James J. Zink

Combining Knowledge of Legal Processes and a Knack for Strategy with a Commitment to Helping Others

For as long as he can remember, James Zink has wanted to make his life about helping others. From his youth participation in community projects to his part-time work at legal clinics during law school, that core mandate of service to others has informed James's decisions and actions every step of the way. 

Shortly after graduating from law school and passing the bar in 2007, James took a job at Florida Rural Legal Services, a firm servicing low-income individuals in Palm Beach County. From landlord-tenant disputes to employment discrimination matters, mortgage foreclosure, and unemployment compensation, his nine years with the organization showed James the positive effect one could have on the life of another simply by showing up for them, hearing their story, and advocating for them. “By the time I'd left Florida and moved back to my home state of Ohio, I'd helped some 1,600 people, and I was ready to bring that same passion for service to my next job,” said James, reflecting on his career trajectory.

Dedicated to Service: From the Office to the Courtroom

James joined NRS Injury Law in 2018 and dove into workers' compensation law, knowing this was the perfect niche where he could help injured workers who needed representation. “I've always gravitated to jobs and career roles that were people-focused and service-based,” said James. “Whether it was assisting at a legal clinic that focused on mortgage fraud while in law school, working for the firm in West Palm Beach, or practicing law here at NRS Injury Law, in every role I've had, I've sought to make my job one of service and one of helping others.”

But practicing workers' comp law was just the beginning. James's work ethic and dedication to his team earned him a position managing much of the firm's workers’ comp cases. In addition to his docket of weekly hearings, James began overseeing a pod of attorneys, case managers, paralegals, and legal assistants. James has an eye for strategy and functionality, so he quickly became integrally involved in developing the firm's internal processes into streamlined systems that maximize client results.

Inspired by Results: From Clients to Fellow Employees

“Beyond overseeing my own caseload and scheduling our 275 to 300 cases per week, I've also taken immense joy in training the new hires at the firm,” said James, detailing his day-to-day at the office. “These moments matter. NRS Injury Law is the largest workers' comp firm in the state because of how we've arranged our firm and the incredible results we get for our clients, so training our employees and giving them the tools and know-how they need to excel here is very important to me.”

In addition to implementing strategic and methodical processes into his legal casework and in his role at the firm, James also lives for the crucial day-to-day tasks and important work required to meet his client’s needs. “Workers' comp is a bit different from other legal areas,” says James. “You can be more creative with it. You can help your client to the best of your abilities because the workers' comp framework allows for nuance, detail, and compassionate, dedicated representation.”

Community Involvement:

Since childhood, James has known he wanted to spend his life in service of others, in finding ways to make the world a better place. James picked an excellent career for it, but his life goal manifests outside the office, too. James volunteers alongside other NRS Injury Law employees and partners at Miracle League, Ohio's happiest acre. Miracle League is an adaptive baseball diamond designed for children and adults with special needs. James also participates in the firm's annual turkey giveaway, and he volunteers at the Ohio Association of Justice Day of Giving. James is also active with local food banks and church-organized clothing drives. Every time he can, James brings his children with him to volunteer, teaching them the value of being of service to the community.

Work/Life Balance:

Free time is a scarcity in the life of a committed workers’ comp attorney, but with a son and a daughter, openings in James’s schedule are happily filled with family activities. James coaches his son’s travel baseball team, and he’s involved in his daughter’s gymnastics and Scouts activities. James and his son play tennis and are dedicated baseball fans. James and his daughter regularly attend plays and musicals together at the theater. The occasional rain or snow day will find James enjoying a quiet afternoon with his family at their home in Shaker Heights, Ohio.

Don't Wait to Seek Legal Help from James Zink

James wears many hats at the firm, but he is best known for his persistent dedication to the firm's clients. That dedication informs and drives every one of his actions, from training new hires to managing cases to advocating in the hearing room to leveraging experience, strategy, and compassion to help other employees and improve the firm's internal processes. In a word (or in five words), James embodies the firm's core values of Compassion, Excellence, Integrity, Patience, and Professionalism. To retain an effective legal team with a proven track record and to speak with James and the firm about your case, call 855-GOT-HURT or fill out a convenient online contact form.