Jim Wilkes

Jim Wilkes was recently named as one of the top 10 most influential people by Long Term Living Magazine.

Mr. Wilkes was (born November 6, 1950) is a well-known Tampa, Florida native, who has made national news for his outspoken advocacy on behalf of nursing home residents who have been victims of abuse. To some, Wilkes is a hero, to others he is a controversial figure.

Mr. Wilkes received his undergraduate degree from the University of South Florida and his Juris Doctor degree from Stetson University College of Law in 1983 and founded the law firm of Wilkes & McHugh, P.A. in 1985.

Jim Wilkes has gained national recognition for handling nursing home abuse and neglect lawsuits and his law firm, Wilkes & McHugh, P.A. was recognized by The National Law Journal as one of the top 20 go-to law firms in the nation for its work in the area of nursing home abuse and neglect. He has been featured in People Magazine, as well as on television shows such as Dateline, 48 Hours and CBS Evening News. He has been both praised and criticized for his aggressive representation of his clients. One profile cast him as either “Angel or Anti-Christ” saying he was an angel to plaintiffs but a “demon” to nursing home operators (Arkansas Times, December 7, 2001) and was once called a “migratory predator” by the director of the Alabama nursing home association.

He is licensed to practice law in 8 states including Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee and is a member of the American Bar Association, and the American Association for Justice, (formerly Association of Trial Lawyers of America).