Profile

Jim is Chair of the McNees Automotive Dealership Law Group. He joined the firm as a business litigator in 1992 after a clerkship with the Pennsylvania Superior Court. He handles litigation projects in state and federal court, administrative proceedings, arbitration, and mediation.

Jim’s practice includes the following areas:

  • Commercial and Business Litigation
  • Corporate and Entity Control Disputes
  • Financial Services and Creditor Rights
  • Franchising, particularly Automotive Dealership Franchising

What does Jim do for Clients
As a business litigator, Jim represents clients of the firm in all forms of transactional disputes including defense and prosecution of claims related to business transactions, claims involving corporate, partnership, and other business entity control, asset purchase agreements, stock purchase agreements, commercial lending, commercial leases, and non-competition agreements. He represents automobile dealers in franchise disputes including relocation, new point, and termination cases.

As Associate General Counsel to McNees, Jim advises the firm on ethics, conflicts, and loss prevention. He also serves as in-house counsel on professional and other litigation against the firm and its professionals.

Jim has a long-time interest in pro bono service and in the delivery of legal services to disadvantaged populations. He has dedicated numerous hours of pro bono legal advice to individuals and families in the central Pennsylvania community, has served as the firm’s pro bono advisor for many years, and is currently on the firm’s pro bono committee. Jim has served as Chair of the Dauphin County Bar Association’s Public Service Committee since 1997 and is: President of the Community Justice Project, President-Elect of MidPenn Legal Services, and a Past-President of the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network.

How does Jim spend his free time?
Jim is a lifelong Pennsylvanian. He grew up in Duryea, attended college in Philadelphia, and law school in Carlisle. Jim lives in Wormleysburg, and spends many weekends at his second home in Eagles Mere. Outside of professional endeavors, Jim enjoys working on his houses, fishing, and listening to music.

EDUCATION

Temple University, BA, 1988, magna cum laude, 

The Dickinson School of Law, JD, 1991, Dickinson Law Review, Appellate Moot Court Board, Woolsack Honor Society

Law Clerk to Hon. Peter Paul Olszewski, Pennsylvania Superior Court, 1991-1992

HONORS/AWARDS

Pennsylvania Bar Association Jeffrey A. Ernico Award, 2017

Local Legal Leaders, 2016

Select Lawyers, 2014

Legal Services Corporation Pro Bono Award, 2013

Legal Intelligencer Unsung Hero, 2012

Litigation Counsel of America, 2011-present

Pennsylvania Super Lawyers, 2011-present   

Gary Yenkowski Award, McNees Wallace & Nurick, 2009

Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation, Banking and Finance Litigation, Mergers and Acquisitions Litigation, 2008-present

Service Beyond Self Award, Harrisburg Rotary Club, 2005

Legal Intelligencer Lawyers on the Fast Track, 2005

Dauphin County Bar Association Pro Bono Attorney of the Year, 2001, 2017

Pennsylvania Bar Association Pro Bono Award, 2000

MEMBERSHIPS

American Bar Association

American Bar Foundation

  • Benefactor Fellow

Community Justice Project

  • President
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association appointed Board Member

Cumberland County Bar Association

Dauphin County Bar Association

  • President, 2010
  • Chair, Dauphin County Bar Association Legal Services to the Public Committee, 1997-Present

Dauphin County Bar Foundation Board

Litigation Counsel of America

  • Senior Fellow

Lipsitt Inn of Court, Master

Luzerne County Bar Association

MidPenn Legal Services

  • President Elect (2020)
  • Past-President (2014-2016)
  • Dauphin County Bar Association appointed Board Member

Pennsylvania Bar Association

  • Legal Services to the Public Committee, Co-Chair, 2003
  • House of Delegates
  • Planning Committee

Pennsylvania Bar Association PAC

  • Co-chair

Pennsylvania Bar Foundation Member

Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network

  • Past-President

COURT ADMISSIONS

U.S. District Court – Eastern District of Pennsylvania

U.S. District Court – Middle District of Pennsylvania

U.S. District Court – Western District of Pennsylvania

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit

U.S. Supreme Court

Bar Admissions

Pennsylvania

PRESS RELEASES

September 30, 2022 - MidPenn Legal Services Recognizes James DeAngelo’s Devotion to Justice Access

August 18, 2022 - Best Lawyers® Recognizes 34 McNees Attorneys, Six Named “Lawyer of the Year”

May 23, 2022 - 12 Pennsylvania McNees Attorneys Recognized by Super Lawyers®

August 19, 2021 - 39 McNees Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers®, Six Named “Lawyer of the Year”

May 26, 2021 - Ten Pennsylvania McNees Attorneys Recognized by Super Lawyers

August 24, 2020 - 34 McNees Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers®, Four Named “Lawyer of the Year”

June 29, 2020 - Thirteen McNees Attorneys Among 2020 PA Super Lawyers and Rising Stars List

August 15, 2019 - 33 McNees Attorneys Among 2020 Best Lawyers in America, 7 Named Lawyer of the Year

May 9, 2019 - McNees Attorneys Among 2019 PA Super Lawyers and Rising Stars List

August 15, 2018 - 35 McNees Attorneys Among 2019 Best Lawyers in America

October 2, 2017 - McNees Attorney James DeAngelo Honored with the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Jeffrey A. Ernico Award

August 15, 2017 - 38 McNees Attorneys Selected as 2018 Best Lawyers in America

January 27, 2017 - McNees Attorney Jim DeAngelo Receives Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year Award

December 8, 2016 - McNees Wallace & Nurick attorneys recognized as “Local Legal Leaders” by Harrisburg Magazine

September 29, 2016 - Retired State Police Association of Pennsylvania Recognizes McNees for Pro Bono Work

August 15, 2016 - 37 McNees Attorneys Selected by 2017 Best Lawyers in America

June 9, 2016 - McNees Wallace & Nurick attorneys selected as 2016 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

June 6, 2016 - MidPenn Legal Services executive director received United Way’s Grady Award

March 28, 2016 - James P. DeAngelo Appointed President of Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network

December 8, 2015 - McNees Attorneys Selected as 2015 Select Lawyers

August 17, 2015 - 39 McNees Attorneys Selected by 2016 Best Lawyers in America 7 named 2016 “Lawyers of the Year’’

June 2, 2015 - McNees Wallace & Nurick Attorneys Selected as 2015 Local Legal Leaders

January 20, 2015 - Dauphin County Bar Association names Pamela Polacek as President