James D. Weakley

James D. Weakley is the managing partner of Weakley, Arendt & McGuire, LLP. Mr. Weakley has been representing public entities since 1978, when he received his Juris Doctor degree from San Joaquin College of Law. He is admitted to practice in the United States Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California, the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, the United States District Court for the Central District of California, and all courts of the State of California, including the California Supreme Court. He has argued cases in state and federal appellate courts, which have resulted in published decisions.

Mr. Weakley’s career focus has been defending public entities and their employees. He handles complex high profile cases involving various aspects of public entity liability, including police liability, correctional liability, child protective services liability, medical malpractice, construction litigation, dangerous condition of public property, employment litigation and civil rights litigation. His clients have included elected and other public figures, including judges, district attorneys, sheriffs, chiefs of police, and heads of public agency departments.

Mr. Weakley is a member of the Litigation Section of the California State Bar, the Fresno County Bar Association, the Association of Defense Counsel of Northern California and Nevada, the Defense Research Institute Government Liability Committee, the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), the Federal Bar Association, the California Association of Joint Powers Authorities (CAJPA), and the Public Agency Risk Managers Association (PARMA).

Mr. Weakley served three terms on the Board of Directors for the Association of Defense Counsel of Northern California and Nevada. He has also served on the California State Bar Committee on Federal Courts and the Civil Subcommittee. Mr. Weakley is the current National Representative and past President of the San Joaquin Valley Chapter of ABOTA. He also serves as President of the San Joaquin Valley Chapter of the Federal Bar Association. He was a founding member of the Central Valley Chapter of PARMA.

Mr. Weakley has served as an arbitrator, mediator and judge pro tem for the Fresno County Superior Court. In addition, he is frequently asked to speak on topics related to his practice of law.