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James L. Cannella, Jr. is a partner with Downey & Cleveland, LLP in Marietta, Georgia.
Jimmy’s litigation practice primarily focuses on representing defendants in personal injury cases, including auto accidents, pedestrians, and uninsured motorists.
He also handles premises liability litigation in the areas of negligent security and dog bites, along with a variety of other pursuit and litigation claims involving property damage, diminished value, insurance coverage disputes, and professional malpractice.
Jimmy has served as lead counsel in dozens of jury trials in Georgia’s trial courts, securing favorable verdicts for his clients.
Prior to joining the firm, Jimmy was a felony prosecutor for the States of Louisiana and Georgia, and he later worked at a large civil litigation firm exclusively representing plaintiffs.
He previously was employed as staff counsel for the largest auto insurer in the United States.
These previous experiences provide Jimmy with a wide-ranging perspective and wealth of practical experience that he brings to the table for each of his new clients, enabling him to better represent them in court.
Outside of the courtroom, Jimmy participates as a mentor and assists in mock trials for aspiring attorneys in high school and middle school.
Legal Assistant
Amanda Belcher
770-422-3233, ext. 1251
amanda@downeycleveland.com
Representative Results
Trial Courts
- Superior Court of Bartow County
Limited jury award to less than the claimed medical expenses with 49 percent fault apportioned to the plaintiff in rear-end auto case when plaintiff underwent shoulder surgery for a rotator cuff tear, but defendant testified that plaintiff caused accident by changing lanes immediately before impact - State Court of Cherokee County
Limited damages to under $5,000 in auto case involving a plaintiff who underwent knee surgery for a torn meniscus and denied having prior knee problems, but evidence revealed that he complained of knee pain to his primary care physician before the accident - State Court of Fulton County
Obtained $50,000 verdict for plaintiff who was a pedestrian struck by defendant’s vehicle, defendant denied being at fault, and defense made no offers before trial due to liability dispute
Practice Areas
- Personal Injury
- Property Damage
- Premises Liability
- Construction Litigation
- Insurance Coverage
- Appellate
Credentials
Education
- Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Loyola University, 1995
- Juris Doctorate, Loyola University, 1998
Court Admissions
- Georgia State and Superior Courts
- Georgia Court of Appeals
- Supreme Court of Georgia
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Goergia
- United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia
Professional Memberships
- State Bar of Georgia
- Cobb County Bar Association
- Georgia Defense Lawyers Association
- Louisiana State Bar Association
