James E. Reid, Esq.
President, Advocate's Forum, Inc.

Jim began his legal career as a Judge Advocate in the United States Marine Corps where he was assigned as a Trial Counsel (Prosecutor) for the Second Marine Division at Camp Lejeune. He was the first attorney to be assigned to a deployed BLT, deploying with BLT 1/8 in February 1978 to the Mediterranean. He later was Commanding Officer of Bravo Company, 8th Tank Battalion and the Battalion Operations Officer (S-3).

Jim has tried many cases, both civil and criminal, across New York State. He has been honored by his peers by being selected to Best Lawyers in America, Super Lawyers, ABOTA and has achieved the Martindale-Hubbell AV Rating.

In addition to his legal practice, Jim has been, since 1992, an Assistant District Attorney for Wayne County.

Active in many Bar Associations, Jim is a former Chair of the General Practice Section of the New York State Bar Association and its House of Delegates; is a former Director of the Onondaga County Bar Association, and is a Director and Regional Vice President of the New York State Academy of Trial attorneys. He is a frequent lecturer at continuing legal education seminars.

He is a graduate of Utica College, where he currently sits on the Board of Trustees and Investment Committee, and Syracuse University College of Law, where he is an Adjunct Professor of Advanced Trial Practice. Jim began mediating and arbitrating cases in 1996. Since that time he has successfully mediated and arbitrated hundreds of cases, including personal injury, property disputes, fire losses and insurance disputes.