James E. Ledbetter, Esq.
Personal Background
Jim is an Arizona native; born in Casa Grande and raised in Pinetop. Jim has been married 25 years to Rita and has five sons: Ross, Kyl, Connor, J. Grant and Hayden. He and his family reside in Cottonwood, Arizona, having made the Verde Valley their home.
Education
- Arizona State University College of Law, J.D., 1989, William Pedrick Scholar (top 10%)
- Grand Canyon College, History, B.A., 1983 summa cum laude
- Grand Canyon College, Speech, B.A., 1983 summa cum laude
Admitted
- Arizona Supreme Court, 1989
- U.S. District Court, District of Arizona, 1989
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit, 1993
- U.S. Supreme Court, 1993
- Colorado River Indian Community, 1993
- Hualapai Tribal Court, 1995
- White Mountain Apache Court, 1995
- Navajo Nation, 1995
- Hopi Tribal Court, 1995
- Yavapai-Apache Tribal Court, 2006
Employment History
- Founding Member, The Ledbetter Law Firm, P.L.C. (2001-Present)
- Partner Aspey, Watkins & Diesel, P.L.L.C. (1990-2001)
- Jones, Skelton & Hochuli (1986-1990)
- Development Officer/Scholarship Coordinator; University of Arizona (1984-86)
- Development Officer; Grand Canyon University (1983-84)
Profile
Jim is the founding member of The Ledbetter Law Firm, P.L.C. He represents a number of insurers, physicians, hospitals, long-term care facilities, corporations, professionals, government entities, insurers and Indian Nations. Jim defends litigation brought against these clients and oversees the clients' business matters, including union negotiations and contract drafting.
In recent years, Jim has been retained as an expert in matters involving coverage, labor disputes, malpractice and intergovernmental agreements.
Jim is active with a number of community agencies throughout Northern Arizona. He currently serves on the Boards of Northern Arizona Healthcare, the Verde Valley Medical Center, Sedona Medical Center, the Peaks of Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon Walk-In Clinic. He was Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Verde Valley and Sedona Medical Centers.
Jim has been appointed by Arizona Governors to serve on liability and healthcare task forces. Jim is also a lecturer for Bar organizations on the topics of healthcare law, ethics, insurance coverage and tort reform.
As a result of his appointment by Governor Janet Napolitano to the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Controls and his subsequent election as its Chairman, Jim has received first-hand experience in the litigation of administrative appeals. He applies this experience to the Firm's administrative adjudication practice, related to claims brought against licensed professionals.
Jim was a founding Director for the Boys & Girls Club of Cottonwood. He has also served on the Boards for United Way for Northern Arizona, the Verde Valley Fair Association and has provided volunteer legal services to a number of agencies, including the Sedona Center for the Arts, the Women's Sanctuary of Cottonwood, Sedona Jazz on the Rocks, and the Old Town Mission.
With the Old Town Mission, Jim was instrumental in establishing a monthly free legal clinic, and obtaining certification and licensures for a medical clinic. His wife, Rita, serves on the Board for the Old Town Mission to which both Jim and Rita devote a great deal of time.
Jim has also published articles in the area of hospital liability law and has served on the Board of Directors for the Arizona Association of Defense Counsel and the Defense Research Institute.
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The Ledbetter Law Firm, P.L.C., 1003 North Main Street, Cottonwood, Arizona 86326
