EQUITY PARTNER
James E. Payne
Since joining the firm in 1995, James has helped many clients and their families receive the justice they deserve, including historical and record-breaking settlements for wrongful death litigation cases. James is triple-certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Personal Injury Trial Law and by the National Board of Trial Advocacy as a Civil Trial and Pretrial Practice Advocate. James is heavily involved in the community and his church and spearheads local “Get Out to Vote” efforts.
Location: Beaumont, Texas
Phone: 409-203-5030
Fax: 409-838-8888
Email: Contact James
Starting in 2003, James has been selected for the Texas Super Lawyers listing by Thomson Reuters every year. Texas Super Lawyers represents only 5 percent of the lawyers in the state. He became a certified member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Additionally, James has been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© listing every year since 2006 and was named “Lawyer of the Year” for his work in Product Liability Litigation on behalf of plaintiffs. Payne is a member of many legal organizations including the American Board of Trial Advocates, International Society of Barristers, and Texas Trial Lawyer Association. He is also very involved in civic organizations and is a lifetime member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Additionally, from 2012 to 2014, he served as the Grand Sire (International President) Archon of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Payne developed the nationally recognized “Buy 90 Campaign” which was designed to economically empower the Black community in Southeast Texas. He has also created numerous campaigns as part of his “Get Out to Vote” effort. These include “1 Reaches 7 Challenge,” a social media challenge designed to encourage voting and “Payne in Politics,” a video campaign where Payne interviewed elected officials and candidates discussing roles and educating the community on the importance of voting. Payne is highly sought after as a motivational speaker by many organizations, schools, and churches. Payne also authored a book, I am Healed, But I am Still Sick?
Areas of Practice
- Personal Injury
- Products Liability
- Industrial Work Site Accidents
- Automobile Accident
- Premises Liability
Board Certifications
- Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 1999
- Certified Civil Trial Advocate, National Board of Trial Advocacy, 2001
- Pretrial Practice Advocate, National Board of Trial Advocacy, 2012
- Certified Director, National Association of Corporate Directors, 2023
Bar Admissions
- Texas, 1993
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court Southern District of Texas
- U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit
- U.S. Supreme Court
Education
University of Houston Law Center, Houston, Texas
- Doctor of Jurisprudence – 1993
- Honors: Order of Barristers
University of Houston
- Bachelor of Science – 1989
- Graduated with Honors
- Major: Political Science
Honors and Awards
- Lawdragon’s 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers – Plaintiffs in personal injury claims, 2023
- Lawdragon’s 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers – Plaintiffs in personal injury claims, 2022
- “Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers® in America, U.S. News, for Products Liability – Plaintiffs, 2021
- International Society of Barristers
- Texas Super Lawyer, a Thomson Reuters Business, 2003-2022
- Martindale-Hubbell: “AV” Rated
- Member of American Board of Trial Advocates ABOTA
- Member of Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- Best Lawyers in America®, US News, 2006 – 2023
- Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation
- Top 100: Houston Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters Business, 2013
- Extraordinary Minorities in Texas Law, Texas Lawyer, 2015
Professional Associations and Memberships
- State Bar of Texas, Member
- American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), Member
- College of the State Bar of Texas, Member
- American Association for Justice
- Texas Trial Lawyers Association, Member
- Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Member
- National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Life Member
Fraternities
- Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
- Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (Life Member)
Notable Cases
- James E. Payne and Matthew Matheny obtained the largest wrongful death settlement for an individual against a defendant in South Carolina History. Read more about it here.
- James E. Payne obtained the largest wrongful death settlement for a single individual and his family in the firm’s 54-year history.
- $9 million class action resolution for race discrimination against Texaco, Star Enterprise, et al.
See what James’ clients are saying:
It only comes with experience and resources that a team of attorneys would not rush to settle. The Provost Umphrey Law Firm did not rush to settle… It was difficult to wait and I often felt overwhelmed, but in the end, with the help, guidance and communication from Fabiana and Deborah, that chapter of my life is finished and a new chapter begins.
JC Milch
I can’t thank James, Fabiana, Deborah and the entire Provost Umphrey Team enough for helping me navigate the medical and legal system.
Throughout this litigation, James Payne worked diligently to make sure myself and family had the best outcome and experience with the Provost Umphrey Law Firm. I highly recommend him and the firm … not only was he my lawyer but I also gained a friend.
Sierra N.
