Co-Founder, Practice Group Leader – Business Litigation Group
James M. Gonzalez
Licensed in Florida and District of Columbia
James Gonzalez is a co-founder of Cobb & Gonzalez, P.A., focusing his practice on construction and business litigation, general liability, government contracts, business transactions, and estate planning. With over 15 years of legal experience and an MBA, James offers strategic guidance on litigation management, compliance, contract disputes, and risk prevention for businesses.
He has represented a wide range of clients, including homeowners, HOAs, engineering firms, contractors, and suppliers in matters involving construction defects, negligence, and liability claims. His legal insight spans from corporate formation to complex litigation.
James was appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis to the Florida Board of Professional Engineers in 2022 and now serves as Vice Chair. He also serves as a Major in the U.S. Air Force JAG Corps, where he advises on military justice, government contracts, and estate planning for service members.
In Jacksonville’s legal community, James has served as Treasurer of the Hispanic Bar Association of Northeast Florida and was co-commissioner of the Jacksonville Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Section Sports League.
A passionate advocate for pancreatic cancer awareness, James helped raise over $400,000 for PanCAN and served as the Northeast Florida Affiliate Coordinator.
James earned his JD and MBA from Villanova University in 2007 and graduated from the University of South Florida in 2003. He moved to Jacksonville in 2009 and lives with his wife and two children. In his free time, he enjoys building Jeeps, coaching baseball, fishing, woodworking, golf, and spending time with his family.
Honors and Awards
- AV® Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell
- Florida Trend Florida Legal Elite 2022
- Best Lawyers in Construction Litigation and Construction Law for 2024
- Super Lawyers in Business Litigation 2022, 2023, 2024
- Super Lawyers Rising Star in Business Litigation 2021
- 2020 Jacksonville Business Journal “40 Under 40”
Admissions
- The Florida Bar, 2007
- The D.C. Bar
- The Jacksonville Bar Association
- U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Florida
- U.S. District Court Southern District of Florida
Education
- Villanova University, School of Law, J.D.
- Moot Court Quarterfinalist, Farmworkers’ Clinic
- Academic Scholarship
- Dean’s List
- Villanova University, School of Business, M.B.A.
- China Business Management Study Abroad participant
- University of South Florida
- College of Business
- B.S. – Finance
- Business National Honor Society
- United States Air Force Squadron Office School
- United States Army Government Contract Attorney’s Course
PRIOR RESULTS DO NOT GUARANTEE A SIMILAR OUTCOME
- Represented a condominium association – multi-building with hundreds of units – in a construction defect litigation against a prominent general contracting company, developer, and design firm. The general contractor sued dozens of its subcontracted trades. Ultimately reached a settlement with all parties in excess of $8,500,000 in recovery for the condominium association.
- Obtained summary final judgment for construction subcontractor in a multi-million dollar condominium association litigation claiming construction defects, design defects and building code violations. Summary judgment was obtained as a result of pointed discovery requests, targeted deposition testimony, thorough drafting of motions with references to numerous exhibits, and oral arguments before the Court.
- Represented and defended window manufacturer in multi-million dollar single-family home complex-construction defect case. Homeowner and Contractor brought claims against window manufacturer in excess of a million dollars. Defense verdict was ultimately obtained on behalf of window manufacturer; resulting in Court awarding our client reimbursement of attorney’s fees and costs.
- Represented a condominium association – multi-building with hundreds of units – in a construction defect litigation against a prominent national builder. The builder sued dozens of its subcontracted trades. This six-year litigation dealt with intricate claims against the builder. The parties were involved in extensive motion practice, depositions of dozens of corporate executives, experts and board members and the exchange of hundreds of thousands of pages of documents. Ultimately reached a settlement with the national builder resulting in $8,750,000 in recovery for the condominium association.
- Represented and defended concrete subcontractor in condominium class action for construction defects, design defects and building code violations in excess of $8,000,000 in damages. Ultimately reached settlement during the month-long trial.
- Represented and defended architectural firm and professional architect, individually, in professional negligence claim of over two million dollars in damages brought by developer. Obtained defense verdict in favor of clients after years of litigation, hundreds of hours of depositions, and multiple dispositive motions hearings before the Court.
- Represented General Contractor against property owner and developer regarding ownership/land rights dispute valued in excess of $1,000,000.00.
- Obtained summary final judgment for architectural firm and professional architect, individually, in multi-million dollar condominium litigation claiming construction defects, design defects and building code violations.
- Obtained favorable settlement for synthetic sheathing company in construction defect litigation for multi-million dollar single-family home.
- Obtained summary judgment for condominium association in breach of fiduciary duty, defamation, and fraud claims.
- Represented boat manufacturer in products liability and products defect litigation resulting in a week long jury trial.
- Represented national freight company against claims of negligent handling of goods, breach of contract and loss of use; resulting in week long bench trial in Federal Court.
- Represented multiple cargo parties in El Faro maritime tragedy.
- Represented transportation company against security company for claims relating to theft of property during shipment.
- Represented various clients in pursuit/defense of breach of contract claims, open accounts, accounts stated and goods sold.
- Negotiated and revised chiropractic business purchase agreement in Lakeland, Florida.
- Negotiated single family home purchase agreements for prospective owners against statewide and national home builders.
- Negotiated and revised physician group purchase agreements for local medical providers.
- Drafted business formation filings, and governing bylaws for local medical professionals.
- Drafted business formation filings and operating agreements for business entities.
- Drafted construction contracts, insurance proceeds contracts, and master subcontract agreements for local contractors.
- Negotiated detailed land purchase and custom home construction contract for home owner.
- Drafted and revised home warranty for national home builder.
- Negotiated and drafted equity purchase agreement for local retailer.
- Reviewed employment contracts and provided legal guidance regard terms and conditions, non-competition, and non-solicitation language within contracts.
- Successfully defended a national retail chain in a premises liability lawsuit, securing a favorable settlement for the client against allegations of inadequate security resulting in a customer injury.
- Successfully obtained dismissal of a liquor liability/dram shop claim against restaurant by demonstrating lack of evidence connecting the alleged over-service of alcohol to the subsequent accident, saving the client from potential significant financial liability.
- Secured a favorable outcome for a commercial property owner accused of negligence in maintaining safe premises, successfully refuting claims of inadequate lighting leading to a slip and fall accident.
- Obtained summary judgment in favor of a transportation company in an automobile liability case, successfully arguing that the plaintiff failed to establish the defendant’s negligence as the proximate cause of the accident, saving the client from costly litigation expenses.
- Advised a manufacturing company on risk prevention strategies and assisted in the implementation of comprehensive safety protocols, resulting in a significant reduction in premises liability claims and associated financial losses for the client.
- Successfully defended commercial business from claims of improper installation of food preparation equipment that allegedly resulted in serious burn injuries to Plaintiff. Ultimately prevailed in demonstrating improper use of equipment resulted in Plaintiff’s injuries, leading to dismissal of action.
Professional, Trade & Philanthropic Affiliations
Mr. Gonzalez is a member of various committees and a volunteer with local charities, including but not limited to:
- Florida Board of Professional Engineers 2022-Present
- The Florida Bar (Real Property, Probate and Trust/Construction Law Committee)
- Florida Bar Young Lawyers Association
- Jacksonville Bar Association
- JBA – Young Lawyers Division Sports Commissioner
- Hispanic Bar Association – Duval County, FL – Board Member
- Pancreatic Cancer Action Network – Past Affiliate Chair
- First Coast Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Mr. Gonzalez has also lectured at The University of Florida on topics relative to the practice of business law and contract negotiations.
- “Construction Lien Law,” NEFBA CBRC Brew Chat, 2024
- “Construction Lien Law,” Lunch and Learn presentation 2023
- “Construction Lien Law,” Lunch and Learn presentation, 2022
- “The Fine Print,” Business and Employment Contract review lecture, 2019
Recent Changes to Florida Homeowners’ Construction Recovery Fund
Understanding the Impact of Association Fees on Florida Condo Owners
Cobb & Gonzalez is Recognized in the 2025 Edition of Best Lawyers
Navigating the FTC’s Ban on Non-Competes: What it Means for Businesses in Florida: Part II
Navigating the FTC’s Ban on Non-Competes: What it Means for Businesses in Florida: Part 1
Assignment of Benefits – Part 2 – Limitations and Requirements under an Assignment of Benefits
Assignment of Benefits Blog series – Part 1
Business Records Request- Court Intervention
Business Records Requests- A Member’s Demand and Company’s Response
Florida’s Construction Lien Laws: Final Payment Affidavit
Florida’s Construction Lien Laws: Owner’s Contest of Lien
Florida’s Construction Lien Laws: A Party’s Right to Information – Statement of Subcontractors
Florida’s Construction Lien Laws: A Party’s Right to Information – Sworn Statement of Account
Florida’s Construction Liens Laws: The Claim of Lien
Florida’s Construction Lien Laws: Notice to Owner- Does the Notice Contain the Proper Language?
Florida’s Construction Lien Laws: Notice to Owner-The Who, What, and When