About James Amaro
James Amaro founded the Amaro Law Firm in 2005 to help people and businesses facing life-changing losses hold negligent parties accountable.
Over the last 20 years, James Amaro has earned an outstanding reputation nationwide as a highly skilled attorney and a tenacious trial lawyer in personal injury cases, business disputes, insurance claims, hurricane claims, and commercial litigation.
He leads with integrity, professionalism, and compassion, offering clear guidance during moments when life feels uncertain.
James Amaro’s commitment to excellence and justice is reflected in every case the firm takes on, pairing strategic advocacy with genuine care for the people behind each case.
Landmark Cases and Major Litigation
Shortly after founding the Amaro Law Firm, James Amaro represented the victims of the BP refinery explosion in Texas City, one of the worst industrial disasters in U.S. history.
A few years later, he litigated one of the first cases stemming from Hurricane Ike in 2008 and went on to resolve numerous claims for homeowners and commercial clients just before trial.
In 2010, James Amaro went up against BP again, representing thousands of cleanup workers and small businesses who experienced devastating losses from the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
These high-stakes cases have cemented his status as a formidable litigator who is not afraid to pursue accountability, even when the opponent is a major corporation.
These days, James Amaro continues to handle complex litigation, working to help clients seek fair outcomes and regain a sense of stability after profound loss.
Early Career
Before founding Amaro Law Firm, James Amaro worked as a defense attorney at large national defense firms in both Texas and Wisconsin, practicing across a broad range of areas, including insurance coverage, construction law, real estate law, toxic torts, product liability, commercial litigation and arbitration, and personal injury and wrongful death.
This early experience on the defense side gave James Amaro critical insight into the strategies of insurance companies and defense firms — knowledge he now leverages to advocate for plaintiffs and that laid the foundation for his client-focused, results-driven approach that has defined and inspired his practice for decades.
Education
James Amaro’s professional path was shaped by academic excellence, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a drive to make a meaningful impact.
He began his undergraduate studies at the University of Texas at Austin (UT), first pursuing chemical engineering before discovering an interest in economics, which set the foundation for his future in law.
While studying at UT, James Amaro interned with the Bechtel Corporation, reviewing process flow diagrams and developing a Visual Basic program for engineers. He also:
- Co-founded a popular internet-based business that offered marketing and social services to college students. The company quickly grew and was recognized for having one of the most visited student websites in Austin.
- Earned his real estate license at the age of 20, selling and leasing properties throughout the Austin area.
James went on to earn his J.D. from the University of Wisconsin Law School. There, he served as Managing Editor of the Wisconsin International Law Journal and was among the few students whose work was selected for publication. He also clerked for a federal judge, drafting legal opinions and gaining invaluable practical insight into complex legal reasoning.
Community Involvement
James Amaro is deeply committed to giving back. He believes we do great, so we can do good, meaning doing great work gives him the privilege of giving back to the community.
Guided by this philosophy, he and his wife, Angelica, co-founded Baseball for Babies™, a nationally recognized nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting premature babies and their families.
James Amaro also serves on several nonprofit and civic boards, including the University of Wisconsin Alumni Council, the Sugar Land Heritage Foundation, and the San Isidro Cemetery Association (vice president).
Beyond his nonprofit work, James Amaro, the Amaro family, and the Amaro Law Firm support academic scholarships for underprivileged youth and give back to the schools that shaped his educational journey. Their charitable efforts extend to immigrant support organizations, need-based outreach, and other local causes.
Personal Life
James Amaro was born and raised in Sugar Land, Texas, where his family’s history is rooted in both resilience and hard work.
His paternal grandmother came from a Sioux Indian reservation in North Dakota after meeting his grandfather, who had served in the Air Force in WWII. Other relatives immigrated during the Mexican Revolution.
Once in Texas, many of his family members worked for decades at the Imperial Sugar Refinery, shaping James Amaro’s strong work ethic and his unshakable empathy for others.
As a teenager, James Amaro worked as a ranch hand, a grocery bagger, a dishwasher, and a car washer to support himself and help his family.
Today, he and his wife, Angelica, are raising three children, surrounded by a large, loving family and several pets, including dogs, cats, and a horse. The Amaro Family enjoys weekly church services, time outdoors, traveling, charity work, music, and other activities.
Whether in or outside of the courtroom, James Amaro brings passion, integrity, and heart to everything he does.
Why Clients Trust James Amaro
James Amaro is more than just a personal injury attorney. He’s a steady advocate who walks with his clients through difficult moments, helping them understand each step and make decisions that honor what they’ve been through.
Clients trust James Amaro because:
- He brings invaluable knowledge from plaintiff and defense perspectives to every case, making him a highly effective strategist who helps clients anticipate challenges and understand their options.
- He has litigated extraordinarily complex cases, successfully representing clients against major corporations in contentious legal battles.
- He has integrity, clarity, and an unshakable commitment to doing what’s right are at the heart of every relationship he builds with his clients.
Whether you’ve been hurt in a motor vehicle accident, injured on the job, or mistreated by an insurance company, R. James Amaro offers a combination of experience, perspective, and grounded advocacy that helps clients move forward with confidence.
Admissions
- Texas, 2002
- Wisconsin, 2002
- Illinois, 2015
- Colorado, 2018
- New Mexico, 2022
- US. Supreme Court
- U.S. Court of Federal Claims
- U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin
- Pro Hac Vice Eastern District of Louisiana
Education
- University of Texas at Austin, B.A. in Economics, Minor in History
- University of Wisconsin at Madison Law School, J.D.
- University of Groningen — Groningen, Netherlands — International Law
Professional Affiliations & Memberships:
- Texas Trial Lawyers Association
- National Latino Trial Lawyers Association — President
- Houston Trial Lawyers Association
- Capital Area Trial Lawyers Association
- Dallas Trial Lawyers Association
- Association of Plaintiff Interstate Trucking Lawyers of America — National Advisory Board
- Texas Bar College Membership — Attorney
- Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys
- Mass Tort Trial Lawyers Association — The National Trial Lawyers
- American Association of Justice
- American Association of Justice — President’s Club Member
- American Association of Justice — Trucking Litigation Group
- American Association of Justice — Traumatic Brain Injury Group
- American Association of Justice — Motor Vehicle Collision Section
- American Association of Justice — Gulf Coast Oil Spill Litigation Group
Honors & Awards
- Super Lawyers (Personal Injury) by Thomson-Reuters (2016 — Present)
- Rated AV® Preeminent™ — by Martindale-Hubbell® (2006— Present)
- Top 25 Brain Injury Trial by National Trial Lawyers (2017 — Present)
- Top Attorneys in Texas — Texas Monthly (2016 — Present)
- Top Houston Personal Injury Attorney — Houstonia Magazine (2015, 2016, 2018 — Present)
- The Best Lawyers in America (Litigation — Insurance) — Best Lawyers® (2024-2027)
- The Best Lawyers in America (Personal Injury Litigation — Plaintiffs) — Best Lawyers® (2024-2027)
- The Best Law Firm (Tier 1 for Commercial Litigation) — Best Lawyers® (2025)
- The Best Law Firm (Tier 2 for Personal Injury Litigation — Plaintiffs) — Best Lawyers® (2025)
- Number 1 Jury Verdict (Automotive Premises Liability) — Top Verdict (2023)
- Top 20 Jury Verdicts (Personal Injury) — Top Verdict (2023)
- Top 50 Jury Verdicts (All Practice Areas) — Top Verdict (2023)
- Top 100 Jury Verdicts (Wrongful Death) — Top Verdict (2023)
- Top 100 Jury Verdicts (All Practice Areas) — Top Verdict (2015, 2019)
- Top 100 Super Lawyers in Houston — Thomson-Reuters (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023)
- Super Lawyers — Rising Stars (Personal Injury) by Thomson-Reuters (2014 — 2015)
- Top 10 National Latino Trial Lawyers by National Trial Lawyers (2017 — Present)
- Top 10 Trucking Trial Lawyers by National Trial Lawyers (2017 — Present)
- Top 40 Under 40 Injury Lawyers by National Trial Lawyers (2013 — 2016)
- Top 100 Trial Lawyer — by National Trial Lawyers (2011 — Present)
- Top 100 Trucking Trial Lawyers — The National Trial Lawyers (2018 — Present)
- Top 100 Lawyers by National Trial Lawyers (2015 — Present)
- Million Dollar Advocates Forum — by Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum (Life Member)
- Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum — by Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum (Life Member)
- Appellate Attorney of the Week — Texas Lawyer (2018)
- Elite Trial Lawyers — Consumer Protection Finalist — by The National Law Journal (2018)
- Nominee — Appellate Advocacy Award — by Pound Civil Justice Institute (2021)
- Best of Fort Bend — Fort Bend Independent (2023)
- The Best Readers’ Choice — Fort Bend Herald (2023)
- Readers’ Choice Winner — Fort Bend Star (2023)
Notable Appeals
- In re Kristensen, 2014 WL 3778903, No. 14-14-00448-CV (Tex.App. – Houston [14th Dist.] July 31, 2014, no pet.)
- Blevins v. Pepper-Lawson Constr., L.P., 2016 WL 5942220, No. 01-15-00820-CV (Tex.App.— Houston [1st Dist.] Oct. 13, 2016, no pet.)
- In re N. Cypress Med. Ctr. Operating Co., Ltd., 559 S.W.3d 128 (Tex. 2018)
- In re Chris Kilmer and Del Rio Const. Servs., No. 05-20-00814-CV (Tex. App.—Dallas [5th Dist.] Apr. 7, 2021)
















