What drew James Tallman to plaintiff trial litigation
James Tallman grew up watching Perry Mason, a defense attorney who did whatever it took to get people out of seemingly hopeless situations. It's an easy line to laugh off, except James spent his own childhood in housing projects and Section 8 housing, raised by a single mother alongside two sisters. That background, combined with a family steeped in political conviction about helping people, shaped an early idea that never really left him: that law could be the vehicle for doing exactly that.
​He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Pittsburgh, then graduated magna cum laude and first in his class from Widener University School of Law, where he also served as an editor of the law review.
From Corporate Litigation to Representing People
After law school, James spent close to a decade at large commercial litigation firms, representing major companies across all types of complex litigation. It was demanding, high-stakes work, but it left him wanting something more direct: a real connection to the person he was actually helping, rather than an abstract corporate client several layers removed from the case itself.
That's what led him into personal injury work, where he spent the next 12 years at a prominent Pittsburgh firm, representing injured individuals for the first time in his career. Civil rights work followed, and it's become something he genuinely enjoys, cases that let him fight directly for someone who's been wronged by an institution rather than another company's balance sheet.
Today, James runs a true solo practice. Every case is handled personally, by the attorney whose name is on the website, not passed to unnamed staff.
The Cases James Takes On
Today, James represents clients across Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania in four areas of practice, handling each case personally from the first conversation.
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Personal Injury
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Civil Rights
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Consumer Construction Claims
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Commercial Litigation
Personal injury and civil rights cases are handled on a no recovery, no fee basis.
Professional Affiliations
Western Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association
Past President (2025/26)
An elected leadership role among trial lawyers actively litigating across the region, following over a decade on its Board of Governors.
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Pennsylvania Association for Justice
Member
Pennsylvania's statewide organization for lawyers who represent injured and wronged individuals, not insurance companies. A board seat means direct involvement in shaping plaintiff-side advocacy statewide.
Civil Rules Committee and Construction and Civil Litigation Sections
Allegheny County Bar Association
Active involvement in the rules and specialized practice areas that govern civil and construction litigation locally.
Pennsylvania Bar Association
Member
Pennsylvania's statewide association for lawyers and judges, keeping him connected to the wider legal community and to developments in state law and practice.
Recognized by Super Lawyers for 2026
James T. Tallman is among the attorneys recognized by Super Lawyers in 2026, adding to a career built on decades of litigation experience and dedicated client representation.
With nearly 30 years of litigation experience, James personally handles his clients' cases, combining attentive communication with a willingness to take matters to trial when necessary.
Recognized Experience. Personal Representation.
Outside the Office
James lives with his partner, and with Frank, a reddish-brown bulldog with strong opinions about having his nails clipped. He also has three adult sons, now in their mid-20s to late 30s, and music is a big part of what they share.
Music is where James spends most of his time outside the courtroom, and his taste resists easy categorising: avant-garde jazz, indie rock, heavy metal, Björk, Rosalía, Dave Matthews, and UK acts like Radiohead, Black Country, New Road all sit comfortably on the same playlist. He goes to concerts as often as he can, often with his sons alongside him.
James has also spent years giving his time to his community. He joined Rotary in 2016 and has led the club as president three times. Over the years he was a regular on the sidelines of youth soccer, first as a coach and later as head of a youth soccer association, and he served as a Cubmaster too.
