James "Jim" Holliday, Florida Personal Injury Trial Attorney
James "Jim" Holliday is a Florida personal injury trial attorney and partner at Holliday Karatinos Law Firm, a boutique trial practice that represents seriously injured clients throughout the state. With more than 30 years of experience, Jim has built his reputation on relentless preparation, hands-on case investigation, and a willingness to take on complex cases that other firms decline.
Background and Education
A Florida native, Jim was born in Orlando and raised in Longwood, where he graduated from Lake Brantley High School. Wanting to serve his country and pay his own way through college, he competed against candidates from across the state for an ROTC scholarship and was awarded a full academic scholarship from the U.S. Army to attend Stetson University in DeLand, Florida.
At Stetson, Jim was selected for leadership roles across campus, including Chairman of the Orientation Program, Chairman of the United Way Fundraiser, ROTC Company Commander, member of the Mock Trial Team, and Social Chairman of his fraternity. He earned his Bachelor of Business Administration in 1990 and was commissioned as an officer in the United States Army Transportation Corps, where his superior officers described him as "an intelligent, motivated, and energetic officer."
Following the Gulf War, Jim attended Stetson University College of Law in St. Petersburg, Florida. During law school, he interned with the United States Attorney's Office in Tampa, provided litigation support at the Veterans Affairs Hospital, won Best Moot Court Brief, and earned the highest grade in his Torts (Personal Injury) class. He graduated with honors in 1994.
His Army service continues to shape how he leads cases today, particularly his ability to make critical decisions under pressure and to relate to clients, witnesses, and jurors from every background.
"I learned important leadership skills and developed a strong ethical foundation while serving our country in the Army. I learned how to make critical decisions under pressure and to work with other team members to successfully complete our mission."
How Jim Practices Law
Holliday Karatinos is intentionally not a high-volume personal injury mill. The firm keeps its caseload focused so that every client works directly with an attorney rather than a case manager. Former clients are the firm's largest source of new referrals, showcasing the dedication and relationship Holliday Karatinos provides to their clients.
Jim personally investigates the cases he takes, often visiting the scene of the injury to look for the forensic details that explain how and why the harm occurred. This hands-on approach is one reason the firm regularly accepts complex cases that other lawyers reject, including matters where liability is not obvious, the at-fault driver carries minimal insurance, or the injured client has a complicated medical history.
In a civil case, an injured plaintiff needs only to prove the case by the greater weight of the evidence. Jim aims much higher.
"I make it our mission to try to win decisively by a score of 51 to 3. I want the jury, judge, and appellate court to see that we won the case by a landslide."
He is known among colleagues as kind, creative, and tenacious, and he describes the values that guide his practice in three words: Respect, Trust, and Compassion.
Awards and Recognition
- Super Lawyer, an honor awarded to approximately 5% of Florida attorneys through peer nomination and independent research
- "Best Attorney" Lifetime Charter Member in Florida, a distinction limited to less than 1% of attorneys in the United States
- America's Top 100 High Stakes Litigators
- Lifetime Member, Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
Professional Memberships
- Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- Top 100 Lawyers in America
- The National Trial Lawyers
- American Association for Justice
- Florida Justice Association
