James M. Kestler
Senior Counsel
James is a litigator with experience in complex commercial and mass tort litigation. He has experience representing businesses and individuals in a variety of different matters in both state and federal courts around the country. He also has experience defending companies in response to criminal and government investigations.
James utilizes his experience and skills as a leader and member of litigation teams to guide litigation strategy to provide advice to corporate clients in a variety of industries.
James joined Esbrook P.C. in August 2024 after 7 years at Kirkland & Ellis LLP and 1 year at Chapman Spingola LLP.
Selected Breach-of-Contract Litigation
- Defended pension fund against breach of contract case and asserted counterclaims related to software development.
- Defended manufacturing company and asserted counterclaims in breach of contract case related to the building and development of an electric vehicle plant.
- Asserted claims on behalf of automotive company for breach of license agreements for the continued use of intellectual property.
Selected Intellectual Property Litigation
- Defended small business and owners against allegations of intellectual property infringement related to consumer health product.
Selected Mass Tort Litigation
- Defended oil company in over 800 toxic tort cases related to personal injury claims associated with an oil spill and the resultant response efforts.
Selected White Collar Defense Experience
- Represented companies in criminal and government investigations involving the DOJ, SEC, IRS, and the FTC, many of which were confidentially resolved with no adverse government enforcement action.
- Investigated potential fraudulent injury claims from retired professional athletes under a Settlement Agreement.
- Principal member of court-appointed monitor teams for a gas and electric company and a live entertainment company.
Selected Pro Bono Experience
- Pro Bono representation of a prisoner alleging a civil rights violation for deliberate medical indifference to a serious medical injury.
- Staffed election protection hotline to field calls and answer election related questions in all 50 states.