James Spagnuolo

Before becoming an attorney, I had a life-changing stint in the United States Marine Corps that shaped the rest of my life, and even my career as an attorney. You see, every marine has 14 leadership traits instilled in them in bootcamp: Justice, Judgment, Dependability, Integrity, Decisiveness, Tact, Initiative, Endurance, Bearing, Unselfishness, Courage, Knowledge, Loyalty and Enthusiasm. I’ve carried these traits with me wherever I go, and I’ve worked to instill them in the attorneys and staff at J. Spagnuolo & Associates, P.C. and every case we handle.

I have spent my entire legal career working for people injured or killed in auto accidents and from other forms of negligence, most notably the victims of negligence in adult foster care / group homes.

I began working in personal injury law more than 20 years ago, starting as a law clerk during my first year of law school at Wayne State University School of Law in Detroit. After passing the bar exam in 2002, I went on to become a partner at a series of law firms before opening the Macomb Law Group in 2017. Most recently, I’ve taken that same approach, team, mentality and track record to our clients throughout St. Clair County.

I have a genuine passion for helping people taken advantage of or who have been injured as a result of someone’s negligence. I have vast experience handling truck and car accident cases — including filing a lawsuit against the negligent parties, to compensate my clients for their injuries, as well as filing a lawsuit against my client’s insurance company for refusing to pay benefits my client is entitled to under the policy my client paid his/her hard earned money for to protect them in the event of an accident.

My 19 year old son was born with Down syndrome, allowing me a unique perspective into the world of persons who have disabilities. Over the past 19 years I have developed a passion for helping adults, with issues similar to my son, that have become victims of the negligence and/or greed of those who are responsible for their safety and well being. Like any adult, people with cognitive disabilities want independence as they achieve adulthood. To allow them to obtain independence oftentimes these adults, our most vulnerable in society, will move into an Adult Foster Care/Group Home, where they have a staff of direct care workers who provide them the support, services and protection they require. Sadly, many times the owners of these homes are more concerned with the “bottom line” over the safety of the residents, and thus inadequately or inappropriately staff the homes.

During my years of practice, I have also handled product defects cases, wrongful death actions, and other forms of personal injury claims.

I am a proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps, receiving an Honorable Discharge, and am a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans. I also proudly serve on multiple boards: Vice President of the Chippewa Valley Educational Foundation, a nonprofit that raises money to help further education in the Chippewa Valley School District,; and as a Director on the board of the Macomb County Bar Association.

I live in Clinton Township with my wife, children and two dogs, who, I happily report, take up most of my free time…I wouldn’t have it any other way!

Jim Spagnuolo, Personal Injury Attorney

Bar & Legal Organization Memberships

State Bar of Michigan
Macomb County Bar Association
Italian American Bar Association
American Association for Justice
Michigan Association for Justice – Sustaining Member
Brain Injury Association of Michigan
Delta Theta Phi Law Fraternity

Education

Wayne State University School of Law (Juris Doctor)
Michigan State University (Bachelor of Arts in Communication)

Professional Experience

Lopatin, Miller, Freedman, Bluestone, Herskovic & Domol, Law Clerk (2000-2002)
Freedman & Herskovic, Associate Attorney (2002-2009)
Freedman, Herskovic & Spagnuolo, Partner (2009-2014)
Bone, Bourbeau, Lizza & Spagnuolo, PLLC, Partner (2014-2017)
Macomb Law Group, Founder (2017-present)