James Kovacs is a persuasive litigator focusing his practice in the areas of appellate law, construction, general liability, and insurance coverage.

James brings a practical approach to each case and is adept at thinking about issues from different perspectives. He represents clients in all litigation phases, from filing and answering complaints to arguing at the appellate courts. James provides each client with the same detail-oriented focus regardless of whether he is reviewing documents or first-chairing a trial. James has practical experience representing insurance carriers and insureds in various matters, including complex, multi-party, multi-issue litigation in Minnesota state and federal courts, Iowa, and Wisconsin. He has experience in all aspects of litigation, including preparing initial case evaluations, taking depositions, and researching, drafting, and arguing dispositive motions. In many cases, James has been lead counsel. He obtained a favorable verdict in a bench trial and successfully argued a case at the Minnesota Court of Appeals.

Prior to joining Bassford Remele, James served as a law clerk to the Honorable Krista K. Martin at Minnesota’s Tenth Judicial District. He graduated from the University of St. Thomas School of Law, where he was an Executive Board Member on the Journal of Law and Public Policy.

Education

• University of St. Thomas School of Law, J.D., 2015
  • Dean’s Award
  • Journal of Law and Public Policy, Executive Board Member and Director of Public Relations
• Winona State University, B.S., 2011

Bar Admissions

• U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit
• U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota
• Minnesota
• Iowa
• Wisconsin

Judicial Clerkships

• Minnesota Tenth Judicial District, the Honorable Krista K. Martin, Judicial Law Clerk, 2015-2016

Bar Associations

• Minnesota State Bar Association
  • Appellate Practice
  • Civil Litigation Section
  • Construction Law Section
• State Bar of Wisconsin
• Iowa State Bar Association
• Hennepin County Bar Association

Professional Associations

• Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association
• Associated General Contractors of Minnesota

Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, Insurance Law and Personal Injury Litigation, 2025 ed.

• The Corporate Transparency Act Is On Appeal! How That Impacts Your Business Plans, co-author with K. Willems and W. Reece, Associated General Contractors of Minnesota, June 2024
• An Important Change to Minnesota’s Anti-Indemnity Statute and What It Means for Minnesota Construction Companies, co-author with K. Willems, Associated General Contractors of Minnesota, June 2023