Musi, Merkins, Daubenberger & Clark, L.L.P. | Attorneys in Media, PA > Attorneys > James J. Merkins
Merkins, James VLF21645nweb

Jim Merkins has a broad general practice drawing from his experience as a judge, general counsel, and litigator. He currently focuses his practice in litigation with a specialty in construction law. Jim joined MMD&C as a Partner in 2017.

As Magisterial District Judge in Springfield, Judge Merkins hears both civil and criminal matters. The civil matters include contracts, torts, and landlord/tenant disputes. He also hears traffic cases, summary crimes, preliminary hearings, and sets bail in criminal cases.

In his prior role as general counsel for a large electrical contractor, Mr. Merkins was responsible for advising senior management on all aspects of sales and operations, including contract review, dispute resolution, and insurance coverage.

Jim honed his litigation skills with the law firms of Bouchard Margules &
Friedlander, P.A., Wilmington, DE, and Blank Rome, LLP, Philadelphia and
Wilmington. Prior to private practice, he was a law clerk for Chief Justice Myron T. Steele, Supreme Court of Delaware and a judicial intern for The Honorable Delores K. Sloviter, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
A magna cum laude graduate of Widener University School of Law, Jim also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History, with minors in Political Science and Middle Eastern Studies from Penn State University.

Representative Matters

  • Successfully represented electrical subcontractor in Philadelphia State & Federal Courts on large, mixed-use development projects;

  • Represented contractor before the DE Board of Electrical Examiners;

  • Represented electrical contractor & drafted all transaction documents for stock purchase agreement between shareholders;

  • Represented electrical subcontractor in payment dispute over floating solar array in NJ;

  • Represented excavator against general contractor in Westchester County Supreme Court, NY, obtaining a unanimous jury verdict in less than two years for entire demand plus interest (approximately $800k);

  • Represented several contractors with sale & purchase of office space;

  • Drafted contract templates for contractors & recruitment firm;

  • Represented solar developer against contractors in MA & VT state courts;

  • Represented solar contractor in $9M arbitration claim against developer;

  • Negotiated contracts for installation of 100+ MW of solar at professional football stadium, airports, hospitals, museums, and warehouses;

  • Managed/defended insurance claims for select clients (WC, Auto, GL);

  • Managed family law, estates, personal injury, and criminal defense matters for select clients, friends, and family.

Community Organizations

Delaware County Magisterial District Judges Assoc., Past-President (2020)

Delaware County Bar Association

American Bar Association

Ridley High School, Varsity Girls Soccer Coach

Radnor Soccer Club, Coach