James A. Unger

• Obtained summary judgment in federal court on all claims brought against publicly-traded healthcare company by former senior executive, as well as the company's counterclaims.
• On appeal, achieved dismissal of petition in dispute between technology companies over alleged misappropriation of content.
• After arbitration hearing, received judgment in favor of client, national real estate investment company, on all claims brought by terminated senior executive.
• Negotiated novel restorative justice settlement on behalf of pro bono client, who was a victim of a hate crime.
• Successfully resolved multiple high-profile matters on behalf of major entertainment company.
• Received summary judgment in matter challenging New York City law on behalf of industry association.

James Unger is an experienced trial lawyer whose practice focuses on complex business litigation including commercial disputes, consumer class actions, and high-stakes employment matters.  Through trials and numerous successful dispositive motions, as well as creative resolution, James has achieved results for clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to startups and individual investors, in industries including technology, entertainment, financial services, healthcare, and real estate.

James has extensive experience in shareholder disputes, intellectual property litigation, worker misclassification claims, employee mobility issues, and allegations of wrongful termination by senior executives.  James is also adept at navigating civil litigation that features parallel regulatory scrutiny.  In addition to California and New York, where he is a member of the bar, James has represented clients in disputes nationwide including in Texas, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Puerto Rico.  

James is dedicated to pro bono practice and has received the Pro Bono Service Award each year he has been at King & Spalding.  James was also named a Pro Bono Champion by Inner City Law Center, where serves on the Pro Bono Council.  He has represented asylum seekers, tenants facing eviction, a victim of a hate crime, and foster children and has also worked on voter protection initiatives. 

James has been passionate about trial and appellate advocacy since his time at Berkeley Law, where he was on the mock trial and moot court teams and a moot court finalist.  In his spare time, James has coached and judged numerous trial and moot court competitions, including coaching a tournament-winning Berkeley Law trial team and a finalist in the National High School Moot Court Competition.  James was also selected to attend the IADC Trial Academy held annually at Stanford Law School.

Prior to joining the firm, James worked at other leading firms in New York and California and served as a law clerk to the then-Chief Federal District Court Judge in the Eastern District of New York (Brooklyn).