James P. Cone

• Philip Green and James Cone obtained a complete defense verdict after a three week jury trial in the Villanueva v. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company matter in Miami, Florida on October 7, 2022. This was a wrongful death case brought by the surviving spouse. The brand history at issue was split evenly between Reynolds and Philip Morris. This was a difficult case involving three beneficiaries and where punitive damages were at issue. The case name was Villanueva v. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, et. al., No. 2007-046361-CA-01 (Fla. 11th Cir. Ct.)

James Cone (“Jim”) is a trial lawyer with experience in more than 30 jury cases tried to verdict.  He is a member of the Trial and Global Disputes practice team focusing on the trial of high-stakes products liability matters.  In addition to his courtroom work, Jim has a diverse and wide-ranging background including experience in medical device litigation, commercial litigation, compliance matters and internal investigations.   

Most recently, Jim has served as a first chair trial counsel on behalf of the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company in a de-certified class of product liability cases in the State of Florida.  He has served in the role of second chair trial counsel on behalf of R.J. Reynolds for nearly five years.  He is also heavily involved in the management and defense of these cases and for developing winning strategies at the earliest stage of discovery.

Jim is a U.S. Army Veteran, completed Army Airborne and Air Assault training, and has interned in the Pentagon.  Jim’s legal career began as a Captain in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps.  One of his first assignments was as a trial counsel/military prosecutor.  While in the Army, Jim also gained experience with government contract law and regularly advised on solicitations, contract awards, fiscal law, source selections and bid protests.