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Practice Areas: Criminal Defense; Abduction/Kidnapping; Appeals, Criminal and Civil; Arson; Assault and Battery, Domestic Violence/Child Abuse; Breaking and Entering; Burglary; Computer Crimes/Pornography, Identity Theft; Conspiracy/Continuing Criminal Enterprise

Additional Information:

Professional Affiliations

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL)

West Virginia State Bar

Education and Other Significant Experience

Jim Zimarowski is well known from the media accounts of his jury trials as the preeminent criminal defense attorney in North Central West Virginia. Mr. Zimarowski has been doing trial work, both criminal and civil, for over twenty-five years.

Mr. Zimarowski's criminal jury trials are noteworthy not only for their results but the high level of advocacy and technical command demonstrated - raising the bar as it were - to insure a fair trial and adherence to the rule of law. Mr. Zimarowski's civil and administrative work, while not garnering the media attention, reflects a body of work reflecting the best of trial advocacy and good lawyering.

Martindale-Hubbell's peer rating for Jim Zimarowski is an "AV"- the highest available at the "preeminent" level for legal ability and ethics. Very few attorneys in Monongalia County have such a high peer rating.

Jim Zimarowski is a product of West Virginia educational institutions. He has six degrees: five from West Virginia institutions. He holds two undergraduate degrees from West Virginia Institute of Technology in Montgomery, and two Masters degrees from Marshall University. Mr. Zimarowski's first law degree is from West Virginia University where he served on Law Review and graduated near the top of his class, earning the prestigious Order of the Coif. He went on to earn a post doctoral degree in Law from the University of Illinois. Academically his credentials are unparalleled. Mr. Zimarowski has published numerous scholarly and law review articles which are cited and used by many scholars in the fields of labor, economics, and employment law.

Publications

Zimarowski, James B., Michael J. Radzicki, and William A Wines, "An Institutionalist Perspective on Law and Economics (Chicago Style) in the Context of United States Labor Law." Arizona Law Review, Volume 35, Number 2, pages 397-443 (1993).

Zimarowski, James B., "A Primer on Power Balancing Under the National Labor Relations Act." University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform, Volume 22, Number 1, pages 47-104 (1989).

Zimarowski, James B., "Interpreting Collective Bargaining Agreements: Ambiguity, Silence, and NLRA Section 8(d)." Industrial Relations Law Journal, Volume 10, Number 4, pages 465-508 (1988).

Zimarowski, James B., "Public Purpose, Law, and Economics: J. R. Commons and the Institutional Paradigm Revisited." West Virginia Law Review, Volume 90, Number 2, pages 387-416 ( Winter 1987-88).

Zimarowski, James B., "Book Review: The Hawk's Nest Incident: America's Worst Industrial Disaster." American Business Law Journal, Volume 25, Number 3, pages 567-70 (1987).

Zimarowski, James B., "The Viability of the Collective Bargaining Process: Corporate Transformations as Unchanneled Bargaining Power." Hofstra Labor Law Journal, Volume 3, Number 2, pages 137-203 (1986).

Zimarowski, James B., "Employer Evasion of the Collective Bargaining Agreement: Policy Directions and the Reagan NLRB." Labor Law Journal, Volume 37, Number 1 pages 50-60 (1986)

Zimarowski, James B., "The Limits Upon a Labor Union's 'Duty' to Control Wildcat Strikers." West Virginia Law Review, Volume 84, Number 3, pages 703-87 (1982).

Perrine, A. W., James B. Zimarowski, et al., "Survey of Developments in the Fourth Circuit, 1981." West Virginia Law Review, Volume 84, Number 3, pages 703-87 (1982).

Zimarowski, James B., "Abusive Discharge and Employment at Will." West Virginia Public Interest Law Report, Volume 5, Number 1, pages 7-10 (1982).

Zimarowski, James B., "Into the Mire of Uncertainty: Union Disciplinary Fines and NLRA Section 8(b) (1) (A)." West Virginia Law Review, Volume 84, Number 2, pages 411-34 (1982).

A SAMPLING OF SIGNIFICANT LITIGATION

State of West Virginia v. McIntyre, Monongalia Co. 10-F-571 (2011)

(Murder) (Pending)

State of West Virginia v. Minnis, Monongalia Co. Felony No. 10-F-213/214 (2011)

(Sexual Assault/Malicious Wounding) (Plea/Lesser Offense)

State of West Virginia v. Hausrath, Monongalia Co. Felony No. 10-F-103 (2010)

(Murder) (Plea Lesser/Offense)

United States v. Speciale 1:10CR61 (2011)

(CCE/Conspiracy) (Plea)

United States v. Kanios 1:10CR100 (2011)

(Firearms) (Pending)

State of West Virginia v. Vantrease, Monongalia County, Felony No. 10-F-14 (2010)

(Malicious Wounding) (Conviction)

State of West Virginia v. Morris, Marion Co. Felony No. 09-F-106 (2010)

(Vehicular Homicide) (Dismissed)

State of West Virginia v. Tobias, Lewis County, Felony No. 09-F-35 (2009)

((Manslaughter) (Plea/Lesser Offense))

United States v. Duelly, Federal Criminal No. 1:08CR12 (2008)

(Racketeering/ITAR/Prostitution) (Conviction)

State of West Virginia v. Podolsky, Marion Co. Felony No. 07-F-206 (2007)

(Murder) (Plea/Lesser Offense)

State of West Virginia v. Schleger, Preston Co. Felony No. 07-F-5 (2007)

(Murder) (Not Guilty)

State of West Virginia v. Eagle, Marion Co. Felony No. 06-F-77 (2006)

(Murder) (Mixed Verdict)

State of West Virginia v. Michael, Monongalia Co. Felony No. 06-F-151 (2006)

(Murder/Arson) (Mixed Verdict)

State of West Virginia v. Cleveland, Monongalia Co. Felony No. 06-F-148 (2006)

(Murder) (Conviction)

State of West Virginia v. Lister, Marion Co. Felony No. 05-F-90 (2005)

(Murder) (Conviction)

U. S. v. Martin, Federal Criminal No. 1:05CR21 (2005) (Drugs)

(Mixed Verdict)

State of West Virginia v. Friend, IV, Preston Co. Felony No. 05-F-40 (2005)

(Murder) (Plea/Lesser Offense)

State of West Virginia v. Tilko, Marion Co. Felony No. 03-F-40 (2003)

(Embezzlement) (Plea)

U. S. v. Kelly, Federal Criminal No. 1:03CR50-1 (2003)

(Firearms) (Mixed Verdict)

State of West Virginia v. Moats, Monongalia Co. Felony No. 03-F-64 (2003)

(Murder) (Plea/Lesser Offense)

U. S. v. Ensell, Federal Criminal No. 1:02CR21 (2002)

(Terrorist Threats) (Plea)

State of West Virginia v. Ferguson, Monongalia Co. Felony No. 02-F-95 (2002)

(Murder) (Conviction)

U. S. v. Jackson, Federal Felony No. 3:02CR, (2002)

(Murder/Drugs) (Conviction/Non-Death Penalty)

State of West Virginia v. Nicholas, Monongalia Co. Felony No. 01-F-36 (2001)

(Murder) (Not Guilty/Mixed Verdict)

U. S. v. Filcheck, Federal Criminal No. 1:01CR45 (2001)

(Medicare Fraud) (Conviction)

State of West Virginia v. Bohon, Monongalia Co. Felony No. 00-F-54 (2000)

(Murder) (Mixed Verdict)

State of West Virginia v. Cox, Harrison Co. Felony No. 99-F-74-1 (1999)

(Murder) (Not Guilty/Mixed Verdict)

State of West Virginia v. Baylor, Preston Co. Felony No. 98-F-16 (1998)

(Assault) (Mixed Verdict)

State of West Virginia v. Kent, Marion Co. Felony No. 98-F-167 (1998) (2007)

(Murder) (Mixed Verdict)

State of West Virginia v. Komons, Monongalia Co. Felony No. 97 F 115 (1997)

(Sexual Assault) (Mixed Verdict)

State of West Virginia v. Titler, Marion Co. Felony No. 95-F-53 (1996)

(Murder & Kidnapping) (Not Guilty)

Uphold v. WVU et al., Monongalia Co. Civil Action No. 96-C-160 (1996)

(Discrimination) (Plaintiff=s Verdict)

State of West Virginia v. Dower, Preston Co. Felony No. 96-F- (1996)

(Kidnapping/Hostage taking) (Not Guilty)

State of West Virginia v. Thompson, Monongalia Co. Felony No. 95-F- (1995)

(Serial Murder) (Plea)

State of West Virginia v. Zinn, Preston Co. Felony No. 95-F- (1995)

(Sexual Assault) (Not Guilty)

U. S. v. Knibbs a/k/a Jamaican Paul, Federal Criminal No.: 5:90-CR122-02 (1995)

(Continuing Criminal Enterprise/CCE/Firearms) (Conviction)

Humphries et al. v. Crosby et al., Monongalia Co. Civil Action No. 92-C-841 (1995)

(Medical Malpractice) (Settlement)

State of West Virginia v. Hetrick, Jr. Marion Co. Felony No. 94-F- (1994)

(Murder) (Not Guilty)

Circuit Clerk of Marion County, et al. v. Marion County Commission, Civil Action No. 94-C- (1994)

(Government funding and budget process) (Settlement)

U. S. v. Parker, Federal Criminal No. 2:93CR (1993)

(Obstruction of Justice) (Not Guilty)

State of West Virginia v. Hawkins, Monongalia Co. Felony No. 93-F-113 & 94-F-268 (1993 & 1995)

(Serial Sexual Assault) (Conviction)

State of West Virginia v. Hamrick, Monongalia Co. Felony No. 91-F- (1991)

(Murder) (Not Guilty)

State of West Virginia v. Boone, Marion Co. Felony No. 90-F- (1990)

(Murder, Kidnapping, et al.) (Conviction)

A Sample of Significant Appellate Work

State of West Virginia v. Kent, 678 S.E. 2d 26 (WV 2009)

(murder: double jeopardy)

United States v. Pyles, 2008 U.S.APP. LEXIS 7286 (4th Cir. 2008)

(sentencing variance)

Pyles v. United States, 128 S.Ct. 865, 169 L.Ed 713, 76 U.S.L.W. 3343 (2008)

(Gall issue)

United States v. Martin, 2008 APP. LEXIS 723 (4th Cir. 2008)

(Judicial fact-finding)

United States v. Pyles, 482 F.3d 282 (4th Cir. 2007), vacated and remanded, USSCt., 2008 U.S. LEXIS 25 (Jan. 7, 2008)

(sentencing variance)

United States v. Jones, 214 Fed. Appx. 329 (4th Cir. 2007)

(sentencing issue)

United States v. Filcheck, 165 Fed. Appx. 284 (4th Cir. 2006)

(Booker issue)

State of West Virginia v. Ferguson, 607 S.E.2d 526 (WV 2004)

(murder: confrontation issue)

Board of Trustees of Fireman's Pension and Relief Fund of the City of Fairmont v. The City of Fairmont, 599 S.E.2d 789 (WV 2004)

(COLA interpretation)

State of West Virginia v. Bohon, 565 S.E.2d 399 (WV 2002)

(murder; privileges; confrontation issues)

State of West Virginia v. Baylor, 542 S.E.2d 399 (WV 2000)

(assault; confrontation issues)

State Ex Rel Hall v. Liller, 536 S.E.2d 120 (WV 2000)

(murder; battered woman syndrome; ineffective assistance)

United States v. Musgrove, U.S. APP. LEXIS 16331 (4th Cir. 1999)

(relevant conduct: drugs)

Kincell, et al. v. Marion County Board of Education, 499 S.E.2d. 862 (WV 1997) (teacher contracts)

State ex rel. Stuckey v. Trent 505 S.E.2d 417 (WV 1998)

(murder: felony murder)

Ayersman v. Monongalia County Commission, et.al., 482 S.E.2d 140 (WV 1996)

(government immunity)

United States v. Watson, 94 F.3d 643 (4th Cir. 1996) (sentencing guidelines)

State ex rel. McGraw v. Suarez et. al., 472 S.E.2d 792 (WV 1996)

(consumer fraud)

State ex rel. Brewer v. Starcher, 465 S.E.2d 184 (WV 1995)

(criminal procedure, plea agreements)

State of West Virginia v. Jessica M. et al., 445 S.E.2d 243 (WV 1994)

(termination of parental rights)

United States v. Parker, 28 F.3d 1211 (4th Cir., 1994)

(criminal procedure, rule 29 motions)

Nutter v. Monongahela Power Company, 4 F.3d 319 (4th Cir. 1993)

(civil preemption, removal and remand)

Numerous other petitions and writs filed, but not accepted for briefing, before the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court.