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James R. Stovall

PARTNER

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Biography

James R. Stovall has represented individuals and organizations in a variety of civil, regulatory, and criminal matters, in trial courts and on appeal. His practice focuses on complex civil litigation and white-collar criminal defense. James has represented clients in business and partnership disputes, securities litigation, civil rights lawsuits, employment disputes, real estate disputes, and insurance coverage litigation. Before joining RJS, James was a partner at Morvillo, Abramowitz, Grand, Iason & Anello, P.C., in New York City.

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Originally from Texas, James attended law school at Harvard where he met his future wife, Joy Radice. After law school, James moved to New York where he practiced with the firm of Morvillo, Abramowitz, Grand, Iason & Anello, P.C., ultimately becoming a partner. When Joy, who is a law professor, accepted a position with the University of Tennessee College of Law, James moved to Knoxville and joined RJS. James and Joy have a daughter and two sons.

News

Selected Publications & Presentations

  • “Annual Attorney Fee Increased by Tennessee Supreme Court,” with Hon. John F. Weaver, DICTA, February 2025.
  • “Does it Hurt to Ask? New Tennessee Statute Permits Personal Solicitation of Campaign Contributions by Judicial Candidates,” DICTA, June 2022 (cover article).
  • White-Collar Wins in the Supreme Court,” Consigliere, summer 2016.
  • “Montgomery v. Louisiana: The Kids Are Still All Right at the High Court,” DICTA, May 2016 (cover article).
  • “The Personal Benefit Rule in Misappropriation Cases,” Business Crimes Bulletin (2012).
  • “What Goes Up Can Come Down: Discretion to Impose Lower Fraud Sentences,” Business Crimes Bulletin (2011).
  • “Stays in Parallel Proceedings: The More Things Change . . .,” Business Crimes Bulletin (2010).
  • “How to Use and Not Lose Experts in Criminal Cases,” Business Crimes Bulletin (2009).
  • “Judicial Roulette: Recusal Motions in Criminal Cases,” Business Crimes Bulletin (2008).
  • “Defendants’ Pretrial Access to Documents in White Collar Prosecutions,” Business Crimes Bulletin (2007).
  • “Penance But No Absolution: The Paradox of Corporate Criminal Liability,” Business Crimes Bulletin (2007).

Practice Areas

  • Complex Civil Litigation
  • Business and Partnership Disputes
  • Civil Rights Litigation
  • White-Collar Criminal Defense

Admissions

Admitted in Tennessee and New York and to practice before the United States Supreme Court, the United States Courts of Appeals for the Second, Third, and Sixth Circuits, and the District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York and the Eastern District of Tennessee.

Involvement

  • Co-Chair of the Professionalism Committee of the Knoxville Bar Association.
  • Member of the Executive Committee of the Hamilton Burnett Chapter of the Inns of Court.
  • Member of the Board of Governors of the Knoxville Bar Association.
  • Fellow, Tennessee and Knoxville Bar Foundations

Education

  • B.A. summa cum laude from Texas A&M University (1999)
  • J.D. from Harvard Law School, cum laude (2002)
  • Law Clerk, United States District Court, Southern District of New York (2002-2004)