James M. Mahaffey III, Esq.

CONTACT
JMahaffey@PerryNeblett.com

JAMES M. MAHAFFEY III, Born in Austin, Texas. Admitted to the Bar, Florida, 2013. Education: The University of Texas at Austin (B.B.A. Finance 2006); University of Miami School of Law, Magna Cum Laude (J.D. 2013); Inter-American Law Review (member). Member: The Florida Bar; The Texas Bar; The Louisiana Bar; The Spellman-Hoevler American Inn of Court

Professional Information: 

Prior to moving to Miami, James had a prosperous sales career at a telecom start-up before moving to Hoover’s Online, one of the most successful corporations in Austin, but sales was not where he wanted to be and he chose to pursue his dream to practice law and be his family’s “cousin in Miami.” 

James started his legal career at Perry & Neblett, P.A. as a clerk and then as an associate defending maritime insurance claims. He has worked on thousands of insurance disputes and has been actively involved in insurance litigation in both State and Federal Court as both defense and plaintiff counsel. James drafted and/or assisted with numerous coverage opinions and claim investigations. While defending a number of property claims related to marinas and seawalls, Mr. Neblett convinced James to work on behalf of vessel owners, marine business and insureds instead of insurance companies. 

Since he began representing property and vessel owners, James was quickly made partner due to his tireless work helping grow the firm’s practice. He prides himself on meeting his clients’ needs – representing vessel, maritime businesses and property owners from the outset of their claims process through litigation and Trial, as well as prosecuting construction/design defects and builder warranties. His ability to apply the law to the facts of his clients’ claims has also allowed him to work on  Appeals for the firm.

James is much more than just a litigator. He has worked hard to hone his oral advocacy skills, arguing before the Court in thousands of hearings and evidentiary hearings, and he has become one of the main Trial attorneys at Perry & Neblett, P.A. He has acted as first or second chair in fifteen Jury Trials and won his clients multiple “full estimate or full demand” verdicts including a few verdicts that were in excess of the estimates and demands made. He is also the attorney the firm sends to speak with insurers corporate officers, having deposed thousands of insurance representatives and adjusters. While his manners and polite nature may help him play the “good cop” in many settlement discussions, make no mistake – he is not nice when it comes to procuring favorable settlements and verdicts for our clients.

An outdoor enthusiast, James can often be found kayaking with his family around the islands of Biscayne Bay, and he enjoys fishing, diving, and sailing. He is an avid soccer player and fan and he enjoys hunting in the Fall when he is in Austin for Texas Longhorns football games.