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About Jim Fitzgerald

Jim Fitzgerald started his law practice in 1975 and founded The Fitzgerald Law Firm in 1982 with a focus on finding truth and justice for severely injured clients and families who have lost loved ones. He represents clients in complex cases involving products liability, workplace liability, medical malpractice, personal injury, and wrongful death. His trial record includes numerous multi-million-dollar jury awards, and he holds the Wyoming Supreme Court records for both the largest injury verdict and the largest wrongful death verdict ever upheld on appeal in Wyoming. He has been trial counsel in nearly half of the million-dollar verdicts in the state's history.

After working his way through the University of Wyoming, Jim attended Army Officer Candidate School, ranking in the top ten percent of his class, served in Vietnam, and was awarded two Bronze Stars, the Army Commendation Medal, and a Letter of Commendation. He then graduated from the University of Colorado School of Law. Jim is a member of the Inner Circle of Advocates (an organization limited to 100 top plaintiff lawyers in the country, and served as its President from 2000 to 2001), the American College of Trial Lawyers, the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, and the International Society of Barristers.

He has been listed in Best Lawyers in America since 1987, named to Mountain States Super Lawyers since 2007, inducted into the Lawdragon Hall of Fame in 2022, and listed on the Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Lawyers in America. He holds triple-board certification in Civil Trial, Civil Practice Advocacy, and Truck Accident Law from the National Board of Trial Advocacy. He has made more than 100 presentations on trial topics to members of the trial bar throughout the United States and has been an instructor at the Gerry Spence Method since 2000.

Proven verdicts and settlements

$9.46 million (judgment; $22 million jury verdict)Verdict

A Wyoming jury awarded $22 million after coal miner Les Butts was left paraplegic when a boulder crushed his vehicle at Black Thunder Mine; the Wyoming Supreme Court affirmed a $9.46 million judgment against his supervisors in June 2008.

Wyoming Supreme Court (District Court, Campbell County) · 2008Workplace InjuryRead the full story →
$8 millionVerdict

A Wyoming federal jury returned an $8 million verdict against SmithKline Beecham after finding that Paxil caused a Gillette man to kill three family members and himself within 48 hours of taking the drug.

U.S. District Court, District of Wyoming (Cheyenne) · 2001Wrongful DeathRead the full story →
$1.5 millionVerdict

Jim Fitzgerald won a $1.5 million jury verdict for the family of a construction worker killed when his 1966 Caterpillar 988 wheel loader rolled over without rollover protection, a judgment the Wyoming Supreme Court affirmed in full.

Wyoming Supreme Court (District Court, Carbon County) · 1983Wrongful DeathRead the full story →
Verdict

Jim and Michael Fitzgerald secured a Wyoming Supreme Court ruling that the state's governmental-immunity waiver covers ordinary negligence claims against state healthcare facilities, allowing a family's civil suit to proceed after their daughter was sexually assaulted by a hospital employee.

Wyoming Supreme Court · 2021Premises LiabilityRead the full story →
View all 4 proven verdicts →

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Each case is unique and depends on its own facts.

Practice areas

Education

University of Colorado School of Law
J.D.
University of Wyoming
Undergraduate

Bar admissions & credentials

State Bar of Wyoming, admitted 1975
State Bar of Colorado, admitted 1993

Other attorneys at Fitzgerald Law Firm

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Proven verdicts and settlements from other Cheyenne firms

Frank Azar Car & Truck Accident Lawyers
Frank Azar Car & Truck Accident Lawyers
$188 million · The $188 Million Walmart Rest-Break and Off-the-Clock Verdict
Olson Personal Injury Lawyers
Olson Personal Injury Lawyers
$350,000 · $350,000 Settlement for Delivery Driver Struck by Off-Duty Officer Racing the Wrong Way on Quebec Street