Your Trusted Personal Injury Lawyers in Waterford, CT
James M. Harrington is a Connecticut-based, board-certified civil trial attorney who has dedicated his career to fighting for those injured due to negligence. With a practice focused entirely on personal injury and wrongful death litigation across the state of Connecticut, James brings more than a decade of experience, a proven record in the courtroom, and deep local roots to every case he takes.
Born and raised in southeastern Connecticut, James’s connection to the community runs deep. His father owned and operated The Wayfarer in New London for over 35 years, and James spent much of his youth in and around New London and Waterford. Today, James continues to serve his home state with pride, representing clients in towns and cities across eastern and central Connecticut.
James has recovered millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for clients in cases involving:
Car and truck accidents
Motorcycle and bicycle crashes
Slip and fall injuries
Wrongful death
Negligent security
Animal related injuries (dog bites, horse accidents)
Drunk and distracted driving collisions
Adventure and theme park accidents
James is known for his meticulous trial preparation, compelling courtroom advocacy, and relentless pursuit of justice for individuals and families whose lives have been upended by injury.
James’s work has earned recognition from some of the legal profession’s most prestigious organizations:
Best Lawyers in America, 2023, 2024, 2025
Super Lawyers, 2022–Present
Rising Star by Super Lawyers, 2013–2018
Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers Association, 2014–2019
Professional Excellence Award, Connecticut Law Tribune, 2018
New Leaders in the Law, Connecticut Law Tribune, 2015
“Ascending Alumni”, Western New England Law School, 2018
In 2018, James was elected to the Board of Governors for the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association, reflecting his role as a respected voice within the state’s trial bar.
Learn more about James and his accolades here
In addition to trial work, James has handled appeals before the Connecticut Supreme Court, Connecticut Appellate Court, and United States Supreme Court. His most notable case, Lewis v. Clarke, involved tribal sovereign immunity and resulted in a unanimous U.S. Supreme Court decision that reshaped tribal law nationwide—based on the arguments he advanced.
James continues to be a leading authority on tribal and casino injury law, representing clients injured at Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods.
James has been invited to speak on legal issues for both the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association and the Connecticut Bar Association, leading CLE presentations on:
Bicycle crash litigation
Slip and fall trial strategies
Use of social media at trial
Tribal law in Connecticut
James has also been a guest lecturer at the University of Connecticut School of Law on Trial Methods since 2014.
A dedicated triathlete and Ironman competitor, James brings the same endurance, preparation, and persistence to his legal practice that he brings to the race course. He lives in East Haddam, Connecticut with his wife and three sons and proudly serves clients across the state—especially those in southeastern Connecticut, including New London, Waterford, Groton, East Lyme, Montville, Salem, Norwich, and surrounding communities.
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We are committed to provide personalized attention to each and every client’s case – no matter how large or small– because that is each client’s only case. We are proud of our firm’s reputation of combining integrity and compassion with an unflinching dedication to getting the right result. We will do what we say.
