James Tawney

James Tawney is a partner and co-founder of Tawney, Acosta & Chaparro P.C., where he represents injury victims and families across New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona. Tawney focuses on plaintiff-side personal injury litigation, including truck accidents, car crashes, catastrophic injuries, brain injuries, workplace accidents, product liability, and wrongful death. His practice emphasizes trial preparation and practical advocacy for clients facing serious physical, financial, and personal consequences after an accident.

Tawney graduated summa cum laude from Northern Arizona University before earning his J.D. magna cum laude from Texas Tech University School of Law. During law school, he received multiple awards for academic excellence, participated actively in trial advocacy, and served as lead articles editor of the Estate Planning & Community Property Law Journal, where he also published. His academic and advocacy training provided a strong foundation for complex injury litigation and courtroom work.

After law school, Tawney began his legal career at an El Paso plaintiff’s personal injury firm, representing injured clients and families throughout New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona. In 2016, he co-founded Tawney, Acosta & Chaparro P.C. His practice includes serious truck and motor vehicle cases and other high-value injury matters. He is board certified in Truck Accident Law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy and is admitted in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, as well as several federal courts.

James Tawney has been recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star, a National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 attorney, and an Albuquerque Business First 40 Under Forty honoree. His profile also lists membership in the American Board of Trial Advocates and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Tawney has served with state trial-lawyer organizations and on a Texas pattern jury charge committee, reflecting continued involvement in trial practice and plaintiff advocacy.

Law Office Affiliations

• Founding Partner, Tawney, Acosta & Chaparro P.C.
• Member, National Board of Trial Advocacy
• Member, American Board of Trial Advocates
• Member, Texas Trial Lawyers Association, Board of Directors
• Board Member, New Mexico Trial Lawyers Association

Licensed State

• New Mexico
• Texas
• Arizona

Education

• Texas Tech University School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Northern Arizona University
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges