After graduating in the top 5% of his class at Loyola Law School in 1972, Jim practiced in West Los Angeles and Century City until he decided to move his family and office to Orange County.
In 1999, after being a name and founding partner of the Los Angeles firm of Daniels, Baratta & Fine, Jim reconnected with his former law review board classmate, David C. Grant and with Michael J. Genovese formed Grant, Genovese & Baratta in Irvine. The partners of the firm always work collaboratively simplifying the complex. Personalized and attentive client service is synonymous with practicing law at the firm. No matter how large or complicated a matter may be, Jim’s reputation for reaching out to clients continuously keeping their business and personal goals front of mind is a mainstay of his practice style.
Jim continues to consult with the insurance industry, major corporate clients, policyholders and other attorneys in the insurance, bad faith and tort litigation arena. He often serves as an expert witness in these areas as well as in legal malpractice and fee disputes.
Jim has tried over 100 cases. As a distinguished Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers, Litigation Counsel of America, and the American Board of Trial Advocates, Jim tackles each new matter with a passion for finding the details and nuances that typically make or break a solid resolve for clients.
Jim Baratta brings strength, savvy, and experience when his clients need it most.
Honors & Memberships
Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL)
Martindale-Hubbell’s Prestigious Bar Registry of Preeminent Lawyers
Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America (LCA)
California Super Lawyer, 2008-2021
American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)
Defense Research Institute -Insurance Law Committee (DRI)
Association of Southern California Defense Counsel (ASCDC)
Association of Trial Lawyers of Orange County
Orange County Bar Association, Masters Division
Loyola Law School Advocacy Institute Advisory Board
Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America, The Trial Lawyer Honorary Society
Member, Diversity Law Institute
Member, Trial Law Institute
America’s Most Honored Professionals (Top 1%) – American Registry
Top Rated Lawyer, Southern California Super Lawyer, 2008-2021
Publications
Associate Editor, Defense Dialogue (ASCDC 1975-1981)
California Construction Law Manual (1977-1981 Supplements)
Attorneys Guide to California Construction Disputes (1973-1981 Supplements)
Reliance v. Emerson, 5 Loyola Law Review, 426
Trials
Recent Jury Trials Include:
Doe, AJ v. LAUSD (LASC Case No. BC682731) Sexual Abuse (2025)
Doe, Jane v. LAUSD (LASC Case No. BC659059) Sexual Abuse (2024)
Abran Marcial Lopez v. Pacific Weed Control et al. (LASC Case No. 19STCV47150) Personal Injury/Auto (2023)
Dialessandro Johanny Vides v. LAUSD (LASC Case No. BC690036) Personal Injury/Excessive force against a minor (2023)
Gloria Ruckman et al. v. Big N’ Deep (Kern County Case No. BCV-15-101699) Personal Injury/Gas line explosion (2022)
Kirk Hansen v. Daniel Joseph Lavorin; Coast Care SVCS, Inc. (LASC Case No. 19STCV34726) Personal Injury/Auto (2022)
Niel Itzik Adrabi v. Richard Harrison (LASC Case No. BC673182 Personal Injury/Auto (2022)
Daniel Elias v. Cp Opco Dba Classic Party Rentals, Francisco Javier Sanchez, Ryder Truck Rental, Inc. (LASC Case No. 19STCV22507) Personal Injury/Auto (2021)
Jesse Equihua and Barbara Equihua v. Marilyn Chausse, Shayna Nash (LASC 19AVC00071) Auto/ Loss of Consortium (2021)
Marissa Freeman v. Board of Trustees of the California State University and Angel Castro (SBSC Case No. CIVDS1902640) Governmental Liability/Brain Damage (2020)
Ever Maldonado v. McKenna Motor Company, Inc. (LASC Case No. BC654725) Auto/Pedestrian
Anne Piemonte v. Donald T. Sterling (LASC Case No. BC616701) Premises Liability (2018)
Francine R. Sutton v. Rony’s Car Pros, Inc. (LASC Case No. BC606198) Personal Injury/Premises Liability (2017)
Wayne Hetman v. California Capital Insurance Co. (OCSC Case No. 30-2009-00325635) Insurance Coverage/Bad Faith (2017)
Shirley Munro v. Tiara Imperial Homeowners Association (LASC Case No. BC538522) Negligence/Premises Liability (2017)
Yacine Bell v. George Anderson (LASC Case No. BC598387) Defamation/Economic Interference (2017)
Craig Litch and Ann Litch v. DCOR, LLC (VSC Case No. 56-2013-00442884-CU-PO-VTA) Electrical Arc Flash Fire/Oil Platform (2016)
Oscar Chavez v. Corporation of the Presiding Bishop of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Jacob Thomas Kress (LASC Case No. BC541046) Personal Injury/Motor Vehicle (2016)
Gonzalez et al v. Lew et al. (LASC Case No. KC064256) Wrongful Death/Fire (2015)
Kulkarni v. California Capital Insurance Company (OCSC Case No. 30-2011-00530644-CU-BC-CJC) Bad Faith/Insurance (2014)
California Capital Insurance Co. v. Scottsdale Indemnity (Stanislaus Superior Court Case No. 673872) Insurance Coverage/Equitable Indemnity (2013)
Wolf v. Matthew J. Harris et al. (LASC Case No. BC430691) Motor Vehicle (2012)
Leonidas Osegueda Solarzano v. Bimini Properties (LASC Case No. BC428385) Premises Liability/Brain Damage (2012)
Beaumont v. California Capital Insurance Co. (LASC Case No. BC415644) Bad Faith (2012)
Thomas McCaa v. MSTL, Inc., Alvaro Garcia, Manuel Tovar (LASC Case No. PC042872) Motor Vehicle/ Freeway Accident (2011)
California Capital Insurance Co. v. Safeco Insurance Co. (VCSC Case No. 56-2009-00356675 CU-MC-VTA) Equitable Subrogation/Lead Poisoning (2011)
Flanagan v. Schott (OCSC Case No. 30-2009-00325260) Personal Injury – Pedestrian/Bike (2011)
Jimenez v. Morbark (LASC Case No. BC416040) Products Liability/Wrongful Death Wood Chipper (2011)
Shaff v. Levitt (SBSC Case No. 1302883) automobile-bicycle accident (2010)
Appellate Cases
DeWitt v. Monterey Ins. Co. (2012) DJDAR 3311; Katerina Chakalis v. Elevator Solutions (2012) 205 Cal.App.4th 1557
State Farm General Insurance Co. v. Mintarsih (2009) 175 Cal.App.4th 274
Pardee Constr. Co. v. Insurance Co. of the West (2000) 77 Cal.App.4th 1340
Eden v. VanTine, 83 Cal.App.3d 879 (1978); State Farm General Ins. Co. v. Majorino (2002) 99 Cal.App.4th 974
83 Cal.App.3d 879 (1978); Youngblood v. Board of Supervisors, 22 Cal.3d 644 (1978)
CEEED v. California Coastal Zone Conservation Com., 43 Cal.App.3d 306 (1974)
San Diego Bldg. Contractors Assn. V. City Council, 13 Cal.3d 205 (1974)
Baum Electric Co. v. City of Huntington Beach, 33 Cal.App.3d 573 (1973)
San Diego Coast Regional Com. V. See the Sea, Limited, 9 Cal.3d 888 (1973)
BAR Admissions
California
Practices
Education
JD, Loyola Law School
cum laude
BA, University of California, Los Angeles
cum laude
Languages Spoken
English
Defect Defense Win in Woodchipper Wrongful Death Case
Defending the seller in a tragic wrongful death suit involving a defective product claim.
Insurance Defense Wins in Landmark Coverage Cases
In two high-stakes coverage lawsuits, GGB defended State Farm and Monterey Insurance, setting new standards for insurer liability.Los Angeles Defense Win in Elevator Injury Case
Defending a homeowners association from a $10 million claim in an elevator injury case.
Defense Win in Celebrity Wrongful Death Case
Defending Motley Crue Drummer Tommy Lee in a wrongful death action, we faced a $10 million claim. Despite high-profile parties…
