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Biography

Jim Rives is a partner in the Montgomery office. His practice consists primarily of serving as a Mediator. He also maintains an active litigation practice and serves as an arbitrator.

In practice for more than 35 years as a litigation attorney, Jim has tried cases at all levels of Alabama’s state and federal courts. In 1999, Jim received certification as a mediator and is also certified as an appellate mediator and a foreclosure mediator. As a result of his reputation, diligence and effectiveness as a facilitator and problem-solver, Jim has mediated more than 3,000 cases of every kind, including but not limited to professional liability, employment, labor, workers compensation, personal injury, products liability, commercial transactions, insurance coverage, business disputes, church disputes, taxation, government, appellate, premises liability, wrongful death, Dram Shop, probate, foreclosure and domestic relations. In addition to being selected to mediate by attorneys, he is frequently appointed by Judges and Appellate Courts to serve as mediator. He mediates approximately 200 legal matters per year.

 

Jim has been awarded an AV-rating by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest rating for legal skills and ethics recognized by that publication. He was selected by The Best Lawyers in America® as its 2024 Lawyer of the Year for Mediation in Montgomery and also selected by Super Lawyers® as a 2024 Mid-South Super Lawyer. He is a member of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals, the American Arbitration Association (AAA) and the Alabama Academy of Attorney Mediators. Previously, he has served on the Alabama Supreme Court’s Commission for Dispute Resolution.  Jim is also a frequent seminar lecturer and an appellate mediation trainer.   

 

Prior to law school, Jim received a B.S. in Commerce and Business Administration from the University of Alabama.

 

A lifelong resident of Montgomery, Jim and his wife, Tracey, are the parents of three adult children and a daughter-in-law. Active in the community and in his church, he also serves as an Elder and Sunday School teacher at Trinity Presbyterian Church. His hobbies include serving the needs of others in the community, hunting, fishing, and SEC athletics.

  • News
    May 2013 – Ball, Ball, Matthews & Novak Attorneys Selected for 2013 Alabama Super Lawyers
  • Notable Cases
    2017 – Alabama Supreme Court affirms trial court’s order granting defendant homeowners carrier’s motion for summary judgment wherein plaintiff asserted claims of breach of contract and bad faith. (Alabama Supreme Court Case No: 1131074) 2017 – Following a week long trial, obtained a verdict in favor of the defendant insurer, with a finding that the insurance policy at issue did not provide coverage for the claims asserted by the plaintiff. (Lee County) 2017 – Summary Judgment in favor of insurer as to bad faith claims asserted by the plaintiff/insured. (Autauga County) 2016 – Successfully defended insurance company in connection with breach of contract and bad faith claims. Following a trial of the matter, the jury returned a verdict below the amount offered by the insurer before trial. (Geneva County) 2015 – Successfully defended insurance company in trial concerning payment of insurance benefits, with verdict returned being less than amount offered before trial. (Dale County) 2015 – Summary judgment entered in favor of homeowners insurance carrier as to the breach of contract claims asserted against carrier by 130 individual plaintiffs. (Calhoun County) 2015 – Summary judgment entered in favor of homeowners insurer concerning the plaintiffs’ claims of breach of contract, fraud and bad faith. (Tuscaloosa County) 2015 – Summary judgment entered in favor of timber dealer and against plaintiff, who suffered serious injuries resulting in over $500,000 in medical bills. (Calhoun County) 2015 – Successfully defended class action claim made against homeowners insurer. Following the class certification hearing, the trial court entered an order denying the plaintiff’s motion for class certification. (Chambers County) 2014 – Prevailed on appeal to the Alabama Supreme Court concerning the trial court’s ruling against homeowners insurer. Alabama Supreme Court held that trial erred in ruling against insurer and reversed the judgment of the trial court. (Baldwin Mutual Insurance Company v. Adair, 181 So. 3d 1033) 2014 – Summary judgment rendered in favor of homeowners insurer concerning the insured’s claims of bad faith. (Northern District of Alabama) 2014 – Summary judgment entered in favor of homeowners insurer as to the plaintiffs’ claims of bad faith. Christian v. Country Mutual Insurance Company, 2014 WL 2434294 (N.D. Ala. 2014) 2013 – Successfully defended homeowners insurer in connection with Plaintiffs’ claims of fraud, conversion and breach of contract. Following jury trial, case settled while case was on appeal to the Alabama Supreme Court. (Marion County) 2013 – Defendant’s verdict at the conclusion of jury trial wherein the plaintiff alleged personal injuries caused by the defendant. (Montgomery County) 2013 – Summary judgment rendered in favor of homeowners insurer as to plaintiff’s claims of breach of contract and bad faith. (Chambers County) 2013 – Summary judgment rendered in favor of homeowners insurer concerning plaintiff’s claims of breach of contract and bad faith arising out of April 27, 2011 Alabama tornadoes. (Clay County) 2013 – Summary judgment entered in favor of homeowners insurer concerning plaintiff’s claims of breach of contract and bad faith arising out of April 27, 2011 Alabama tornadoes. (Escambia County) 2012 – Summary judgment rendered in favor of homeowners insurer with respect to plaintiff’s claims of breach of contract and bad faith arising out of April 27, 2011 Alabama tornadoes. (Marion County) 2010 – Successfully defended homeowners insurer against plaintiff’s claims of breach of contract and bad faith. After week long jury trial, jury returned a verdict in the amount of $46,000. Plaintiff asked the jury to return a verdict in the amount of $2 million. (Bibb County) 2009 – Alabama Supreme Court affirms trial court’s order granting summary judgment in favor of insurer as to plaintiff’s underinsured motorists claims. (Kendall v. USAA, 23 So. 3d 1119)
  • Other Reported Decisions
    Harris v. Preskitt, 911 So. 2d 8 (Ala. Civ. App. 2005) – Trial court’s order enforcing settlement affirmed on appeal. Burt v. Shield Insurance Company, 902 So. 2d 692 (Ala. Civ. App. 2004) – Summary judgment in favor of defendant insurer affirmed on appeal. Rosen v. Montgomery Surgical Center, 825 So. 2d 735 (Ala. 2001) – Order dismissing plaintiff’s claims affirmed by Alabama Supreme Court.
  • Attorney Testimonials
    "I have worked on a case in opposition to Mr. Brittain. He is a very professional and competent attorney." "Evans is an excellent attorney and well respected member of our local bar." "I have worked up 3-4 cases against Evans and he has always been the consummate professional..." "Evans is a fine lawyer and works hard for his clients."
BBN_Mont2_HeadshotEdits (11 of 108) (1).

James A. Rives

Partner  |  Montgomery

P: (334) 387-2062

F: (334) 387-3222

E: jrives@ball-ball.com

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