James R. Nikraftar

Associate

jnikraftar@millerbarondess.com 424.653.5841 vCard Print Bio

Education

J.D., cum laude, University of Southern California, Gould School of Law

B.A., cum laude, Yeshiva University

Admissions

California

Associate

Biography

James is a business litigator with a background representing diverse clientele in matters including contract disputes, fraud, consumer protection, labor disputes, business torts, and appellate concerns. He has practiced in trial and appellate courts at the state and federal levels. Prior to joining Miller Barondess, James was a litigation associate at the Los Angeles office of a global law firm.

James obtained his Bachelor’s degree in History from Yeshiva University, and returned to his hometown of Los Angeles to attend the University of Southern California, Gould School of Law, where he was the Edward G. Lewis Moot Court Champion.

Prior to law school, James worked in hedge fund advisory in New York and then as the head of quantitative analytics for a Philadelphia-based family office.

James is also an adjunct professor of advanced appellate advocacy at USC Gould School of Law.

Notable Representations

Obtained an injunction on behalf of a major grocery chain against union groups following a three-day evidentiary hearing in Riverside Superior Court. The injunction enjoined defendants from blocking access to the grocery chain’s distribution centers as part of specific labor-related activities. Also represented the chain in state appellate court to uphold the injunction on writ of supersedeas.
Successfully represented a national pet supply retailer in a consumer protection action against a group of district attorneys.
Represented an autonomous vehicle engineer in a bankruptcy dispute against a major international ride-sharing company.
Represented one of the nation’s premier real estate investment groups in a multimillion-dollar lease collection action in California state court.
Successfully represented a major medical insurance provider in obtaining a settlement from a service provider in connection with breaches of HIPAA obligations.
Represented a health insurer in an alleged information security incident that garnered national attention, obtained a settlement from a service provider in connection with breaches of HIPAA obligations.
Represented a high-net-worth individual in a construction-defect litigation in Newport Beach, CA.
Successfully appealed a motion to dismiss for an incarcerated individual bringing claims of Monell liability against a large municipality in upstate New York.
Co-authored a petition for writ of certiorari to the United States Supreme Court regarding a challenge to the U.S. wire-fraud statute. The petition was named “brief of the week” by SCOTUSblog.
Represented a group of oil companies in drafting an amicus curiae brief in the Ninth Circuit on a matter of federal civil procedure in a climate change-related dispute.
Represented a group of researchers and care-providers in drafting an amicus curiae brief in the Ninth Circuit in favor of rescheduling of psilocybin as a schedule II substance.