James D. Bragdon

James is an experienced litigator who specializes in civil disputes and risk management for Gallagher’s real estate, healthcare, and non-profit clients. He has extensive trial experience and has obtained favorable verdicts in bench and jury trials in state and federal courts in Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Virginia. James’ practice areas include the following:

Real Estate and Property Management.  James advises the firm’s real estate and property management clients on business strategy, litigation, and dispute resolution.  He works daily on a variety of issues, including fair housing, residential and commercial leases, claims management, insurance coverage, regulatory compliance, and crisis response.

James has specialized expertise in advising and representing clients in the multifamily housing industry, assisting them in achieving their business and legal goals. James regularly represents multifamily clients in and out of court, including defending clients in class-action and governmental investigations as follows:

• Representation in class-action case alleging violation of COVID-19 rent increase violations;
• Representation in class-action and governmental investigations into alleged price-fixing in multifamily housing industry;
• Defense of class-action claims filed against an affordable property manager, alleging illegal charges and consumer protection violations;
• Defense of allegations of source-of-income discrimination related to credit and criminal screening of applicants;
• Defense of apartment building owners in class-action consumer protection and negligence claims alleging construction defects and mold exposure;
• Response to governmental investigations alleging illegal fees.

Health Care Litigation and Risk Management. James defends health care providers in litigation and advises them on a wide array of risk management issues.  James represents hospitals, physicians, practice groups, and long-term care facilities in state and federal litigation.

James maintains an active civil rights pro bono practice, representing incarcerated and indigent clients in state and federal litigation. He also serves as an Adjunct Professor of Law at Maryland Carey Law, teaching a seminar on Pretrial Civil Litigation.

James majored in mathematics at Duke University before attending the University of Maryland School of Law.  After law school, James served as a law clerk for the Honorable Sally D. Adkins at the Maryland Court of Appeals. He was named to The Daily Record’s “Leaders in Law” list in 2023.

Civic and Charitable Service

Co-chair of the Lawyers’ Alliance for the Public Justice Center (2022-present)