James D’Cruz

Associate

Orlando Office

jdcruz@balljanik.com

T: 407.544.2208

Overview

James D’Cruz is an associate in Ball Janik LLP’s Construction Defect Practice Group, based in Orlando. He focuses on construction defect claims and is well-versed in investigations, handling disputes, and advanced negotiation strategies. He has an extensive background in civil litigation and government contracts.

Prior to joining Ball Janik, James held senior associate positions at AMLAW 100 firms in Florida and Texas, representing global defense contractors, financial institutions, and energy firms in litigation, resulting in multimillion-dollar damage recovery awards. James started his legal career as a prosecutor for the State Attorney’s Office for the 9th Judicial Circuit of Florida where he was a member of the Felony Domestic Violence Bureau and the Animal Cruelty Unit.

James also serves as a Captain in the United States Army Judge Advocate Generals Corp. He is currently assigned to the 13th Legal Operations Detachment with duties at the Defense Institute of International Legal Studies (DIILS) to include instructing foreign military partners on topics of international law and the laws of armed conflict as mandated by Congress.

James is a member of the statewide board of directors for the Florida Association of Veteran Owned Businesses (FAVOB), which works to increase opportunities for veterans to succeed as business owners throughout the State. He has also been recognized with the American Bar Association’s Military Pro Bono Project Outstanding Services Award.

James’ legal experience and mission-driven legal approach—refined by his military service—make him a skilled litigator whose first priority is always his client’s needs.

Education

J.D., 2017, Harvard Law School
B.A., magna cum laude, International Relations, 2014 Florida International University

Honors

American Bar Association Military Pro Bono Project Outstanding Services Award, 2024

Board Member

Florida Association of Veteran Owned Businesses (FAVOB)

Member

Orange County Bar Association
Florida Bar Association, 2017-Present
Texas Bar Association, 2021-Present

Kelly Corcoran is an insurance coverage attorney focused on resolving complex insurance coverage disputes on behalf of individual and corporate policyholders in their pursuit to recover claims. He has significant experience in handling construction defect coverage issues involving commercial and residential buildings including apartment complexes, condominiums, and single-family homes, as well as other coverage issues involving personal injury and property damage claims. Mr. Corcoran was selected to the Florida Rising Stars list, published in Super Lawyers Magazine, 2016-2018. Each year, no more than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor.

Before joining Ball Janik LLP, Mr. Corcoran served as coverage counsel for several national insurers, in which he gained invaluable experience in understanding how insurance companies defend themselves in legal battles with claimants and policyholders. His experience includes litigating disputes arising under commercial, homeowners, automobile and general liability policies.

Mr. Corcoran has been involved with coverage issues ranging from improperly installed roofs, fire sprinkler systems, curtain wall systems, and post-tension cables to large multi-district litigation involving Chinese drywall and FEMA Formaldehyde Travel Trailers. Mr. Corcoran is well-versed in primary and excess insurance policies, policy interpretations, as well as insurance policies covering subcontractors and additional insureds. He has numerous published opinions in the areas of tort and insurance law, including Claudio v. Regaldo, 116 So.3d 451 (Fla. 2d DCA 2013).

Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Corcoran was a partner in the second oldest law firm in Florida, Walton Lantaff Schroeder & Carson LLP. On a personal note, Mr. Corcoran enjoys spending his free time with his wife, daughter, son, and two dogs.