James D. Cardea is a partner with over 29 years of litigation and jury trial experience. He has been consistently recognized as one of the region’s top medical malpractice attorneys. Jim is a tenacious, aggressive, and extremely effective advocate for victims of medical negligence and has successfully served as lead counsel in hundreds of medical malpractice cases throughout Maryland, Washington, D.C. Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey. He has extensive trial experience as the “first chair” in medical malpractice cases and has achieved one of the most impressive trial records among medical malpractice attorneys in the Baltimore-Washington, D.C. corridor. Indeed, Jim has obtained numerous seven-figure jury verdicts and settlements which have been featured in The Baltimore Sun and The Daily Record, among other publications. Jim’s many notable verdicts include a $1.75 million verdict in a Baltimore County jury trial which, according to topverdict.com, was one of the largest medical malpractice verdicts in the country in 2019.
Jim has been named repeatedly as one of Maryland’s top 100 attorneys by Maryland Super Lawyers and as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by the American Trial Lawyers Association. In 2025, Jim was selected by Super Lawyers as one of the top 10 lawyers in the state of Maryland. This prestigious honor is based upon both evaluation and independent research including professional achievements and peer recognition. Additionally, after receiving nominations from around the state of Maryland, The Daily Record and Maryland State Bar Association named Jim as one of their 2025 Leaders In Law honorees. Jim was selected based upon his outstanding dedication to his occupation and community as well as his strong commitment to public service.
Jim is a proud member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). Membership in ABOTA is by invitation only and, to be invited, members must demonstrate, among other requirements, sufficient trial experience, civility, integrity and professionalism in the court room. Over the course of his distinguished career, Jim has also been included in Best Lawyers in America, Best Attorneys in America, The National Association of Distinguished Counsel (Top Attorneys) and the National Trial Lawyers Top 100, as well as several other organizations. In 2022 and 2023, respectively, Jim was one of only 25 attorneys in Maryland named to the Daily Record’s Personal Injury & Medical Malpractice Law Power List. Identified as one of the finest and most influential practitioners in Maryland, Jim was selected to this exclusive list after the Daily Record’s editorial team consulted their readers and other individuals in the legal community for their input and perspective.
Jim received his undergraduate degree from McDaniel College and graduated cum laude from the University of Baltimore School of Law, where he received American Jurisprudence Awards in Legal Analysis, Research and Writing (1992) and Domestic Relations (1994). He was also a Staff Editor for the University of Baltimore Law Review from 1994-1995 and was awarded membership to the Heuisler Honor Society.
In addition to his professional activities, each September, Jim sponsors the Dr. Don Cardea Memorial Golf Tournament benefiting the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia. His selfless efforts have raised significant sums to benefit the patients of Fox Chase who bravely battle their insidious disease. Jim has also addressed pre-law students at his alma mater, McDaniel College, and Penn State University, providing these students with guidance and advice regarding careers in law. An avid sports fan and golfer, he has coached various youth sports. Jim is married with three daughters.
