James W. Vititoe

Jim was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on March 14, 1947. His father was in the military and his family moved to Germany when Jim was 5. In 1956, his family relocated back to the United States and lived in Georgia. In 1965, Jim graduated from Northside High School in Warner Robins, Georgia, where he was President of the Student Body, Honorary Mayor of the Town and selected as Most Versatile Student.

Jim attended the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia and graduated with a degree in psychology in 1971. He moved to Hawaii to work for United Airlines and to enjoy his passion for worldwide travel. He also managed to attend the University of Hawaii for a few extra enrichment classes.

In 1973, Jim moved to Los Angeles to attend Southwestern University School of Law. He was on the Dean’s List, President of the Student Bar Association, and was the recipient of the prestigious Frederick Graff Award for most outstanding student. Jim married Karen Dutcher in 1984 and they have two children, Justin and Travis.

After graduation from Law School, Jim became an associate in the Law Offices of Edward L. Masry. Jim worked for several years as an associate attorney and in 1982, Jim became a partner. The Law Offices of Edward L. Masry was renamed The Law Offices of Masry & Vititoe. Masry & Vititoe was the firm that employed Erin Brockovich and was portrayed in the film Erin Brockovich. After Ed Masry passed away, Jim formed Vititoe Law Group to continue his work as a dedicated advocate for injured parties.

Over the past 30 plus years, Jim has specialized in civil tort litigation. He has handled thousands of wrongful death cases, work-related injuries, and personal injuries. Typical cases have included auto collisions, product liability, premises liability, medical malpractice, and environmental exposure. Recently, his focus and specialty has been brain injury cases including severe and mild traumatic brain injuries [MTBI].

Jim has received much recognition over his career. He has received the U.S. Congressional Award for Trial Lawyer of the Year in 1990, 1991 and 1992. Consumer Attorneys of California awarded him Trench Soldier of the Year in 1996; Presidential Recognition for Exceptional Contribution in 1996; Outstanding Consumer Advocate in 1997; President’s Award of Merit in 2000; and the Trial Lawyers for Public Justice (TLPJ) awarded Jim the President’s Award in July 2001.

Jim was appointed to the Board of Governors for the Consumer Attorney Association of Los Angeles in 1998; the Board of Governors for the American Trial Lawyers Association in 2001; the Trial Lawyers for Public Justice in 2001; and the Consumers Attorneys of California in 2001. Jim continues to sit on the Board of Governors for all these organizations.

Jim is currently a member of the American Trial Lawyers Association, American Bar Association, Trial Lawyers for Public Justice, Consumer Attorneys of California, Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles, and the Los Angeles County Bar Association.