A. JAMES ROLFES

A. James “Jim” Rolfes is a veteran Florida trial attorney with more than four decades of experience representing individuals and businesses in complex civil litigation. He has built a distinguished career focused on legal malpractice, professional liability, and high-stakes trial work, earning a reputation for meticulous preparation, strategic thinking and unwavering client advocacy.

A Florida native, Jim graduated from Stetson University before earning his law degree from Cumberland School of Law at Samford University in 1983, where he was a member of the Law Review and National Mock Trial Team. In addition, Jim received the American Jurisprudence Awards in Constitutional Law and Admiralty, which award is given to recognize receipt of the highest grade in each class. Early in his career, he quickly established himself as a skilled courtroom advocate, going on to try more than 75 jury trials across Florida involving legal malpractice, transportation claims, products liability and complex commercial disputes.

Jim is Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by The Florida Bar, a distinction he first achieved at age 32 – making him one of the youngest attorneys in the state to earn such certification – and has maintained through seven recertifications. His deep trial experience and focused practice have made him a trusted resource for clients navigating the complexities of professional liability claims, particularly those involving negligent legal representation.

In addition to his litigation practice, he has served as an expert witness and lecturer on legal malpractice and trial practice issues. He has also held numerous leadership roles within the legal community, including service on The Florida Bar’s Young Lawyers Division Board of Governors, as Chair of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit Grievance Committee and as a gubernatorial appointee to the Twelfth Judicial Nominating Commission where he has served as Chair and Vice Chair. Jim has been AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell since 1987. An AV certification mark is a significant rating accomplishment; a testament to the fact that a lawyer’s peers rank him at the highest level of professional excellence.

In May of 2026, after being with the Dickinson & Gibbons law firm for 43 years, Jim left the firm to be “of counsel” to Butler Legacy and Litigation LLP. For over 40 years Jim has handled professional malpractice cases for both defendants and attorneys throughout the state of Florida and now limits his practice to representing individuals and corporations who have been victimized by the negligent representation of attorneys throughout the state of Florida.

Beyond his legal work, Jim is deeply committed to the Sarasota and Bradenton communities. He has served on the boards of Girls Inc. (currently Vice-Chair) and on the board of Children First where he served two terms as Chair.

CERTIFICATIONS

• Florida Bar Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

• The Florida Bar

• Trial Lawyers Section of the Florida Bar

• Sarasota County Bar Association