Overview

James Aist represents human services organizations, intermediate care facilities, mental health professionals, nurses, and hospitals in the defense of malpractice claims in Maryland and Washington, DC.  He has handled numerous cases involving wrongful death, suicide, sexual misconduct, pressure wounds, and serious complications from the alleged failure to render proper care.  He also defends  psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, counselors, nurses, and other medical providers in licensing matters before licensing Boards.  Jim represents public and private schools in the defense of serious personal injury cases.  He also represents human services organizations, schools and other businesses in the defense of employment discrimination claims.

Jim received his law degree from the University of Maryland School of Law, where he served on the editorial board of the Maryland Law Forum and received the William P. Cunningham Award for Exceptional Achievement and Service. Before joining Anderson, Coe & King, he served as a law clerk for the Honorable Elsbeth Levy Bothe of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City.

Jim is a member of the bar of the State of Maryland and the District of Columbia and is admitted to practice in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. He holds the “AV” peer review rating by Martindale-Hubbell and is a member of the prestigious Million Dollar Advocates Forum.  

Representative Cases and Reported Opinions

• Won a motion to dismiss with prejudice in a wrongful death and survival action against a non-profit adoption agency in Washington, D.C.
• Won summary judgment on behalf of a marriage and family therapist by proving that the Plaintiff was barred from recovery by the statute of limitations.
• Won summary judgment on behalf of  a school security company in a Washington, D.C. case in which a student stabbed and seriously injured another student.
• Successfully handled numerous professional licensing matters in both Maryland and Washington, D.C.  
• Won summary judgment in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland on behalf of a landlord in a case involving an alleged violation of the fire code in which the plaintiff suffered catastrophic injuries. The case was affirmed by the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.
• Won numerous jury verdicts and summary judgment motions on behalf of school boards in Maryland.
• Successfully represented the purchaser of commercial property in actions against a building inspection company and the seller of the building over building defects that were not disclosed at the time of the sale, resulting in a large settlement in favor of the purchaser.
• Won numerous summary judgment motions and court decisions on behalf of a leading automobile manufacturer concerning warranty claims.
• Obtained a $1.5 million settlement on behalf of a personal injury plaintiff who sustained a closed head injury in an automobile accident.

Honors

• Maryland Super Lawyers (2010-2025)
• Martindale-Hubbell AV Rating

Professional Associations / Memberships

• Maryland State Bar Association
• Defense Research Institute

Education

• University of Maryland School of Law (J.D., 1988)
  • William P. Cunningham Award for Exceptional Achievement and Service
  • Editorial Board, Maryland Law Forum
• University of Maryland College Park (B.A., magna cum laude, 1984)

Bar Admissions

• Maryland
• District of Columbia
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
• U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland
• U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia