About Us

Bernard D. Friedman started what was to become Friedman & James LLP in 1988. In 1990, he was joined by John P. James. Andrew V. Buchsbaum joined the Firm in 2002. Together, we have over 100 years of legal experience upon which to draw.

 The Firm maintains offices in New York City and Monmouth County, New Jersey, with corresponding offices throughout the United States. We are a top maritime attorney and our reputation is founded upon the aggressive legal representation of those injured in maritime accidents, including blue-water seamen, tug and barge crew, ferryboat passengers and workers (including the Staten Island Ferry), commercial fishermen and those engaged in other maritime activities—such as longshoring, dredging, harbor work, and marine construction. Our clients also have included many individuals who have sustained serious injuries on cruise ships, pleasure crafts, and other recreational vessels. We have substantial experience litigating the unique attributes of maritime law including Limitation of Shipowners’ Liability, Jones Act, Maintenance and Cure, and claims based upon the warranty of seaworthiness. We have substantial experience with United States Coast Guard(USCG) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigations. Each maritime injury attorney has been involved as legal counsel in numerous maritime disasters, including the sinking of the S/S Marine Electric, the Staten Island Ferry Andrew Barberi allision, and the SeaStreak Wall Street allision. We have developed a substantial network of experts and consultants to assist, when needed, in areas such as marine architecture, ship handling, weather routing, and cargo operations.

 

Based upon our experience and expertise in handling maritime matters, the Firm also has developed a substantial reputation in representing individuals injured in land-based accidents—serious motor vehicle accidents, construction accidents, premises liability claims, and claims based upon defective products. Given our extensive litigation and trial history, many of our clients rely upon us to resolve their commercial disputes as well.

 

The firm regularly practices in the State and Federal courts of New York, New Jersey, and throughout the Country. We have handled matters in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Maine, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, Florida, Louisiana, Alabama, Indiana, Texas, Illinois, Missouri, and California. We also have developed and rely upon an extensive network of international attorneys to assist when needed.

 

Although we pride ourselves on maintaining the confidentiality of our attorney-client relationships, and while every case must stand on its own merits, our clients can attest to the high level of personalized service we deliver, as well as our recovery of numerous multi-million dollar payouts—both by way of trial and settlement.

 

All personal injury litigation is handled on a contingency basis in which a fee is charged on the net recovery after deduction for costs and expenses, in accordance with State law. Our initial consultation is free.