James R. Haug, Jr.

James R. Haug, Jr. is a Director at Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC in Burlington, Vermont. James works in Captive Insurance, Business Law, and Professional Liability & Regulation. He has served as Claims Counsel to MPC Insurance, Ltd., an insurer of law firms, for more than 30 years. His practice centers on coordinating the defense and management of lawyers’ malpractice claims across multiple jurisdictions.

James earned his J.D. from Cornell Law School, where he was the Cuccia Cup Moot Court Champion. He received his B.A., cum laude, from the University of Pittsburgh. His legal education supports the analysis and advocacy involved in professional liability disputes. He is admitted in Pennsylvania and Vermont and before the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and District of Vermont.

James has helped manage litigation arising from an escrowed settlement error in the United Kingdom and claims connected with the collapse of Cayman Islands investment funds. He has coordinated communications among defense counsel, excess insurers, and reinsurers and assisted with settlement funding. His experience also includes managing a German bankruptcy proceeding and participating in the defense of a malpractice case in Los Angeles Superior Court.

James R. Haug, Jr. also serves as General Counsel to Downs Rachlin Martin. James’s professional activities include the Defense Research Institute, Pennsylvania Bar Association, Vermont Bar Association, and ABA Standing Committee on Attorney Malpractice. He has presented at legal malpractice conferences and regularly participates in MPC claims and risk management seminars. His work emphasizes coordination among the lawyers and insurers responsible for addressing complex professional liability claims.

Law Office Affiliations

• Attorney, Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC
• Member, Pennsylvania Bar Association
• Member, Vermont Bar Association
• Member, ABA Standing Committee on Attorney Malpractice
• Former, Justice of the Peace
• Former Director, Burlington Country Club
• Member, Defense Research Institute
• Former, Scoutmaster
• Former, Volunteer Sports Coach

Licensed State

• Pennsylvania
• Vermont

Education

• Cornell Law School
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• University of Pittsburgh
  Bachelor of Arts (BA) Cum Laude

Awards & Badges