Attorney

• Engele v. ISD91, 846 F. Supp. 760 (D.Minn.)
• Year: 1994
• Stone v. Lakehead Constructors
• Citation: 533 N.W.2d 36
• Court: Minn.
• Year: 1995
• Serial Number: 1995129966
• Rankin v. Farmers Insurance Group
• Soderberg v. Anderson
• Year: 2019

• President of The Duluth Bethel Society Board of Directors

• Minnesota, 1973
• U.S. District Court District of Minnesota, 1974
• U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit, 1985
• Wisconsin, 1984
• U.S. District Court Western District of Wisconsin, 1985
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of Wisconsin, 2008
• U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit, 1986
• Specialties and Certifications
• Civil Trial Specialist, National Board of Trial Advocacy, 1986
• Civil Trial Specialist, Minnesota State Bar Association, 1989

• Minnesota Association for Justice (MAJ)
• Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA)
• 11th District Bar Association
• State Bar of Wisconsin
• American Board of Trial Advocates, 2002 - Present (Advocate)
• Minnesota Association of Justice
• American Association of Justice