James N. Leik
Jim Leik, a of counsel in the firm's Litigation and Product Liability practices, focuses on commercial litigation, energy & environmental litigation, product liability litigation and other civil litigation matters.
Education & Credentials
Education
- Duke University School of Law, J.D., with distinction, Order of the Coif, Note and Comment Editor, Duke Law Journal, 1980
- University of Montana, B.A., with high honors, 1977
Bar and Court Admissions
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Alaska
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska
Clerkships
- Hon. Donald Lay, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
Professional Recognition
Listed “Product Liability Litigation Lawyer of the Year” by The Best Lawyers in America, 2022
Ranked by Chambers USA as “America’s Leading Lawyer" for Commercial Litigation, 2014-2023
Listed in The Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation; Litigation - Environmental; Product Liability Litigation - Defendants; Bet-the-Company Litigation, 2007-2024
Listed in Super Layers Magazine as an "Alaska Super Lawyer," 2007-2024
Peer Review Rated AV in Martindale-Hubbell
(AV®, BV® and CV® are registered certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies.)
Impact
Professional Leadership
- Alaska Bar Association, Chair, Tort Section, 2002-2009; Environmental & Natural Resources Law Section; Administrative Law Section; Law Examiners Committee, 1994-1997
- Alaska Pattern Civil Jury Instruction Committee, 1988-2022; Chairman, 2015-2022
- American Bar Association, Litigation Section, Tort/Insurance Practice Section, and Environmental, Energy & Resources Section
News
Professional Experience
Litigation
Commercial Litigation
Contract litigation, defense of claims under the Alaska Unfair Trade Practices Act, insurance coverage litigation, antitrust litigation; insurance broker liability, real property foreclosure and title litigation, and litigation regarding actions of state and local government agencies.
Product Liability Litigation
Defense of product manufacturers, sellers and repairers. Examples include aircraft engines and component parts, oilfield service equipment, construction equipment, cars and trucks, marine engines, medical devices and pharmaceuticals, and consumer goods.
Energy and Environmental Litigation
Court proceedings and administrative proceedings addressing permitting and regulatory decisions by state and federal agencies; litigation regarding contractual rights and obligations related to energy development.
Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Litigation
Defense of strict liability, breach of warranty and negligence claims related to deaths and personal injuries, including workplace accidents, aviation accidents and injuries on business premises.