James T. Hargrove, Esq.

1952-2024. In Memoriam

Our colleague and friend Jim Hargrove passed away recently.

An accomplished insurance law attorney and litigator with a deep background in the insurance industry, Jim was a native of Indiana and long-time resident of Gloucester.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in theater, had remarkably wide-ranging interests, and was an avid and experienced sailor.

Curious, earnest, and engaging, Jim was generous with his thoughts, loved to collaborate with his colleagues in the Firm, and was always ready to lend a hand.

Jim – We are so glad to have known you and to have worked closely with you. You will be missed.

Work With Clients

Mr. Hargrove’s litigation included personal and commercial property, personal and commercial liability, environmental liability, directors’ and officers’ liability, errors and omissions liability, fidelity and surety, and inland and ocean marine. He represented commercial insureds as well as many major domestic and foreign insurers including Underwriters at Lloyds, London. In addition to his trial work, Mr. Hargrove consulted with insurers and insureds regarding the drafting and interpretation of insurance policies and alternative methods of managing risks.

Over the years, Mr. Hargrove tried numerous cases to verdict in state and federal Courts, ranging from arson and fraud defense to fish mortality claims in jurisdictions from Maine to California. He argued matters before the Massachusetts Appeals Court, Connecticut Appeals and Supreme Courts, and the Federal First and Second Circuits. Prior to joining Brooks & DeRensis, Mr. Hargrove was counsel at Deutsch Williams, a shareholder at Goulston & Storrs, PC, and a partner at Morrison Mahoney LLP.

Professional Activities

Mr. Hargrove was admitted to practice in Massachusetts and admitted before the Federal District Courts of Massachusetts, Maine, Connecticut, New York, Vermont, and Michigan. He was admitted to practice before the Federal First and Second Circuit Courts of Appeal. He had been admitted pro hac vice in the state courts of Maine, Connecticut, New York, Nevada, Louisiana, and California. Mr. Hargrove acted as a trial advisor for the Harvard Law School Trial Advocacy Workshop, as a judge for the Suffolk University Law School Moot Court Board, and as a judge for the ATLA (now American Association for Justice) National Student Trial Advocacy Competition.

Personal and Community Activities

He also volunteered in Scene Design and Construction for the Manchester Essex Regional Schools. In addition, he taught at the University of Windsor, Ontario, while in the MFA program at Wayne State University, as well as an instructor at Northeastern University.

Education

Mr. Hargrove held a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre from Loyola University in Chicago and received his Juris Doctorate from Suffolk University Law School.